Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus content of hair from two populations of rhesus monkeys

The use of hair for the assessment of human mineral nutritional status is controversial, yet has potential because of the ease of collection and storage, and the high concentration of minerals in hair. This study generated baseline values for hair macromineral content in the most commonly used primate model for human nutrition and disease, the rhesus monkey. Hair digests from monkeys in Maryland (n=98) and Puerto Rico (n=208) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Significant differences existed between the two populations for hair calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) (P <0.01, P <0.001, P<0.02). Male hair had higher concentrations of Mg in specimens from the Puerto Rican population (P <0.001), whereas hair phosphorus was higher in female hair (P <0.02). There were no significant differences attributable to pregnancy status. Differences in hair content attributable to categorical age were found for Ca and Mg (P <0.001, P <0.01). Significant location differences paralleled dietary differences. These values therefore can be considered reference ranges for hair Ca, Mg, and P for free-ranging and caged rhesus monkeys.