Basic Physiology of Macaca mulatta

The rhesus macaque (. Macaca mulatta) is an Asian Old World nonhuman primate species frequently used in biomedical research, predominately in the study of neuroscience, infectious disease, immunology, and reproductive physiology. They are medium sized, have relatively stout bodies, and exhibit moderate sexual dimorphism. The average weight of males is 7.7. kg and of females is 5.3. kg. In the wild, they live in multimale/multifemale groups. Females form dominance hierarchies based on matrilineal kinship. They are seasonal breeders of relatively low fecundity, with a single infant produced per pregnancy. Gestation is 165 days and sexual maturity is reached at 3-5 years of age in females and 4-6 years of age in males. In this chapter, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, reproductive, immunologic, and gastrointestinal function, as well as methods of assessment and normal values, are reviewed.