Table 1.

Mother Score System Utilized in the Baboon SPF Breeding Colony

Score	Description
1	Absent; No contact was observed between female and infant
2	Bad; Female showed little-to-no interest in her infant, or frequently exhibited abusive actions towards infant
3	Poor; Female was only somewhat interested in the infant, would pick up the infant only when approached by other animals or occasionally exhibited abusive actions towards infant
4	Fair; Female attempted to care for infant and infant seen nursing, but infant may be seen in an abnormal position with/without vocalization
5	Excellent; Female attempted to care for infant, held infant in ventral/ventral position, and infant observed to be clean, dry, quiet and frequently nursing

The scores were used to evaluate mother-infant interactions in the SPF breeding colony, and recorded in each female’s health record. Typically, a score was assigned upon first observation of an infant the morning after birth, then 24-, 48-, and 72-hr later. These scores were used to evaluate the likelihood an infant would thrive if reared by the mother.