Anti-Müllerian hormone as a predictor of oocyte yield following controlled ovarian stimulation in the rhesus macaque.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is widely used in the clinic as a biomarker for ovarian reserve and to predict ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation. Patients with higher AMH levels tend to yield more oocytes and have better outcomes from assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. The goal of this study is to determine if AMH can be used to predict the outcome of controlled ovarian stimulation in rhesus macaques, which are commonly used in biomedical research, to refine animal use while maximizing oocyte yield.

Establishing the normal range of sperm DNA fragmentation index (% DFI) for rhesus macaques.

The Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) is a robust test with high repeatability and precision. It is a clinically accepted assay that defines risk for infertility in men by measuring the degree of DNA fragmentation (% DFI) in sperm. The objective of this study was to adapt and validate the SCSA for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and establish a range for % DFI in fertile males.

A Comparison of Oocyte Yield between Ultrasound-Guided and Laparoscopic Oocyte Retrieval in Rhesus Macaques.

Obtaining quality oocytes is a prerequisite for ART-based studies. Here we describe a method for transabdominal ultrasound-guided (US) oocyte retrieval in rhesus macaques () and compare it to the standard surgical approach using laparoscopy (LAP). We analyzed oocyte yield from six continuous reproductive seasons (2017-2023) that included = 177 US-guided and = 136 laparoscopic oocyte retrievals.

Cessation of chronic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol use partially reverses impacts on male fertility and the sperm epigenome in rhesus macaques.

Objective: To determine whether discontinuation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use mitigates THC-associated changes in male reproductive health using a rhesus macaque model of daily THC edible consumption.

Design: Research animal study.

Setting: Research institute environment.

Systemic polidocanol from intravenous or pressurized intrauterine administration produces reversible cardiovascular toxicity.

Objective: Fatal allergic responses and cardiac arrhythmias have been reported with the intravenous (IV) administration of polidocanol. We sought to identify the physiologic mechanism of systemic cardiovascular response after transcervical (TC) and IV administration of polidocanol.

Methods: We continuously monitored blood pressure (BP) and heart rate using an arterial line during IV and intraperitoneal (IP) administration of polidocanol solution (PS) and polidocanol doxycycline solution in female rats and TC and IP administration of polidocanol foam (PF) and PDF (TC only) in female baboons.

Chronic exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol impacts testicular volume and male reproductive health in rhesus macaques.

Objective: To determine the dose-dependent effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure on male testes and reproductive health in a nonhuman primate model.

Design: Research animal study.

Setting: Research institute.

Individual and combined effects of 5-year exposure to hyperandrogenemia and Western-style diet on metabolism and reproduction in female rhesus macaques.

Study Question: What is the impact of prolonged exposure to hyperandrogenemia (T), Western-style diet (WSD) and the combination on metabolic and reproductive function in female rhesus macaques, particularly in the post-partum period?

Summary Answer: Combined T + WSD worsened measures of insulin sensitivity and parameters of cyclicity following prolonged (5 years) exposure, but there was no effect on post-partum metabolic function.

What Is Known Already: Women with hyperandrogenemia due to polycystic ovary syndrome are at higher risk for gestational diabetes and Type 2 diabetes post-partum, but it is unknown if this is related to hyperandrogenemia. Hyperandrogenemia in the presence of a WSD worsens metabolic function in female nonhuman primates.

Hormonal regulation of oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1; MUC9) in the rhesus macaque cervix.

Background: Macaques are outstanding animal models for the development of new contraceptives. In women, progestin-only contraceptives often fail to block ovulation and are believed to act by altering cervix physiology. Herein, we assessed oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) in the macaque cervix as a marker for progestogen action.

Chronic hyperandrogenemia in the presence and absence of a western-style diet impairs ovarian and uterine structure/function in young adult rhesus monkeys.

Study Question: Does chronic hyperandrogenemia beginning at menarche, in the absence and presence of a western-style diet (WSD), alter ovarian and uterine structure-function in young adult rhesus monkeys?

Summary Answer: Phenotypic alterations in ovarian and uterine structure/function were induced by exogenous testosterone (T), and compounded in the presence of a WSD (T+WSD).

What Is Known Already: Hyperandrogenemia is a well-established component of PCOS and is observed in adolescent girls, indicating a potential pubertal onset of disease symptoms. Obesity is often associated with hyperandrogenemia and it is hypothesized that metabolic dysfunction exacerbates PCOS symptoms.

Effect of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal treatments on evaluation of tubal patency in baboons.

Background: We evaluated whether menstrual cycle phase influences the assessment of tubal patency by hysterosalpingography (HSG) in baboons.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of baseline tubal patency studies and serum estradiol (E ) and progesterone (P4) values obtained from female baboons used as models for development of non-surgical permanent contraception in women. The main outcome measure was bilateral tubal patency (BTP) in relationship with estradiol level.