Kinetics of stable isotope and body composition in olive baboons (Papio anubis) estimated by deuterium dilution space: a pilot study.

Morphometrics and isotope-labelled water were used to determine body composition [total body water, total body fat and fat-free mass (FFM)] of three captive female olive baboons (Papio anubis). Mean mass was 16.5 kg, comparable with other captive settings but heavier than wild olive baboons. Average water content was 66%; FFM averaged 90.5%. Baboon females have less body fat than human counterparts. Compared with captive or wild baboons, these females were adequately nourished for their energy expenditure. A positive association between total mass and FFM existed, but due to the small sample no general relationship was observed for body fat or FFM and condition or size measures. The kinetics of deuterium equilibration in body fluids for baboons was determined as 3-4 hours after injection, similar to that for humans. Deuterium dilution technique appears to be an appropriate method for studying body composition in baboons, although a larger sample is needed for relationships between morphometric indices and body composition.