THE ENDOCRINE WEIGHTS OF PRIMATES

Abstract

To provide normal tables of endocrine gland wts. for use in expl. research, the endocrine series was weighed in 50 macaques, 7 mangabeys and 17 chimpanzees. Relating gland wt. to body wt. en hances, on the whole, the normative value of the data as judged by a decrease in the Pearson coefficient of variation. This procedure controls to some degree the variability arising from age differences, nutritional status, etc., and is recommended for heterogeneous primate material of undetd. age. The data are considered from the point of view of variability, sex differences and sp. differences. The latter are largely a function of difference in body size; when relative wts. are compared the sex and sp. variability is small relative to the variation between individuals. The variability of individuals within a sex and sp. category ia considerable, a fact which emphasizes the need for normal tables and for more standardized primate forms for laboratory expts.