We followed physical growth and aging in the cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) bred and reared in the laboratory frorm gestation to old age, for those individuals whose gestational age and/ or exact age were known. Growth patterns of body mass were compared between sexes by a cross sectional study. Although higher rates of growth for infants and early juveniles were observed in both sexes, the pre-pubertal spurt with sexual maturity was observed only in males. The significant sex difference in body mass growth patterns was demonstrated in cynomolgus monkeys, which has not been observed in humans. The characteristics of physical growth from birth to 12 weeks of age in both sexes were examined morphometrically and discussed from the point of view of allometry. The postnatal growth of facial and extremity parts of the body were relatively greater than other body parts, particularly the trunk. Furthermore, physical growth during the first 6 years of life was analyzed. All measurement items in females showed monophasic allometry against the growth of the anterior trunk length. However, several items in males including body mass showed biphasic allometry with the inflection point occurring at about 2.5 years of age. The process producing sexual dimorphism in the cynomolgus monkey was demonstrated.
Then age at menarche and menopause and post-menopausal lifespan in female cynomolgus monkeys are presented.