Age and sex associated organ weight differences in vervets/African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus).

BACKGROUND

African green monkeys (AGMs, also known as vervets, Cholorocebus aethiops sabaeus) have been used in a variety of biomedical research studies. The aim of this study was to generate a reference for normal organ weights and percentage organ weights in AGMs of different age categories and sex.

METHODS

The organ weights were compiled from 479 AGMs (285 females, 194 males) from 2004 to 2021. Age and sex differences of absolute and relative organ weights were analyzed using analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrate that males had higher body and organ weights than age-matched females, but relative organ weights did not differ between males and females. At maturity, adrenal gland, brain, kidney, liver, thymus, and thyroid gland weights as a percentage of body weight declined, but relative weights of prostate gland, testes, and uterus were higher.

CONCLUSION

These data should be beneficial to biomedical researchers and pathologists working with AGMs.