Use of Nonhuman Primates in Research in North America

In North America, the biomedical research community faces social and economic challenges to nonhuman primate (NHP) importation that could reduce the number of NHP available for research needs. The effect of such limitations on specific biomedical research topics is unknown. The Association of Primate Veterinarians (APV), with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, developed a survey regarding biomedical research involving NHP in the United States and Canada. The survey sought to determine the number and species of NHP maintained at APV members’ facilities, current uses of NHP to identify the types of biomedical research that rely on imported animals, and members’ perceived trends in NHP research. Of the 149 members contacted, 33 (22%) replied, representing diverse facility sizes and types. Cynomolgus and rhesus macaques were the most common species housed at responding institutions and comprised the majority of newly acquired and imported NHP. The most common uses for NHP included pharmaceutical research and development and neuroscience, neurology, or neuromuscular disease research. Preclinical safety testing and cancer research projects usually involved imported NHP, whereas research on aging or degenerative disease, reproduction or reproductive disease, and organ or tissue transplantation typically used domestic-bred NHP. The current results improve our understanding of the research uses for imported NHP in North America and may facilitate estimating the potential effect of any future changes in NHP accessibility for research purposes. Ensuring that sufficient NHP are available for critical biomedical research remains a pressing concern for the biomedical research community in North America.Abbreviation: APV, Association of Primate Veterinarians; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; NHP, nonhuman primateNonhuman primates (NHP) remain key animal models for specific types of biomedical research because of their close phylogenetic relationships and physiologic similarities to humans.^1,8,10,12,18 However, the use of NHP in research has become increasingly controversial such that ensuring a stable supply of NHP to meet biomedical research needs continues to be a pressing concern.^4,16,23In fiscal year 2010, US research facilities housed more than 70,000 NHP for use in biomedical research.²¹ Although many North American facilities rely on domestic NHP breeding colonies for research needs, they also import purpose-bred NHP, primarily from Asia, to supplement domestic breeding. NHP importation into the United States peaked in 2008 at just over 25,000 animals but has experienced a small but steady decline each subsequent year.¹⁴ Many social, economic, and scientific factors might be contributing to this decrease, for example, development of alternatives to replace NHP models. One factor of great concern to researchers is increasing resistance among airlines to transport live NHP.^17,23Only a few reports describe the types of NHP species used and the research areas in which this model predominates.^3,9,20 Previous retrospective literature reviews provide valuable baseline information about NHP research activities for some species or geographic locations; however, these studies do not identify NHP procurement sources. Therefore, published literature does not identify which types of biomedical research are most reliant on imported NHP nor does it assist with understanding how changes in importation would affect the numbers of NHP available for specific biomedical research activities. A cross-sectional, survey-based approach provides more direct access to information about species use, NHP sources, and the types of studies that are most reliant on NHP importation.The Association of Primate Veterinarians (APV), with technical support from the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), collaboratively surveyed APV''s membership regarding biomedical research activities involving NHP at institutions in the United States and Canada. The goal of this survey was to document the number and species of imported NHP maintained at research facilities served by APV members, to understand the types of biomedical research that are particularly reliant on imported NHP, and to gain insight into practicing primate veterinarians’ perceptions of NHP research trends.