Vitamin C deficiency in captive nonhuman primates fed commercial primate diet

Lab Anim Sci. 1990 Mar;40(2):165-8.

Abstract

Scurvy was diagnosed in 19 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and four squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) from a colony of nonhuman primates maintained on a commercial diet. Signs of weakness, reluctance to move, gingival hemorrhage, bruising, proximal and distal metaphyseal fractures, weight loss and anemia appeared in juvenile and young adult rhesus monkeys over a 2 week period. Clinical signs subsided after 5 days of vitamin C therapy. At the same time, cephalohematomas and weakness developed in squirrel monkeys, which failed to respond to treatment. These cases were associated with manufacturer's admitted error in preparation of the commercially prepared monkey diet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / complications
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / veterinary
  • Animal Feed*
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / analysis
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / etiology
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Monkey Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Monkey Diseases / etiology*
  • Radiography
  • Saimiri

Substances

  • Ascorbic Acid