HEMATOLOGIC REFERENCE INTEVALS FOR SPIDER MONKEYS (ATELES GEOFFROYI) IN MANAGED CARE WITH RESPECT TO SEX AND AGE.

The determination of health status in spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) that are held in managed care requires periodic evaluation. The present study obtained baseline data on hematologic values, body weight, and length in A. geoffroyi. A total of 118 individuals from three housing centers were included in the study and grouped into two categories by age (92 adults, 26 juveniles) and sex (46 males, 72 females). Body weight, red blood cell (RBC) counts, and hemoglobin counts were significantly higher in adult males than in adult females. No differences in length were found between sex and age groups. The present findings indicate that hematologic values by age and sex in A. geoffroyi are similar to those reported in other spider monkey populations in both managed care and the wild. These results will be useful as a reference for young individuals and adults in future studies of the health of this species.

Acute effect of an infusion of Montanoa tomentosa on despair-like behavior and activation of oxytocin hypothalamic cells in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In Mexican traditional medicine, Montanoa tomentosa (Mt) has been used as a remedy for reproductive impairments and mood swings. In pre-clinical research, both the extract and some of its active metabolites have produced oxytocinergic-like effects on female reproductive organs; however, there are no detailed studies of its effects on mood swing and brain structures. The aim of this study, was to analyze the behavioral effects of acute administration of a Mt infusion on male rats, during the Open Field (OFT) and Forced Swim (FST) Tests, and their association with the activation of oxytocin (OXT) cells, indicated by Fos protein (Fos/OXT) in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON). EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: 52 adult male Wistar rats were assigned to two conditions; with FST (n = 8), or without (n = 5). Each integrated condition included four groups [Control, Vehicle, Fluoxetine (Flx; 10 mg/kg), and Mt (50 mg/kg), p.o.]. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Mt and Flx treatment produced an anti-despair-like effect on the FST, but no significant changes in locomotor activity. Also, the Mt infusion -but not Flx-significantly increased the number of Fos/OXT cells in the PVN and SON, regardless of the condition, compared to the control and vehicle groups. These results show that Mt, but not Flx, produces an anti-despair-like effect that could be associated with the activation of OXT cells in PVN and SON. This study thus contributes to our knowledge of the pharmacological activity of Mt infusions, which could be a natural antidepressant agent with future clinical relevance.

Oxytocin neuron activation by acute infusion of Montanoa genus plants in the Wistar rats / Activación de neuronas de oxitocina por la infusión aguda de plantas del género de Montanoa en la rata Wistar

In tradition al Mexican medicine, plants from the Montanoa genus, family Asteraceae ( Montanoa tomentosa , Montanoa grandiflora , and Montanoa frutescens ) have been used to induce labor owing to their uterotonic properties like those produced by oxytocin (OXT). However, w hether infusions of these plants can activate hypothalamic OXT - producing neurons is unknown. To test this possibility, five independent groups of Wistar rats (n=4) were included: intact, vehicle, and three groups that received 50 mg/kg p.o. of M. tomentosa , M. grandiflora , and M. frutescens infusions, respectively. Ninety min after treatment, the brains were obtained and processed using double - labeled immunohistochemistry for Fos protein and oxytocin (Fos/OXT - ir). Rats that received Montanoa infusions had s ignificantly greater number of Fos/OXT - ir cells in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, with respect to intact and vehicle groups. These findings demonstrate that Montanoa infusions activated OXT neurons, an effect that may be related to the reported pharmacological properties.

En la medicina tradicional mexicana, plantas del género Montanoa , familia Asteraceae ( Montanoa tomentosa , Montanoa grandiflora y Montanoa frutescens ), se han utilizado para inducir el parto debido a sus propiedades uterotónicas, aparentemente similares a las producidas por la hormona oxitocina (OXT). Sin embargo, se desconoce si las infusiones de estas plantas pueden activar neuronas hipotalámicas productoras de OXT. Para probar esta posibilidad, se incluyeron cinco grupos independientes (n=4): intacto, vehículo y tres grupos que recibieron 50 mg/kg p.o. de infusiones de M. tomentosa , M. grandiflora , y M. frute scens , respectivamente. Noventa minutos después del tratamiento, los cerebros fueron obtenidos y procesados por doble marcaje de inmunohistoquímica para la proteína Fos y oxitocina (Fos/OXT - ir). Las ratas que recibieron infusiones de Montanoa aumentaron si gnificativamente el número de células Fos/OXT - ir en los núcleos paraventricular (PVN) y supraóptico (SON), respecto a los grupos intacto y vehículo. Estos hallazgos demuestran que las infusiones de Montanoa activan neuronas de OXT, lo que podría estar rela cionado con sus propiedades farmacológicas