PubMed · 2003 · 331 citations · 0 references
Veterinary MedicineAnimal SciencesZoologyCompanion Animal ScienceExperimental PharmacologyReproductive MedicineAnimal Models In PharmacologyExperimental Disease ModelsHumanized Animal ModelsPrimate MedicineAnimal Disease ModelsAnimal Models Of DiseaseBiomedical ApplicationsBiosafetyDisease Model DevelopmentPrimate Health AssessmentPrimate PharmacologyPrimate Reproductive Medicine
The common marmoset, a small, nonendangered New World primate native to Brazil, is widely used in biomedical research for neuroscience, reproductive biology, infectious disease, and behavioral studies, offering advantages in size, cost, husbandry, biosafety, unique physiology, and ease of breeding that make it a viable alternative to traditional nonhuman primates. This review catalogs the marmoset models most frequently employed in biomedical research, highlighting those that could replace conventional nonhuman primate species. The species has recently seen growing use in drug development and safety assessment.
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a small, nonendangered New World primate that is native to Brazil and has been used extensively in biomedical research. Historically the common marmoset has been used in neuroscience, reproductive biology, infectious disease, and behavioral research. Recently, the species has been used increasingly in drug development and safety assessment. Advantages relate to size, cost, husbandry, and biosafety issues as well as unique physiologic differences that may be used in model development. Availability and ease of breeding in captivity suggest that they may represent an alternative species to more traditional nonhuman primates. The marmoset models commonly used in biomedical research are presented, with emphasis on those that may provide an alternative to traditional nonhuman primate species.