Body fat indices and thier seasonal variations in Japanese monkeys of Nikko, Japan

Abstract

The depth-of-subcutaneous-fat index (SFI), the weight-of-omentum-fat index (OFI), Riney's kidney-fat index (KFI), and relative body weights (RBW) were measured in 32 adults (20 females, 12 males) Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) collected in Nikko, central Japan during 1983-90. Most indices of fat were significantly interrelated (P<0.05). The SFI was useful as an indicator of relatively good condition, the OFI and KFI were useful indicators of relatively poor condition, while the RBW had no value as an indicator of physical condition. The OFI of adult males and adult females increased in early summer and summer, respectively, and declined over winter in both sexes.