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SNPRC sustains two colonies of rhesus macaques
(Macaca mulatta). One is a Specific-Pathogen-Free
(SPF) rhesus monkey breeding colony which produces
monkeys for AIDS-related research.
The other colony is an SPF rhesus monkey breeding colony
which produces monkeys with Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
This population of rhesus monkeys carries
a spontaneous mutation of the low density lipoprotein receptor
(LDLR) gene. Heterozygotes display phenotypic characteristics
typical of familial hypercholesterolemia, a relatively common
condition in humans that causes early onset cardiovascular
disease. Therefore, these animals are highly useful models
for research on mechanisms and corrective therapies for this
condition.
As for their living environment, the macaques live in
indoor or outdoor enclosures in social groups of 2-10
individuals. The cages have multiple perches and swings
so that the monkeys can climb and jump above the ground,
as they are a more arboreal (or above ground) dwelling
species than baboons or chimpanzees.
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