Use of ultrasound to monitor prenatal growth and development in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The increasing use of non-human primates to study fetal development and neonatal management has necessitated the availability of fetuses of known gestational history. In this study, prenatal development and growth were investigated in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) using ultrasound. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the accuracy of ultrasound for monitoring prenatal growth and development in common marmosets, (2) to determine if litter size influences prenatal growth trajectories, and (3) to assess growth discordancy among litter mates.