The composition of milk from Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis). 2008

Lauren A Milligan, and Susan V Gibson, and Lawrence E Williams, and Michael L Power
Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. milligan@email.arizona.edu

Squirrel monkeys (genus Saimiri) give birth to relatively large neonates with large, fast-growing brains. Maternal energy expenditure during gestation and infant development is argued to be high, but may be offset by the provisioning of offspring by females other than the mother (allonursing). Milk composition is an important component of maternal energy expenditure, but has been examined in only a small number of primate species. Here, we report on the milk composition from laboratory-housed Bolivian squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis) dams (n = 6) and allomothers (n = 2). Milk samples (n = 16) representing mid-lactation were assayed for fat, sugar, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and fatty acids. Gross energy (GE) was calculated from these constituents (excepting fatty acids). The goals of this project were: (1) to provide descriptive data on milk composition of squirrel monkeys, including the range of intraspecific variation; (2) to determine if milk produced by allomothers differs from milk from dams; and (3) to compare squirrel monkey milk to that of other small New World monkeys, the callitrichines. Squirrel monkey samples averaged 4.56% fat, 3.59% CP, 6.98% sugar, 16.59% DM, and 0.91 kcal/g. The proportion of the medium chain fatty acids 8:0 and 10:0 was 40 times greater than that reported for human milk samples, and 18:1 and 18:2n-6 comprise more than 60% of total fatty acids. Milk from allomothers was lower than dams in fat, DM, and GE, which may relate to variation in maternal condition between these two groups. Excluding allomothers, milk from squirrel monkeys was higher in mean GE than captive common marmosets, but did not differ in the proportion of energy from fat, CP, and sugar relative to total GE. The consistency in energy from protein between species suggests this may be a shared-derived trait of New World monkeys.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007774 Lactation The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN. Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D008892 Milk The off-white liquid secreted by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals. It contains proteins, sugar, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Cow Milk,Cow's Milk,Milk, Cow,Milk, Cow's
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012453 Saimiri A genus of the family CEBIDAE consisting of four species: S. boliviensis, S. orstedii (red-backed squirrel monkey), S. sciureus (common squirrel monkey), and S. ustus. They inhabit tropical rain forests in Central and South America. S. sciureus is used extensively in research studies. Monkey, Squirrel,Squirrel Monkey,Monkeys, Squirrel,Saimirus,Squirrel Monkeys

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