Perinatal Weight Loss and Recovery in Well-Nourished Rhesus Monkeys

Document Type

Article

Authors

A J. Riopelle, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Linda S. Dietz, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
J P. Geaghan, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Theresa C. Storms, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Abstract

Rhesus monkeys, like most other mammals, lose weight imme­diately after birth but soon regain their birthweight and establish a rather permanent growth pattern. The loss, is usually thought to be due to elimination of meconium and urine exceeding food intake. Two weeks may be required to regain birthweight despite rapidly increasing food intake. We report here that the process involves three stages, a rapid loss lasting about three days, a transitional stage of about seven days during which weight increases linearly at a slow pace, and a third, rather durable, linear increase that begins at about day 10 and is significantly steeper than that in the transitional stage. Males and females follow practically identical patterns.Slope parameter estimates of the different components are poorly correlated with birthweight and with each other.

Recommended Citation

Riopelle, A J.; Dietz, Linda S.; Geaghan, J P.; and Storms, Theresa C. (1986) "Perinatal Weight Loss and Recovery in Well-Nourished Rhesus Monkeys," Human Biology: Vol. 58: Iss. 6, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol58/iss6/9