BOOK REVIEW Volume 32, No.

10 Lab Animal November 2003

Nutrient Requirements of Nonhuman

Primates: Second Revised Edition
Reviewed by Joseph Knapka, PhD

The National Research “Minerals”, “Vitamins”, and the differences in anatomy and function
Nutrient Requirements of
Council’s (NRC’s) report, and “Water” chapters are of the digestive tracts of the various species
Nonhuman Primates:
Nutritional Requirements Second Revised Edition
similar to those that are of nonhuman primates.
of Nonhuman Primates, is traditionally included in A wide range of topics that must be con-
an outstanding reference similar NRC reports. The sidered in the nutritional management of
not only for the nutrition- metabolic role of each nonhuman primate colonies is presented in a
al requirements of nonhu- nutrient is discussed, chapter entitled “Pathophysiologic and Life-
man primates but also for nutrient deficiency and Stage Considerations”. Examples of topics
the nutritional manage- toxicity signs are de- discussed in this chapter include rearing of
ment of various captive scribed, and the docu- juvenile animals, nutrition and aging, obesi-
nonhuman primate spe- mentation supporting the ty, and the nutritional management of ani-
cies. A committee of 11 estimated nutrient re- mals with pathologies, such as diabetes. A
individuals who are con- quirements is presented. chapter entitled “Food as a Component of
sidered to be experts in The estimated nutrient Environmental Enhancement” provides
Committee on Animal Nutrition, Ad Hoc
nonhuman primate nutri- Committee on Nonhuman Primate Nutrition, requirements are present- excellent information about strategies for the
tion and biology prepared National Research Council ed in two easy-to-read use of various foods as a means to enrich the
this second edition of the National Academy Press, Washington, DC, tables. In one table, esti- captive nonhuman primate’s psychological
2003
report. The result is a pub- Price: $47.96
mated requirements are well-being to comply with federal regula-
lication that is the most Softcover, 286 pages presented for nine non- tions.
extensive of the NRC ISBN: 0309069890 human primate species As in most NRC reports of this nature, a
series of reports on consuming purified and table is included listing the nutrient compo-
domestic animal nutrition, in that it is essen- semipurified diets. Unfortunately, because sition of feed ingredients used to manufac-
tially a textbook on nonhuman primate insufficient data were available to use as a ture feeds for the species of interest. This
nutrition rather than just a source of infor- basis to estimate numerical requirements for table has been expanded in this report to
mation on the estimated nutrient require- all nutrients for all the species listed in the include most of the succulent and live feed-
ments of a variety of species. table, there are several gaps. A second table stuffs that are used as supplements in
This report contains a comprehensive lists the estimated adequate dietary nutrient numerous captive nonhuman primate
review of the current literature related to concentrations for post-weanling nonhu- colonies. This list is very extensive, and it
nonhuman primate nutrition. It is very well man primates of any species consuming nat- should be considered a primary source of
written and illustrated with numerous tables ural ingredient diets. information about the nutrient composition
and figures that explain the most complex A chapter entitled “Feeding Ecology of these various foodstuffs. Anyone with an
nutritional principles in a manner that is rel- Digestive Strategies, and Implications for interest in the amount of nutrients con-
atively easy to read and understand. It is Feeding Programs in Captivity” is presented sumed by nonhuman primates being fed
therefore the most important contribution on the premise that “The welfare of nonhu- various supplemental foodstuffs should
ever made to nonhuman primate nutrition, man primates in captivity depends heavily obtain a copy of this report.
and it should be a welcome addition to the on meeting their nutrient needs in a manner Softcover copies of this report are avail-
personal libraries of nonhuman primate that considers normal foraging and feeding able from The National Academies Press
colony managers involved with biomedical behavior, structure and functions of the (NAP), Washington, DC, for $47.96. The
research and zoos, veterinarians with non- digestive system, and the options and con- report can be read online at http://
human primate responsibilities, and stu- straints of captive dietary husbandry”. Thus, www.nap.edu./catalog/9826.html and is
dents of nonhuman primate nutrition the chapter includes a discussion of methods available in PDF format for $36.00.
everywhere. for obtaining data on the feeding ecology
The “Energy”, “Carbohydrates and and behavior of nonhuman primates in the Knapka is a consultant in laboratory animal
Fiber”, “Protein”, “Fats and Fatty Acids”, wild, feeding strategies for captive colonies, nutrition in Brookeville, MD.

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