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

Katharina E. Pink, Barbara Fischer, Michael A. Huffman, Takako Miyabe-Nishiwaki, Naoko Suda-Hashimoto, Akihisa Kaneko, Bernard Wallner, Lena S. Pflüger

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2316189121
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume121
Issue number42
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Oct 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106012 Evolutionary research
  • 106056 Biological anthropology
  • 302017 Obstetrics

Keywords

  • evolution of birth | feto-pelvic disproportion
  • maternal mortality
  • primates

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