Spontaneous endometriosis in cynomolgus monkeys as a clinically relevant experimental model

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONDoes spontaneous endometriosis in cynomolgus monkeys have the characteristics required of a good experimental model?SUMMARY ANSWERSpontaneous endometriosis in cynomolgus monkeys exhibited similar clinicopathological characteristics to the human disease and was useful as an experimental model.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYThe prevalence of endometriosis in autopsied cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) in a breeding colony was reported to be 28.7% in 1993. The histopathological findings we reported recently showed that components of spontaneous endometriosis were not only endometriotic epithelium and stromal cells (CD10-positive) with hemorrhage and inflammation, but also smooth muscle metaplasia and nerve fibers.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONDuring routine medical examinations at a research facility from 2008 to 2012, 614 female cynomolgus monkeys of reproductive age (6 –25 years) were screened for endometriosis by the presence of regular menstrual bleeding, serum CA125 levels and palpation of the abdomen. In total, 29 monkeys were selected as subjects for the following study.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSOf the 29 monkeys selected, 15 were diagnosed with endometriosis by laparoscopy and/or open surgery. The monkeys were monitored by observing their general condition, and eight of these were monitored using laparoscopy and MRI. In addition, to investigate appropriate screening parameters and endometriosis-associated biological parameters in monkeys,...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research