TIMED BREEDING CORE

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The timed-breeding program at the Tulane National Primate Research Center uses exogenous progesterone administration to control the time of ovulation. Ultrasonography is performed 24 or 31 days after placing the female with the male to establish pregnancy. This procedure allows for efficient use of the males and generally provides a conception date within a 24 hour time frame. In the 2004-2005 breeding season, 33 Indian-origin rhesus monkeys were bred resulting in 4 pregnancies. Two of the pregnancies resulted in fetal deaths. The other two infants were assigned to projects examining (1) effects of maternal malaria on fetal development and infant growth, and (2) effects of neonatal SIV infection. Over the past 25 years, the pregnancy rate following controlled ovulation through progesterone administration has been in excess of 60%. Recommendations made during the last Base Grant renewal site visit necessitated a change in the supply of the hormone and the oil used to dilute it. The new reagents posed a problem because of low solubility, moreover there were significant changes in the housing arrangements and several of the females still had nursing infants. It is most likely that these factors were contributing to the reduction in pregnancy rate. In the 2005-2006 breeding season, a switch was made to human progesterone and 21 prime breeding age females have been time bred. At the present time, there are 4 known pregnancies and 15 pending determination. Infants produced in this season will be assigned to a project examining the effects of neonatal SIV infection.