【Animal Modeling】-Establishment and discussion of the body condition evaluation system of rhesus monkeys

  Objective: In order to timely understand the health status of artificially caged macaques, quickly discover the problems existing in feeding and management, and provide reasonable feeding and management plans for the artificially-bred macaque units, and initially establish an evaluation system for the health status of macaques.

  Methods: Combined with more than ten years of experience in the feeding and management of rhesus monkeys, more than 500 rhesus monkeys raised by the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences were selected as the research objects. Age and animal obesity are the main evaluation indicators for scoring, and the current body condition of animals is divided into four grades: "Fine", "Good", "Normal" and "Bad" according to the comprehensive score.

  RESULTS: A simple and highly operable body condition evaluation system for caged rhesus monkeys was established; it could effectively reduce artificial, one-sided, and subjective judgments, and use quantitative methods for evaluation.

  Conclusion: The health status evaluation system of rhesus monkeys established in this study provides a scientific basis for the feeding and management, disease prevention and control of rhesus monkeys.