Husbandry and Management Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – HUSBANDRY AND MANAGEMENT CORE The Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) has one of the largest rhesus monkey breeding colonies in the United States. This resource has provided animals for NIH-funded HIV/AIDS research projects for several decades and is a critical component of the Center’s successful research program. Because over half of all research projects using animals produced at the TNPRC are initiated by Affiliate (outside) investigators, this resource is essential to the success of many NIH-funded investigators throughout the US. The TNPRC has a long history of deriving, developing, and managing large macaque breeding colonies. The experience gained from many years of colony management is a significant contributing factor to the successful establishment of the U42 specific pathogen-free (SPF) colony; it also helped us achieve the goal of converting all TNPRC rhesus monkey colonies to SPF status. The TNPRC has focused on a philosophy of continuous improvement fostered by decision making and management strategies driven by evidence derived from observation, controlled scientific study, and the literature. This philosophy is employed in many areas of the program, including housing, behavioral management, husbandry practices, nursery rearing, preventive medicine, and clinical veterinary care. The objective of this application is to request funds for continued support and maintenance of the TNPRC’s SPF rhesus monkey breeding colony that supports NIH-funded HIV/AIDS- related research. The maintenance of the U42 breeding colony requires the integration of multiple aspects of the animal care program at the TNPRC, including veterinary care, behavioral management, genetic monitoring, and viral testing, to ensure SPF status of the colony. This section describes the husbandry and management of the colony and focuses on daily care operations, behavioral management, and clinical care. The Specific Aim of this core is to provide husbandry and veterinary care for the SPF breeding colony established by the existing U42 grant. This includes robust programs for clinical care and behavioral management. The colony has reached a mature status and consists of 859 animals at the time of writing, with ideal demographics to produce up to 150 animals available for allocation each year. Program income generated by the sale of animals will be returned to an account for use in supporting the aims of the grant.