The goal of this Small Grant for Exploratory Research is to develop a reliable and sensitive push-pull perfusion technique to examine the physiological mechanisms of naturally-induced infertility in female Callitrichid Monkeys. Many species of these primates are highly endangered. In their specialized social system, subordinate females in groups in the wild and in the laboratory are kept infertile. Ovulation in subordinate females is suppressed while these females remain in the presence of a dominant female and help raise their offspring. Dr. Abbott has demonstrated that the physiological mechanism maintaining the infertile state of these subordinate females resides within the hypothalamic region of the brain. He will now develop a sophisticated technical procedure to measure neurotransmitters and hypothalamic hormones in the hypothalamus. The results will lead to a better understanding of how the social environment engages specific neural mechanisms to regulate female fertility. This could provide a better foundation for the development of reproductive techniques to accelerate the breeding of these rare monkeys in captivity and to improve the planning and management of re-introduction programs as well as improve the management of the remaining small number of monkeys living in the wilds of South American.
