Brain-type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker of cardiovascular disease and predictor of cardiac-related mortality in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Objective: To validate the use of brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for detecting and monitoring cardiac dysfunction in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional (N = 175) and longitudinal (N = 76) BNP, echocardiogram, ECG, and pathology data from living and deceased captive chimpanzees to examine age and sex effects and to assess the usefulness of BNP for detecting cardiovascular disease and predicting mortality. The study period was from July 2010 through October 2024.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in captive olive baboons (Papio anubis): The effects of age, sex, rearing, stress, and pregnancy.

In apes and humans, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as a predictive indicator of a variety of clinical conditions, longevity, and physiological stress. In chimpanzees specifically, NLR systematically varies with age, rearing, sex, and premature death, indicating that NLR may be a useful diagnostic tool in assessing primate health. To date, just one very recent study has investigated NLR in old world monkeys and found lower NLR in males and nursery-reared individuals, as well as a negative relationship between NLR and disease outcomes.

The effects of early rearing experiences on mutual eye gaze among captive olive baboons (Papio anubis).

Among human and nonhuman primates, mutual eye gaze (MEG) and gaze following are believed to be important for social cognition and communicative signaling. The goals of this study were to examine how early rearing experiences contribute to individual variation in MEG and to examine the potential role of genetic factors underlying this variation. Subjects included 93 female and 23 male baboons (Papio anubis) ranging from 3 to 20 years of age.

It's Not about Him: Mismeasuring 'Good Genes' in Sexual Selection.

What explains preferences for elaborate ornamentation in animals? The default answer remains that the prettiest males have the best genes. If mating signals predict good genes, mating preferences evolve because attractive mates yield additive genetic benefits through offspring viability, thereby maximizing chooser fitness. Across disciplines, studies claim 'good genes' without measuring mating preferences, measuring offspring viability, distinguishing between additive and nonadditive benefits, or controlling for manipulation of chooser investment.