Haemato-biochemical Profile Assessment of Immobilized Wild Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Jabalpur, India

Abstract

Indian rhesus macaque has been extensively used in biomedical research, particularly in disease studies and drug discovery. Accurate assessment of clinical pathology parameters is crucial for evaluating their health status, particularly in studies involving disease modeling and drug development. However, comprehensive data on hematological and biochemical parameters, especially in wild rhesus macaques, remain limited. Due to increased use of non-human primates in research studies, it is necessary to understand the effect of immobilizing drugs on haemato-biochemical values in wild rhesus macaques. The study focuses on the immobilization of wild adult male rhesus macaques using anesthetic drug combination viz. Inj. Xylazine at the rate of 2mg/kg body weight combined with Inj. Ketamine hydrochloride at the rate of 5mg/kg body weight and their impact on blood parameter estimation. This study has aimed to present an accurate hematological and biochemical values of anesthetized wild Indian rhesus macaques. These findings provide essential baseline reference values for the species and highlight the influence of immobilization on blood parameters on wild adult male rhesus macaques. The mean values of TEC, TLC, PCV and Hb observed in the present study were towards lower side of the normal reference range, however, the mean values of DLC, MCV, MCH and MCHC remained within the normal reference range. This study contributes to the refinement of biomedical research protocols by ensuring accurate health assessments and improving animal welfare in both laboratory and field settings.