African Green Monkeys (Vervets)

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) currently supports two breeding colonies through the P40 mechanism at the WFUPC.  The larger colony is composed of approximately 410 African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) living in 16 breeding groups.  The transfer of the entire Vervet Research Colony (VRC) from UCLA to the WFUPC was completed in February 2008.

The VRC was initially founded in 1975 with vervets captured from St. Kitts, West Indies.  The current population of the VRC includes about 410 descendants of the original founders, with 24 of the original matrilines now in their 3rd to 8th generation.

The colony is managed to optimize studies related to growth, development, temperament, aging, and chronic disease risk across the live span and in relation to genetic and sex differences.  To facilitate such studies, all animals will be fed a diet designed to model typical American consumption.

Researchers interested in obtaining information concerning access to the colony and/or its related data, genetic, and imaging repository should contact Dr. Matthew Jorgensen.