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35. GROOMING-CONTACT CAGES PROMOTE AFFILIATIVESOCIAL INTERACTION IN INDIVIDUALLY HOUSED ADULTBABOONS.Carolyn M. Crockett and Kelly S. HeffernanRegional Primate Research Center, Box 357330, University of Washington,Seattle, WA 98195-7330.

A design for grooming-contact (G-C) bar panels allowing physical social contact forindividually housed longtailed macaques (Crockett et al., Contemp. Topics LAS 36(6):53–60, 1997) was modified to fit larger cages for adult baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Thewidely spaced vertical bars allow contact, including grooming, but prevent mating andpursuit into the other’s cage. Therefore, individuals have some control over contact. Acompatibility evaluation protocol was followed: (a) visual familiarization with potentialG-C partner, (b) preintroduction: one of two screened side-gates open, (c) initial introduc-tion: both side-gates open, providing access to G-C panels, (d) at least two more introduc-tion days with side-gates open only when an observer was present, (e) unsupervised daytimecontact, (f) 24-h access to G-C partner. Scan samples quantified time spent in groomingand other activities. Preliminary analysis of data from a subset of compatible pairs reach-ing stage (e) found that they spent an average of 8% of the time in social grooming. Pairsvaried greatly in latency to first social grooming, from minutes to weeks. Persistentlyaggressive pairs were judged incompatible. Ten of 14 G-C pairs evaluated beginning 11/96were compatible (7/11 female-female; 3/3 male-female); one M-F and two F-F pairs havebeen housed compatibly for 9+ months. NIH Grants RR00166 & RR04515.

36. DO MONKEYS WITH SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR (SIB)ACT IMPULSIVELY IN COGNITIVE TASKS?S.T. de Blois and M.A. NovakNew England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, MA 01772.

We attempted to characterize the cognitive skills of rhesus monkeys with self-injuri-ous behavior (SIB). Several studies point to increased impulsivity in monkeys with SIB.Therefore, one would expect monkeys with SIB to perform less well than controls oncognitive tasks that required vigilance. To test this hypothesis, we gave object perma-nence problems to rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with and without SIB. The experi-mental group consisted of 11 monkeys with a veterinary record of self-inflicted wounding.The control group consisted of 8 monkeys that did not exhibit SIB and matched insofar aspossible for age and room location. Testing consisted of three types of problems. On Invis-ible transfers, a treat was placed into one of the three boxes, the box was moved next toanother box, and the treat was transferred. Visible transfers were similar except thatspace was left between the two boxes so that the transfer could be observed. On No transferproblems, the object remained in the first box. Invisible transfers were most difficult becausethe monkeys had to infer that an object displacement occurred. SIB monkeys performed bet-ter than control monkeys on all problems and all but two SIB monkeys reached a successcriterion on Invisible transfers whereas only half of the control monkeys did. Thus, SIB mon-keys were superior to control monkeys on cognitive tasks requiring vigilance. These resultsquestion the idea that SIB monkeys are impulsive during cognitive testing.

37. WEANING AND MATERNAL RESPONSIVENESS TO DIS-TRESS CALLING AMONG FREE-RANGING RHESUS MON-KEYS ON CAYO SANTIAGO.B.J. DeVinney,1 C.M. Berman,1 and K.L.R. Rasmussen2

Abstracts / 1771Department of Anthropology, 380 MFAC Ellicott Complex, Box 610005,SUNY/Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14261-0005.2Laboratory of Comparative Ethology, NIH, Poolesville, MD 20837.

Parent–offspring conflict theory predicts conflict over suckling levels between moth-ers and infants, and specifically an increase in infant demand whenever levels of parentalinvestment are reduced below levels optimal for the infant. Bateson (1994) suggests that,rather than making static demands, mothers and offspring should be responsive to sig-naling regarding mutual need. This points to the importance of describing the character-istics of demanding infants and responsive mothers during the course of weaning. Thisstudy examines the conclusion of suckling among free-ranging yearling rhesus monkeys(Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago. Thirty-one subjects were observed during the 3 monthspreceding a younger sibling’s birth, using focal animal sampling methods. In general,time on the nipple, nipple contacts and nipple attempts declined significantly across thisperiod (p<.05). Nevertheless, some individuals displayed increases in time on the nippleand in distress calling during the ultimate and/or penultimate month of the mother’spregnancy. Relatively young yearlings spent significantly more time on the nipple thanothers (p<.05). Distress calling was positively correlated with nipple contacts indepen-dently of infant age (p<.05). Finally, yearlings with relatively low-ranking mothers spentrelatively more time on the nipple (p<.05). The results suggest that mothers who areclose to giving birth are responsive not only to distress calling but also to other indica-tions of vulnerability in their yearlings.

38. THE EFFECT OF TIME OF DAY ON BEHAVIOR IN NURS-ERY REARED RHESUS MACAQUE INFANTS.G.P. Dube, M. Champoux, C. Shannon, S. Higley, and S.J. SuomiLaboratory of Comparative Ethology, NIH Animal Center, P.O. Box 529,Poolesville, MD 20837.

Studies have demonstrated that in feral environments monkeys clearly display dif-ferent behavioral patterns depending on the time of day. In the laboratory in a constantenvironment it is less clear whether time of day influences behavior. Subjects were 14surrogate/peer-reared infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Animals were observedbetween Weeks 9 and 24 of life during peer socialization. Two 5-minute focal animal ses-sions were conducted each week, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Study datawere averaged into four 4-week blocks. Analyses of variance were conducted with Blockand Time of Day as repeated measures factors. Monkeys engaged in more passive behav-ior and social contact in the morning, but more locomotion in the afternoon (p<.05). Therewere no significant differences between morning and afternoon scores for the behaviorsenvironmental exploration, play, self directed, self-mouth, ventral cling, and vocalization.It is possible that the monkeys exhibit passive and social contact more in the morningbecause a period of resting is occurring immediately after feeding. The increase in loco-motion in the afternoon may be due to the monkeys having gone through a resting periodand therefore having higher energy levels. Apparently, the time of day does affect behav-ioral patterns among monkeys in laboratory environments, and this should be viewed asan important factor when conducting behavioral observations.

39. AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF DECEPTION IN SEMI-FREE-RANGING TONKEAN MACAQUES.A.M. Ducoing and B. ThierryLaboratoire d’Ethologie et Neurobiologie, CNRS-URA 1295, Université LouisPasteur, 7 rue de l’Université, 67000 Strasbourg, France.

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Our study was devised to put into evidence the occurrence of deceptive behaviors inTonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana). Four immature males were tested. They belongedto a semi free-ranging group raised at the Centre de Primatologie of Strasbourg. Subjectswere submitted to 120 tests during a three-month study period. Subjects had to find thelocation of a food item and were either tested singly or in pairs. Before releasing subjectsin the search task the experimenter prompted one of the subjects to observe where thebait was hidden. When in pairs, one of the subjects remained non informed about foodlocation. Using statistical comparison (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test), we found that wheninformed, higher-ranking subjects did not significantly alter their search patterns whethertested alone or in pairs. To the contrary, informed subordinate subjects modified the num-ber of pauses during their search for the baited spot when accompanied by a partner(p<.05). On a more qualitative level, it may be stated that subordinates used variousdeceptive tactics such as avoiding being followed, stopping when being watched,or takinga direction other than that where the bait is found. These results show that the subjectswere capable of manipulating their partners by concealing information from them.

40. PHENOTYPIC VARIATION AMONG SUBSPECIES OF CHIM-PANZEES (PAN TROGLODYTES).J.J. Ely,1 D. Rick Lee,2 T.F. Beck,2 M.E. Keeling,2 K. Mossman,3 A. Reeves-Daniel,3 and W.H. Stone3

1Trinity University, Department of Biology, 715 Stadium Drive, San Antonio,TX 78212-7200.2U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX.3Trinity University.

Chimpanzees are typically classified into 3 (or more) subspecies: Pan troglodytes verus(West Africa), P.t. troglodytes (Central Africa), or P.t. schweinfurthii (East Africa), basedon sequence differences in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Little is knownof any behavioral, morphological or physiological phenotypic characteristics which distin-guish one subspecies from another. Differences in well-defined genetic traits, if they exist,could be useful in the selection of specific animals for many research questions in prima-tology. We selected 53 wild-born chimpanzees, PCR-amplified a phylogeographically infor-mative, 313-bp section of the mtDNA control region, then sequenced the PCR product.Subspecies designations and probable geographical origins were ascertained by sequencehomology to previously characterized variants with known geographical origins; most wereWest African P.t. verus Up to 12 years of annual clinical data per individual were aver-aged for comparison among chimpanzees of different geographical origins, including 16blood count parameters and 22 clinical chemistry measurements. Analysis of variance isbeing used to assess the statistical significance of these parameters as biomarkers ofsubspecies identification. We are comparing subspecies assessments made by an experi-enced observer, who categorized these chimpanzees using a known member of each sub-species as a prototype, to our mtDNA results. Our analysis is assessing the taxonomicsignificance of chimpanzee subspecies by evaluating the differences in biologically impor-tant clinical parameters. (Supported by NIH grants RR-08083 and RR-03589)

41. GROUP LEADERSHIP AND FEEDING PRIORITY IN WILDPROPITHECUS DIADEMA EDWARDSI AND EULEMUR FULVUSRUFUS.E. M. Erhart and D. J. OverdorffDept. of Anthropology, University of Texas–Austin, Austin, TX 78712.

It has been hypothesized that female dominance and feeding priority evolved inprosimian primates in response to increased energetic demands experienced by females

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during reproduction. However, how these concepts are related has yet to be explored.Therefore, our aim was to examine female dominance and some aspects of feeding prior-ity in Propithecus diadema edwardsi and Eulemur fulvus rufus. We observed social inter-actions and first access to resources within two groups of P. d. edwardsi from June–July1996 and one group of E. f. rufus from May–July 1997 in southeastern Madagascar. Femalesin all groups initiated group movements significantly more often than males (p < .0001). Onespecific adult female in each group of each species was primarily responsible for initiatinggroup movements and were the first to arrive at the food source. Aggressive interactionsoccurred primarily in feeding contexts for E. f. rufus but were restricted to non-feeding con-texts in P. d. edwardsi. In neither species were females clearly and consistently dominant tomales. By influencing group movements, females can potentially improve their foraging effi-ciency and maintain feeding priority in the absence of dominance by insuring that they arrivefirst to the food source. This in turn, may ultimately influence reproductive success.

42. DEVELOPMENT OF COMPARATIVE NEUROBIOLOGY OFAGING RESOURCE: PROGRESS DURING YEAR ONE OF THEGREAT APE AGING PROJECT.J. Erwin,1 M. Bloomsmith, S. Boysen, P. Hof, R. Holloway, L. Lowenstine,R. McManamon,E. Nimchinsky, D. Perl, M. Reite, W. Young, andAdrienne Zihlman1Division of Neurobiology and Behavior, Bioqual, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850-3336.

A comparative neurobiology of aging resource is being developed to amplify under-standing of normal aging processes and promote prevention and treatment of neurode-generative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The project involvesidentification of the oldest great apes in the U.S., conducting systematic observation toobtain behavioral profiles, cognitive evaluations when possible, establishment of an archiveof video recordings of locomotor behavior, and detailed neuropathology and neurobiologystudies of brains following natural death in zoological gardens, research centers, and re-tirement sanctuaries. Brain banking procedures are modelled on those use for humanbrain banks established to study neurodegenerative diseases. During 1997 45 great apesthat were 40 years of age or older were identified. All institutions in which they werehoused agreed to participate in the Great Ape Aging Project. The brain bank has beenestablished with specimens from >20 chimpanzees, three gorillas, and an orangutan. CNStissue received so far is from great apes ranging from 1 day to 45 years of age at the timeof death. This project is entirely noninvasive and makes brain tissue that might other-wise be wasted available for qualified research projects. A distinguished Advisory ReviewBoard has been established to evaluate proposals to use the resource. The first year of theproject included a feasibility study and planning for years two and three (Phase II). Withfeasibility clearly established, the project will be extended to include great apes with birthyears of 1960 and earlier. This project has been supported by a grant from the USPHS/NIAAG14308-01 from the National Institute Aging to Bioqual, Inc., J. Erwin, PI. We gratefullyacknowledge the more than 25 institutions that have agreed to participate in this project.

43. CSF 5-HIAA ASSOCIATED WITH INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCESIN MATERNAL PROTECTIVENESS IN VERVET MONKEYS.L.A. Fairbanks, W.P. Melega, and M.T. McGuireDepartment of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, NeuropsychiatricInstitute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Primate females show stable individual differences in maternal protectiveness, withthe most protective mothers exhibiting the most anxiety. In humans, serotonergic activity

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has been implicated in anxiety disorders, and an inverse relationship has been foundbetween anxiety level and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), a serotonin metabolite, incerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To determine whether serotonergic activity is related to indi-vidual differences in maternal protectiveness in vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiopssabaeus), CSF samples were collected from 27 mothers living in social groups at theSVAMC/UCLA Nonhuman Primate Research Facility. Mother-infant interactions for eachdyad were observed during six 5-min observation periods per week from birth to 6 monthsof age. Cisternal CSF samples were drawn on a single occasion when infants were be-tween 4 and 8 months old. An index of maternal protectiveness was calculated from thefrequency that mothers restrained, approached, made contact and inspected their infants.CSF samples were assayed for 5-HIAA and homovanillic acid (HVA), a dopamine metabo-lite. The results showed a significant inverse relationship between 5-HIAA and maternalprotectiveness (r=–.40, p<.05). Mothers who were high in protectiveness had low levels of 5-HIAA. The relationship was even stronger when the 5-HIAA/HVA ratio was used (r=–.55,p<.01). These results are consistent with the view that serotonin activity in the centralnervous system plays a role in the regulation of anxiety in female primates.

44. PREPARTUM ESTROGEN LEVELS IN FEMALE MARMO-SETS (CALLITHRIX KUHLI): DESCRIPTION AND TEST OF ALINK WITH INFANT SURVIVORSHIP.J.E. Fite and J.A. FrenchNebraska Behavioral Biology Group, Department of Psychology, University ofNebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182-0274.

Recent studies have demonstrated a link between prepartum sex steroid hormones,and infant survivorship and levels of maternal behavior. To test the cross-species general-ity of this finding, we monitored profiles of estradiol (E2), progesterone (PdG), and E2:PdGratios throughout pregnancy in black tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix kuhli). Addition-ally, we wanted to determine the extent to which variability in maternal carrying effortcould be explained by prepartum hormonal factors and parity. For each female (n=4), sexsteroid profiles were determined by EIA for at least one pregnancy in which infants sur-vived a minimum of 2 weeks postpartum and for at least one pregnancy in which infantsdid not survive. Unlike findings in other callitrichids, our analyses revealed no differ-ences in estrogen [F (1, 8)=0.61, N.S.], pregnanediol [F (1, 9)=0.05, N.S.], or E2:PdG ratios[F 1, 8)=1.85, N.S.] in females whose infants survived versus females whose infants didnot survive. In fact, females whose infants did not survive had greater overall prepartumestradiol values than those whose infants did survive. Multiple regression analysis ofpercent infant carrying behavior on prepartum hormone levels and parity was significantR2=.43 [F(1, 11)=8.26, p<.02]; only prepartum estradiol levels were significantly (and nega-tively) associated with variance in infant carrying behavior (β=–0.66, p<.02). Our find-ings thus fail to provide further support for hormonal priming of maternal behavior.Supported by NSF (IBN 92-09528, OSR 92-55225, and IBN 97-23842).

45. A COMPUTERIZED APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING, DIS-PENSING, AND MEASURING ALCOHOL CONSUMED BY INDI-VIDUAL MEMBERS OF A RHESUS MACAQUE SOCIAL GROUP.G. Flory, M. Linnoila, and J.D. HigleyNIHAC Bld 112, Rm 205, P.O. Box 529, Poolesvile, MD 20837-0529.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Laboratory of ClinicalStudies.

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We report the development of a novel, non-operant apparatus that can automaticallydispense solutions to socially-housed monkeys and record to an accuracy of one-tenth of amililiter the total volume of solution consumed by individual group members. The appa-ratus is computerized to identify individual monkeys using a microchip that is worn in aplastic collar that is fastened around the monkey’s neck. The computer recognizes indi-vidual monkeys as they approach one of five drinking stations in their home cage byscanners that are positioned above each station. During the past year, we have used thisapparatus to dispense an 8.4% v/v alcohol solution to a group of 13 socially housed rhesusmacaques. We found that, not only do the monkeys easily interact with the apparatus,but that within an hour, most subjects consume quantities of the alcohol solution suffi-cient to experience its intoxicating effects, producing at times blood alcohol levels thatexceed the legal limits that define intoxication for most states. This apparatus has al-lowed us to investigate a non-human primate model of socially-mediated unfettered alco-hol consumption which we believe will be an important tool in elucidating the variousbio-behavioral mechanisms that underlie human alcohol consumption and abuse.

46. PATTERNS OF POSITIONAL BEHAVIOR IN WHITE-FACEDCAPUCHIN MONKEYS (CEBUS CAPUCINUS): AN ANALYSISOF INDIVIDUAL LOCOMOTOR RECORDS AND SEQUENCESOF LOCOMOTOR BOUTS.P.A. Garber and B.W. WrightDepartment of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.

Studies of positional behavior provide critical insight into patterns of habitat utiliza-tion, diet, ecology, and travel in arboreal primates. In this paper we examine postural andlocomotor behavior in white-faced capuchins inhabiting the La Suerte Biological ResearchStation, Costa Rica (10°26´N, 83°47´W). Specifically, we focus on integrating two methodsof analysis: instantaneous focal animal sampling (IFA) which facilitates the collection ofdetailed information on the ecological context of posture and locomotion, and continuousfocal animal sampling (CFA) which offers the opportunity to collect information on se-quences of locomotor and postural behavior. During travel, quadrupedal walking (50%)and leaping (22.2%) dominated the capuchin positional repertoire. Walking occurred prin-cipally on medium diameter oblique supports in the central regions of the tree crown.Leaping was associated with bouts of hindlimb-dominated propulsion as well as tail-as-sisted descent. Data from continuous travel sequences indicate that capuchins commonlyused a series of leaps when crossing gaps in the forest canopy. Over 43% of all leaps werefollowed by a second leap. In 19% of the remaining cases, leaps were preceded by a boutof quadrupedal walking. Additional information on sequences of capuchin positional be-havior and the weight-bearing role of their prehensile tail are presented. These data indi-cate the value of using both IFA and CFA methods of data collection to fully define thepositional repertoire of a primate species.

47. FAILURE TO THRIVE SYNDROME IN SQUIRREL MONKEYINFANTS (SAIMIRI SPP.).S. Gibson, L. Williams, A. Brady, and C. AbeeDepartment of Comparative Medicine, College of Medicine, University ofSouth Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688.

Failure to thrive in human infants is characterized by a growth rate in weight andheight below the 3rd percentile. Psychosocial and parental factors, including child abuse,are the most common causes; however, different diseases including endocrine and meta-bolic abnormalities and malabsorption may contribute. Premature thymic involution due

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to stress and subsequent immunodeficiency occurs in failure to thrive infants with a his-tory of abuse. Approximately 3.2% of live born squirrel monkey infants (35/1096) wereaffected by a failure to thrive syndrome. Affected monkeys failed to gain weight and weresubject to opportunistic infections including cryptosporidiosis, candidiasis, and herpesvi-rus saimiri 1. Most died prior to six months of age. A small or absent thymus consistentwith premature thymic involution occurred in infants that died. Histologically, severethymic cortical atrophy, clustering of Hassell’s corpuscles and decreased medullary lym-phocytes were observed. Previous reproductive history of the dam, infant birth weight,infant condition at birth, and sex of the infant did not affect development of failure tothrive syndrome. Ninety-one percent of failure to thrive squirrel monkey infants had ahistory of maternal rejection, nursery care, and/ or multiple episodes of trauma. Therewas no common metabolic or endocrine abnormality. Failure to thrive syndrome in squir-rel monkeys appears to be due primarily to maternal neglect. Supported by NIH grantP40 RR01254.

48. SOCIAL EFFECTS ON ANOINTING BEHAVIOR IN CAPU-CHINS (CEBUS APELLA).Tina M. Gilbert, David A. Brown, and Sarah T. BoysenDepartment of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.

Capuchin monkeys have been observed to rub plant products on their hair in boththe wild and captivity, including anise, citrus, and other pungent substances. The presentstudy examines the effect of differing social situations on anointing behavior, using lem-ons, anise leaves, garlic, tobacco, onion, and jalopeno. Four animals were tested individu-ally, in separate dyads, or as two dyads with visual access. Each session was fifteen minutesduring which the duration of self-anointing, proximity of individuals, and a measure of‘‘vigor” (of anointing, on a scale of 0 to 5), were recorded from videotapes. Results indi-cated that Dyad 1, consisting of a male and female with a long-term (>6 yr.) relationship,exhibited more anointing behavior, and a significant increase when tested socially, com-pared to individual testing. Dyad 2, compromised of a newly introduced male and female,exhibited no anointing behavior when tested individually, and significantly less anointingoverall, compared with Dyad 1. These results suggest that self-anointing may be affectedby the social context and stress. Further studies of self-anointing in capuchins may pro-vide insights into contributions of social learning to its emergence.

49. DWARF AND MOUSE LEMURS AS PRIMATE MODEL OFBRAIN AGING: DISTRIBUTION OF AGE PIGMENTS.Emmanuel P. Gilissen, Russell E. Jacobs, and John M. AllmanCalifornia Institute of Technology, Division of Biology 216-76, Pasadena, CA91125.

Aged dwarf (Cheirogaleus medius) and mouse (Microcebus murinus) lemurs providea good model for the study of normal and pathological cerebral aging. Accumulation oflipofuscin, an age pigment derived by lipid peroxidation, constitutes the most reliablecytological change correlated with neuronal aging. Lipofuscin granules contain materialresulting from cell damage produced by oxidative stress or from the normal processes ofcellular metabolism. The present study was therefore undertaken to explore the distribu-tion of lipofuscin in the brain of cheirogaleids by autofluorescence. Brain sections of 4aged (8–15 year old) and 3 young (2–3 year old) animals were examined. We did note theaccumulation of lipofuscin in the old animals. The greatest lipofuscin accumulation wasin the basal forebrain, the hippocampus (granular and pyramidal cells), the cerebellum(Purkinje cells) and the olfactory bulb (mitral cells). They were also found in the neocor-tex (essentially in the pyramidal cells) and in the brainstem nerves. These data suggest

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that brain structures are not equally sensitive to the factors causing lipofuscin accumula-tion. The small size, the rapid maturity and the relatively short life expectancy of thecheirogaleids provide considerable advantages for investigations on the mechanisms oflipofuscinogenesis in primates. We thank Dr. Kenneth Glander, Duke Primate Center, forproviding the Microcebus brains.

50. THE ECOLOGY OF OLFACTORY COMMUNICATION INVENEZUELAN WHITE-FACED SAKIS.Terrence M. GleasonDepartment of Anthropology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130.

This study describes the ecological context of scent marking behavior in Venezuelanwhite-faced sakis, Pithecia pithecia. White-faced sakis have scent glands in the gular,sternal, and anogential regions. The olfactory apparatus includes nasopalatine ducts whichaccess a vomeronasal organ, though the extent to which this organ is functional is un-known. Descriptive and contextual information were collected using an ad-lib samplingmethod for 217 individual scent marks made by 7 individuals in two groups, from 19-June to 10-August, 1997, at Lago Guri, Venezuela. Group A consisted of 1 adult male, 2adult females, 1 juvenile male, and 1 juvenile female. Group B consisted of 1 adult femaleand 1 adult male. Sternal/gular marking accounted for the majority of marks (85.7%)followed by urine washing (10.6%), and anogenital rubbing (2.8%). The most commonlymarked substrates were vertical or oblique branches found along well traveled routes. Asignificant proportion of all marks were performed by adults, with males marking signifi-cantly more often than females for all types of marks. The vast majority (84.8%) of marksoccurred during group travel, with the remainder occurring during periods of rest. Scentmarking was never observed to occur in the context of feeding. Spatially, marks were concen-trated along a 200 meter-wide zone of confrontation where the majority of aggressive encoun-ters between the two groups took place. These results suggest that scent marking in white-facedsakis functions to advertise and maintain areas of range overlap between groups.

51. EFFECTS OF GENISTEIN ON ESTRADIOL PRODUCTIONIN PREGNANT RHESUS MONKEYS (MACACA MULATTA).Richard M. Harrison, Patricia P. Phillippi, and Michael C. HensonTulane Regional Primate Research Center, 18703 Three Rivers Road,Covington, LA 70433 and Tulane University School of Medicine.

Genistein is a phytoestrogen found in soy beans. These plant hormones have beenreported to cause reproductive problems in sheep and rats. This research was conductedto determine the effects of genistein fed to rhesus monkeys during pregnancy with spe-cific interest on fetal growth and maternal-fetoplacental unit steriodogenesis. Two groupsof five monkeys each were selected in early stages of pregnancy. The genistein group wasprovided genistein in a fruit treat each weekday until C-section ten days prior to term.Blood samples were collected on Tuesday and Friday each week and urine samples col-lected once every four weeks. At delivery samples were collected from four areas: thematernal peripheral blood, the uterine veins, the ovarian veins, and the fetus. Compari-sons between control and genistein-treated monkeys found that there were no differencesin the maternal weight gained during pregnancy, in fetal weights at delivery, or in pla-cental weights. Serum was assayed by RIA for the levels of estradiol and progesterone.There were no significant differences in progesterone levels at delivery or during thepregnancy. There were highly significant differences in estradiol levels in the four areasstudied at delivery and in the maternal blood during the pregnancy. It is assumed thatthe genistein attached to estrogen receptors and that endogenous production increased tomaintain the homeostatic levels of estradiol required during pregnancy.