Suppressed immune response in infant monkeys associated with maternal separation.
The effect of maternal separation on an in vitro measure of the cellular immune response was studied in infant bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). Using a modified mixed-species separation paradigm, bonnet mother-infant pairs were each housed with a single adult female pigtailed monkey (Macaca nemestrina). Over a 14-day separation period, the infants showed a suppression of lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens relative to a 14-day baseline period which preceded separation. The lymphocyte response was restored following reunion. During separation, infants were initially agitated, and this was followed by observations of reduced activity and a slouched posture. Behaviors returned to baseline conditions following reunion. It was concluded that suppressed immunological functioning may be included among the pathophysiological consequences of maternal separation in infant monkeys.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008255:Macaca radiata; D008297:Male; D008426:Maternal Deprivation