Cercopithecus aethiops (African Green Monkey) 
Utilization 
Approximately 2,100 African green monkeys are used each year within the 
United States, primarily for the production of biological material and 
toxicology testing. Tissue cultures made from the kidneys of this 
animal are essential for the production of SV40 virus-free poliomyelitis 
vaccine. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is also developing 
this monkey as a model for the study of hypertension. The use of this 
animal for other biomedical purposes has been somewhat inhibited because 
of its association with a severe and fatal disease that occurred among 
laboratory workers in Marburg, Germany, who had contact with newly 
imported members of this species. 
Foreign Sources 
The African green monkey is widely distributed throughout the African 
rain forest, woodland, and savannah. This animal has been readily 
available from normal commercial channels. Potential policy changes, 
including conservation measures in source countries, make the future 
availability of this species uncertain. 
Production in United States 
Limited special-purpose production of the African green monkey is carried 
out within several institutions for their own use. General-purpose 
production has not been necessary because of the ease of acquiring this 
animal from commercial importers as well as the favorable cost. 
Recommendations 
Because of the demonstrated need for this animal in the production of 
biologies and other products essential to the health and well-being of 
the country, it is necessary to ensure that a domestic-production 
capability exists which can be relied upon if foreign sources of supply 
are eliminated. It is, therefore, recommended that this breeding 
capability be established within the United States. To provide the 
protection afforded by redundancy, two colonies should be established 
with an expected annual production of 100 animals each. 
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