No birth- associated maternal mortality in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) despite giving birth to large- headed neonates

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Pink, Katharina E.; Fischer, Barbara; Huffman, Michael A.; Miyabe-Nishiwaki, Takako; Hashimoto, Naoko Suda-; Kaneko, Akihisa; Wallner, Bernard; Pflueger, Lena S.
• 署名单位: Medical University of Vienna; University of Vienna; University of Vienna; Kyoto University; Kyoto University; University of Vienna
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-12774
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316189121
• 发表日期: 2024-10-15
• 关键词: pregnancy; pelvis; GROWTH; covariation; obstetrics; pelvimetry; EVOLUTION; STANDARDS; delivery; BEHAVIOR

摘要

Human fetuses at term are large relative to the dimensions of the maternal birth canal, implying that their birth can be associated with difficulties. The tight passage through the human birth canal can lead to devastating outcomes if birth becomes obstructed, including maternal and fetal death. Although macaques have to accommodate similarly large fetuses, relative to their maternal birth canals, it was not known whether macaque mothers face birth difficulties similar to humans. Based on 27 y of demographic data from a semi- free- ranging, closely monitored population of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), we found no birth- associated mortality in macaques. This differs from the situation in many human populations. We suggest three nonmutually exclusive hypotheses to explain these observations. i) The macaque fetal skull is similarly flexible as the human fetal skull. ii) The macaque pelvis and connective tissue show greater flexibility during birth. iii) The interplay between macaque pelvic shape and birth dynamics is smoother and incurs fewer complications than in humans.