Absence of the right wing of the ilium generated a compensatory scoliosis in rhesus monkey in captivity: diagnostic imaging and its alteration on the SEPNT.

BACKGROUND: Congenital scoliosis (CS) is defined as lateral curvatures of the spine provoked by the anomalous development of the vertebral bodies. It is associated with neuromuscular anomalies, which can be genetic, caused by the compensation of discrepancies in the length of the extremities or intrarachidian anomalies. METHODS: This study was carried out in 2-year-old female, showed alterations in the gait, mainly in the hind limbs, a clumsy gait and a slight claudication in the right hindlimb. To perform the imaging study were: X-Ray projections and Computerized Axial Tomography, neurophysiological evaluation was performed by means somatosensory-evoked potentials of the tibial nerve (SEPTN). RESULTS: The results showed an enlargement of the latencies from the L5 to the cortex, mainly in the left afference, correlated with the imaging studies. CONCLUSIONS: There is no doubt that the concurrent use of different diagnostic tools complements knowledge regarding the physiopathogenesis of these osteopathologies.

Changes in blood parameters in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) during the first trimester of gestation.

BACKGROUND: Regarding the good practice in the laboratory work, it is essential to have a broad spectrum of biochemical and hematological references in pregnant females to determine the health status of the colony. OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values to reveal changes in hematology and blood chemistry in pregnant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in their first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: Twenty-eight females in reproductive stage were used, divided into two groups: 14 pregnant macaques in their first trimester and 14 non-pregnant used as the control group. Blood samples were collected for the hematological test and blood chemistry. RESULTS: The results showed significant difference in the blood chemistry for the following parameters: glucose, total bilirubin, and total protein. The hematological evaluation revealed significant difference in leukocytes and neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer a reference range and provide a basis for improvement in techniques and refinement of clinical processes in these specimens.

Preliminary studies of neurosensory and cardiopulmonary health compromise in captive- bred Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) suffering scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: It has been widely documented that quadrupedal animals rarely display natural spontaneous scoliotic rachis deviations of the spinal column. The objective was to determine spinal deformities developed by geriatric monkeys of the Macaca mulatta species, by radiographical and tomographical studies of the vertebral column correlating morphological changes with altered physiological parameters and electrical neurosensorial conductivity of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of six geriatric monkeys was used: three non-scoliotic subjects and three monkeys with naturally acquired true scoliosis. RESULTS: Radiographic and tomographic studies depicted a thoracic curvature displaying a left-sided thoracic vertebral rotation. The evaluation of physiological parameters demonstrated significant differences in the respiratory rate, as it was observed for the diastolic blood pressures, which showed a decrease in the monkeys with scoliosis compared with healthy monkeys. Regarding the SEPs studies, the non-parametric test for independent samples Mann-Whitney U test displayed a significant difference observed at the left and right thoracic derivative in P1; while regarding the study of upper limbs, a significant difference was seen at the Erb's point derivative, left afferency in P1, showing in all the derivatives an increase in latency in monkeys with scoliosis versus monkeys in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that quadrupedal animals can develop true scoliosis showing an analogous way to that occurring in humans.

Somatosensory evoked potentials of median and tibial nerves in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) under captivity: influence of ontogenic status in neonatal, infant, young, adult, and senile stages.

BACKGROUND: Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) constitute a useful neurophysiologic tool commonly used to assess the functionality and developmental degree of the nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To analyze somatosensory pathways of the Macaca mulatta species throughout different ontogenetic statuses. METHODS: Twenty non-human primates were divided into five age-dependant groups. Recording of SEPs was executed by stimulation of lower limb at the tibial nerve and upper limb and recorded at the median nerve. RESULTS: Two wave series were observed for all groups for both limbs studied. Significant differences were found at the upper right limb at C4, C7 and also for the antecubital fossa site. The lower limbs showed a single significant right-wing deflection. CONCLUSIONS: Differences found in signals generated by the nervous system in response to somatosensory stimuli among the studied groups are thought to be developmental in origin, as the most remarkable deviations were seen in younger monkeys.

Latencies obtained of the somatosensory evoked potentials of the median and tibial nerve in rhesus monkey undergoing intrauterine laminectomy to simulate myelomeningocele.

BACKGROUND: Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been described as excellent indicators of the degree of medullar injury in degenerative and metabolic diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) is 6 cases/10,000 live newborns worldwide. It is thought that genetic as well as environmental factors contribute to the etiology of NTD. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the latencies obtained by means of SSEP in a clinically healthy monkey vs. rhesus monkeys with intrauterine surgery in order to simulate surgically the neural tube defect (myelomengocele) by performing an intrauterine laminectomy and in which later the defect was corrected. METHODS: This study was performed using three non-human primates of the Macaca mulatta species. There were practice intrauterine surgeries in two monkeys to simulate the neurological defect produced by myelomeningocele, using the third monkey as control. For statistical methodology four monkeys were used. They were born by natural birth without any surgical manipulation. With the cesarean-obtained products, stimulation was performed of the tibial and median nerve. RESULTS: We observed that the hind limbs were the most affected, in particular, the left afferent of the monkey. The spinal cord was exposed to amniotic fluid, and there were no significant differences in the forelimbs. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SSEP provides valuable information regarding preservation of sensorial functions in a variety of experimental neurological abnormalities.

Visuomotor functions and intelligence subsequent to strabismus treatment. Second phase.

BACKGROUND: Strabismus has been related to different alterations of brain functions and learning in children. Early treatment for visuomotor functions may improve the executive areas of intelligence. We undertook this study to demonstrate changes of visuomotor function and intelligence in children after strabismus treatment. METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients with strabismus, before and after treatment. We applied the Human Figure Test, Visuomotor Bender Test, and Intelligence Test. RESULTS: We included nine children with an average age of 8.7 years (± 2.4 years). Stereopsis result was 724 arc sec. Visual acuity was 0.16 logMAR ± 0.15. Verbal intelligence was 91.1 ± 11, executive intelligence (EI) was 86.7 ± 8, and global intelligence (GI) was 91 ± 10. Correlation coefficient of EI was significantly related to stereopsis (-0.2), visual acuity (-0.1) and Bender (-0.1). GI results were higher than statistical prognosis (88.16 for x = 90). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated improvement in binocularity and psychoadaptive areas related to EI after strabismus and amblyopia treatment.