When you think of monkeys, you probably think of the apes, but there are also many types of chimpanzees, including those that have down syndrome. You may even have seen monkeys with down syndrome in movies. There are a lot of misconceptions about the condition, however. In fact, it is a rare trait.
Chimpanzees
If you’re a science buff, you might have noticed that there are a handful of chimpanzees with down syndrome. This condition is caused by an abnormal gain of one or more chromosomes, and is generally lethal. However, researchers have been successful in reproducing trisomies in mice, so the real question is: can they be replicated in humans?
The first known chimp to have this particular genetic defect was Jama. She was conceived in the late 1970s, and was sent off to Cuba for a medical operation. Unfortunately, her heart condition deteriorated over time, and she died. Her siblings were given a cross-eyed look.
There have been reports of other animals being shown to have down syndrome, but these have been limited in number. A tiger found at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Reserve in Colorado does not have down syndrome, but his cousin, Otto, did. Similarly, bantam giraffes do not have it, but they do share the same maladies as human patients.
Aside from the down syndrome afflicted chimps, there have also been reports of mice and rats displaying similar cognitive abilities to humans, including the ability to recognize the colors of objects. One of the wacky ways this has been studied is by cross-breeding two humans. Ideally, the hybrid would be a combination of both, but it might be easier for scientists to find a suitable animal for the experiment.
On the other hand, the study of animal behavior has led to several other studies, demonstrating that animals are more susceptible to health issues than their human counterparts. Animals can also experience psychological illnesses comparable to humans, and some have been linked to neurological disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. It is unclear whether this is a result of a mutation, or simply hereditary changes.
There has not been a study on the exact number of animals that have down syndrome, but researchers have made some guesses about the odds of this occurring. Some say it is due to the low nutritional content of the diet they eat, but researchers have yet to figure out the actual number.
Dogs
Down syndrome in dogs may not be as well known as it is in humans. However, genetic abnormalities in animals can be just as life changing for owners.
Down syndrome is a congenital disorder that can be caused by an extra chromosome. This condition has no cure. The extra chromosome is passed down to the offspring. It is also one of the most common mental impediments to occur in humans.
The down syndrome name is used because of the association of an extra chromosome with a medical condition. In fact, the syndrome is a result of an extra copy of chr 21 in human babies.
While Down syndrome has no real cure, there are other diseases associated with this disorder. A dog with Down syndrome can suffer from heart problems, poor liver function, and skin issues. They may also be sensitive to household irritants.
Other diseases that can affect animals with Down syndrome include a genetically related thyroid disease, which can cause problems with metabolism. These are all reasons why it is important to keep your dog healthy.
Dogs with Down syndrome can have a difficult time with potty training. Their ears and eyes may be deformed. Some dogs are also sensitive to minor household irritants, such as a rotten egg or a cigarette ash.
Dogs with Down Syndrome have a much shorter lifespan than normal dogs. If you are planning on getting a puppy, you should consider the possible effects of the syndrome. Despite these challenges, caring for a dog with Down syndrome can be a rewarding experience. You will have the opportunity to enjoy your pet’s company and understand the capacity for love and attention.
Having a dog with Down Syndrome can be an expensive and challenging experience. But you may be rewarded in the process by bringing home a healthy dog. Just make sure to keep your dog in good health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle.
One of the simplest ways to look after your puppy is to change its diapers. Another is to clean up any waste.
Chimpanzee trisomy 22
Chimpanzees are one of the closest relatives of humans. They also have an extra chromosome, called trisomy 22, which is similar to Down Syndrome in humans. The condition leads to impaired growth and vision problems.
Kanako, a 24-year-old female chimpanzee, has been diagnosed with the disease. She was born in captivity and is housed separately from other chimps. Her behavior has not been assessed for years, but she has a close relationship with her female friend, Roman. Both have been friends from a young age.
Kanako was initially treated with antibiotics, which helped her to survive. But she had to be separated from other chimps because her chromosomal structure caused her to develop a number of abnormalities. One of those was cataracts. Another was a thinning of her corneas.
Trisomy 22 can also cause congenital heart disease. When Kanako was a baby, her heart had a hole in it. This was found during an echocardiogram.
While Kanako has a relatively good quality of life, there are still a number of complications that affect her. She is partially blind, has underdeveloped teeth, and has crossed eyes.
Her condition is also affecting her mental development. Researchers are concerned about the long-term effects on her behavior. Although Kanako is now allowed to interact with another female chimp, her interaction is sporadic.
In addition to her chromosomal defect, Kanako has underdeveloped teeth and a congenital heart disease. Other symptoms include a clubbed pinkie and an enlarged 1-2 toe gap.
According to scientists at Kyoto University, the first documented case of trisomy 22 in chimpanzees was recorded in 1969. A male chimp died before his second birthday. It is not known how common the disease is in the broader chimp population.
Kanako and other chimpanzees with Down syndrome are living in Japan at the Kumamoto Sanctuary and Wildlife Research Center. In 2011, the facility was transferred to Kyoto University. Currently, the researchers are trying to improve the quality of Kanako’s life.
There are some similarities between humans and chimpanzees, so it is important to treat their health issues as early as possible.
Cynomolgus monkeys
Cynomolgus monkeys are anatomically similar to human beings. However, their development and health is not quite the same. They are used in toxicological studies as a model animal. Therefore, the development of their immune system is important to study.
Development of the cynomolgus macaque’s immune system (IS) was investigated from the embryonic day 35 until the animal was born. This was compared with developmental data from mice and selected human cases. IS development in the cynomolgus monkey is not quite the same as mouse IS.
The expression of IFNg SFU in PBMCs and blood vessels was examined in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. Interestingly, the level of neutralizing antibodies in the rhesus macaque was high at a younger age than the cynomolgus.
Viral subgenomic RNA was analyzed in the throat swabs of the rhesus and cynomolgus, and the presence of viral RNA was significantly higher in the cynomolgus. Interestingly, a high copy number of the virus was observed at four and five days postcoitus. At five days postcoitus, the viral RNA was not associated with lesions.
At nine days postcoitus, the viral load was reduced to 1.9 x 104 copies/ml in the rhesus and cynomolgus. Similar results were found in the BAL samples. Compared with mice, the cynomolgus exhibited higher levels of total viral RNA, but the copy number of the virus in these samples was relatively lower.
During the initial infection with SARS-CoV-2, a pattern of peripheral consolidation was observed in one cynomolgus. Patchy infiltration of mononuclear cells was seen in alveolar walls. Moreover, lymphocytes were also observed in the blood vessels. Similarly, perivascular lymphocytic cuffing was seen in small vessels.
These results suggest that the cynomolgus lineage has a relatively low rate of mutagenesis, and that it has a significantly shorter generation time than the rhesus lineage. However, this result may not be conclusive. Because of the large differences in PCR error rates between rhesus and cynomolgus, excess divergence could be an artifact of PCR amplification.
The cynomolgus lineage also has a higher rate of synonymous substitutions than the rhesus lineage. The ratio of K a /K s is a measure of the relative pace of protein evolution.