Induction of multiple follicular development and superovulation in the olive baboon, Papio anubis.

The objective of this study was to induce multiple follicular development and superovulation in the olive baboon. Beginning at menses, adult female baboons were treated with hMG for 10 days followed by hCG on day 11. Multiple follicular development was seen in all 19 animals; superovulation occurred in 11 of these. Serum E2 and P levels were consistent with multiple follicular and corpora lutea development, respectively. Ovulated ova were able to be fertilized. These results indicate that olive baboons can be superovulated using a regimen of hMG and hCG, however, development of antibodies against the human hormones precludes restimulation.     

Controlled ovarian stimulation and ultrasound guided follicular aspiration in the baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis)

The objective of this study was to investigate whether baboon females respond to an ovarian stimulation protocol incorporating pituitary suppression with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and highly purified human FSH (hphFSH) with follicular development and oocyte maturation. An ovulation induction protocol was applied to 5 adult female baboons with a history of regular menstrual cycles (33-34 days). A long-acting GnRHa implant containing goserelin acetate was placed s.c. on days 22-24 of their menstrual cycle. Daily hphFSH (75 IU im) treatments were started approximately 10 days following menses. When the majority of the follicles were > or = 5 mm in diameter and the E2 levels had reached a maximum, hCG (2000 IU i.m.) was administered to induce final maturation of the oocytes and ovulation. 30 to 34 h after hCG administration, transabdominal follicular aspiration was performed using a variable frequency transvaginal transducer with ultrasound. A total of 71 oocytes were collected (average: 17). 91% of the oocytes were morphologically normal indicating that they were appropriate for in vitro insemination.     

Body Temperature and Physical Activity Correlates of the Menstrual Cycle in Chacma Baboons (Papio hamadryas ursinus)

We investigated the temporal relationship between abdominal temperature, physical activity, perineal swelling, and urinary progesterone and estradiol concentrations over the menstrual cycle in unrestrained captive baboons. Using a miniature temperature‐sensitive data logger surgically implanted in the abdominal cavity and an activity data logger implanted subcutaneously on the trunk, we measured, continuously over 6 months at 10‐min intervals, abdominal temperature and physical activity patterns in four female adult baboons Papio hamadryas ursinus (12.9–19.9 kg), in cages in an indoor animal facility (22–25°C). We monitored menstrual bleeding and perineal swelling changes, and measured urinary progesterone and estradiol concentrations, daily for up to 6 months, to ascertain the stage and length of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle was 36 ± 2 days (mean ± SD) long and the baboons exhibited cyclic changes in perineal swellings, abdominal temperature, physical activity, urinary progesterone, and estradiol concentrations over the cycle. Mean 24‐hr abdominal temperature during the luteal phase was significantly higher than during the periovulatory phase (ANOVA, F_{(2, 9)} = 4.7; P = 0.04), but not different to that during the proliferative phase. Physical activity followed a similar pattern, with mean 24‐hr physical activity almost twice as high in the luteal than in the periovulatory phase (ANOVA, P = 0.58; F_{(2, 12)} = 5.8). We have characterized correlates of the menstrual cycle in baboons and shown, for the first time, a rhythm of physical activity and abdominal temperature over the menstrual cycle, with a nadir of temperature and activity at ovulation. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1143‐1153, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The relationship between aggressive behavior and menstrual cycle stage in female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

The aggressive behavior of eight adult female rhesus monkeys, living in a captive social group, was studied prior to and during a breeding season extended by vasectomizing all the adult males in the group. Female reproductive status was ascertained by: recording all adult female-adult male copulations, detecting menstruation by vaginal swabbing, and analyzing serum progesterone levels by radioimmunoassay. Females were more aggressive during the follicular stage of their menstrual cycle than the luteal stage or during the period prior to the onset of seasonal ovarian activity. Increases in aggression were limited to increases in the milder forms of agonistic behavior, primarily threatening gestures. Although the females showed their highest rates of noncontact aggressive response categories during the follicular stage, several showed highest rates of contact aggressive response categories in the precycling period.     

Cyclic changes of plasma spermine concentrations in women

Based on previous studies which suggest that blood polyamines fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, the present study was set to determine whether plasma concentrations of the polyamine spermine show menstrual cycle-associated changes and if so, how these changes relate to phasic variations in other female hormones. Blood samples were collected from a group of 9 healthy women of various ages at 5 defined periods during their menstrual cycle including 1 woman on oral contraceptives. Spermine concentrations were determined in plasma acid extracts by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method. Plasma estradiol, LH and FSH were measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay using an automatic analyzer. Spermine concentrations, 104.4 +/- 12.2 nmol/ml at 1-3 day of the cycle, were increased transiently with a peak (263.8 +/- 22.1 nmol/ml) at 8-10 day and declined to 85.4 +/- 29.8 nmol/ml by 21-23 day of the cycle. The peak spermine concentrations coincided with the first increase in plasma estrogen levels. The individual variations in the temporal profile of spermine concentrations were of similar magnitude as individual differences in other female hormones. We conclude that: a) Plasma spermine concentrations undergo distinct cyclic alterations during the menstrual cycle with peak concentrations coinciding with the first estradiol increase, and b) Peak plasma spermine concentrations occur during the follicular phase, just prior to ovulation, during the period of rapid endometrial growth.     

Superovulation using recombinant human FSH and ultrasound-guided transabdominal follicular aspiration in baboon (Papio anubis)

The response of baboon females to a modified human ovarian stimulation protocol incorporating start of pituitary suppression in the luteal phase of the cycle with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) and recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) was studied. A long-acting GnRHa implant supplying goserelin acetate was administered s.c. to six adult female baboons experiencing regular menstrual cycles (33–34 days) on days 22–24 of the cycle. Follicular development was monitored by transabdominal ultrasonography and serum levels of E2 and progesterone (P4) and rhFSH were determined by ELISA. Menses occurred 9–10 days after GnRHa administration. Daily i.m. administration of 75 IU rhFSH commenced 9–10 days after menses and continued for 9–10 days. When most follicles were ≥5 mm diameter and serum E2 had reached its maximum level, 2000 IU hCG was administered i.m. to induce follicle maturation. Transabdominal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration of follicles ≥2 mm diameter was performed 30–34 h after hCG administration.

One baboon did not show an adequate response to rhFSH stimulation. This animal did not receive further treatment and no data for it are presented. The number of follicles aspirated was 21±4 and 17.2±3.8 oocytes were recovered per animal with an average recovery rate of 82% (86/105). The number of oocytes collected from five animals were 14, 21, 16, 15, and 20 (n=86). Most of the oocytes recovered were in metaphase II and 3 h after recovery 91% (78/86) were considered suitable for in vitro fertilization. It was concluded that recombinant human FSH can successfully induce follicular recruitment and oocyte maturation in baboon females during pituitary suppression with a GnRHa     

Psychosocial stress and the menstrual cycle.

The relationship between mood states, urinary stress hormone output (adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol) and adequacy of the menstrual cycle was examined in 120 recorded non-conception cycles from 34 women. It was hypothesized that women with higher stress levels would be more likely to experience abnormal cycles and that within women higher stress levels would positively relate to follicular phase length and inversely relate to luteal phase length. There was a non-significant trend for women to report higher stress levels during oligomenorrhoeic and unclear cycles compared with normal cycles. Analysis of covariance indicated that there was no consistent relationship between the measures of stress used here and follicular or luteal phase length within women. There was also no consistent pattern of relationship between reported mood states and stress hormone excretion within women. Further research is warranted to understand the role of stress and subtle menstrual cycle abnormalities in female fertility.     

Physical activity of adult female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) across the menstrual cycle

Physical activity is an important physiological variable impacting on a number of systems in the body. In rodents and several species of domestic animals, levels of physical activity have been reported to vary across the estrous cycle; however, it is unclear whether such changes in activity occur in women and other primates across the menstrual cycle. To determine whether significant changes in activity occur over the menstrual cycle, we continuously measured physical activity in seven adult female rhesus monkeys by accelerometry over the course of one menstrual cycle. Monkeys were checked daily for menses, and daily blood samples were collected for measurement of reproductive hormones. All monkeys displayed ovulatory menstrual cycles, ranging from 23 to 31 days in length. There was a significant increase in estradiol from the early follicular phase to the day of ovulation (F(1.005,5.023) = 40.060, P = 0.001). However, there was no significant change in physical activity across the menstrual cycle (F(2,12) = 0.225, P = 0.802), with activity levels being similar in the early follicular phase, on the day of the preovulatory rise in estradiol and during the midluteal phase. Moreover, the physical activity of these monkeys was not outside the range of physical activity that we measured in 15 ovariectomized monkeys. We conclude that, in primates, physical activity does not change across the menstrual cycle and is not influenced by physiological changes in circulating estradiol. This finding will allow investigators to record physical activity in female primates without the concern of controlling for the phase of the menstrual cycle.     

Electroencephalographic dynamics of individual alpha peak frequency during the female ovarian-menstrual cycle

Electroencephalographic brain dynamics during the menstrual, follicular, preovulatory, ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual phases of the female ovarian-menstrual cycle were analyzed. All subjects were divided into 3 groups according to individual alpha peak frequency and reaction to rhythmical photostimulation. Data obtained confirm the necessity to carry out experimental and clinical psychophysiological studies of women in the phases of the ovarian-menstrual cycle.     

Features of cardiovascular functioning during different phases of the menstrual cycle

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there is a menstrual cycle effect on heart rate, blood pressure and heart rate variability. 10 healthy regularly cycling females (age 19-23 years) were studied during the follicular phase and luteal phase over two month. We found significant changes in heart rate, AMo and stress index during the menstrual cycle with a minimum in the follicular phase and maximum in the luteal phase. The HF and LF components decreased more during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase (p < 0.05), whereas a tendency for increase LF/HF was observed in the luteal phase. In the follicular phase SDNN, pNN50, Mo, MxDMn were significantly higher than in the luteal phase. Furthermore, the VIK was higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (p = 0.003). Blood pressure did not show any significant change during both these phases of the menstrual cycle. These findings indicate that sympathetic nervous activity in the luteal phase is greater than in the follicular phase, whereas parasympathetic nervous activity is predominant in the follicular phase. A difference of the balance of ovarian hormones may be responsible for these changes of autonomic functions during the menstrual cycle.     

Cyclic changes in the charge profile of LH in anterior pituitary glands of adult female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata).

Thirteen adult female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) were sacrificed in the early and the late follicular phase, and in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and also after castration. Pituitary LH content correlated significantly with plasma estradiol levels but not progesterone levels in the cycling monkeys. Pituitary LH species were fractionated by isoelectrofocusing (1EF). Pituitary LH species were separated into six fractions by IEF. High alkaline LH and alkaline LH were the most abundant species in the late follicular phase and the mid-luteal phase, respectively. Neutral LH and acidic LH were the most abundant in the early follicular phase and in the castrates. Pituitary LH thus changed qualitatively and quantitatively during the menstrual cycle and after castration.     

Out of the mouths of baboons: stress,life history,and dental development in the Awash National Park hybrid zone,Ethiopia

The techniques of dental histology provide a method for reconstructing much of the life history of an individual, as accentuated increments visible in polarized light microscopy record incidents of physiological stress during the formation of dental tissues. Combined with counts of the normal periodic growth increments, they provide a means of reconstructing the chronology of dental development, age at death, and the ages at which stress occurs. In this study, we determine age at death and reconstruct the chronology of dental development in two male anubis baboons from Uganda and two female baboons from the Awash National Park hybrid zone. For the female baboons, we used the dates of death and rainfall records for the region to determine date of birth, ages at periods of physiological stress, dates at which these stresses occurred, and rainfall amounts for those months.Ages determined histologically for each specimen are comparable to ages estimated from dental emergence schedules and dental scores for wild baboons. Crown formation times are longer than those reported in radiographic studies of captive yellow baboons. Age at initiation of crown formation is similar to that reported for radiographic studies, but ages at completion of crown formation are consistently later. The pattern of stresses is similar in the two female baboons, suggesting that individual life history intersects with local ecology to produce a pattern of accentuated increments occurring during the weaning process and at the onset of menarche, as well as during the first postweaning dry and rainy periods.     

Research on reproductive biology of gorillas

Laboratory research has implicated several variables which contribute to the regulation of reproductive behaviour of captive gorillas. Females were found to be increasingly attractive to males during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle when estrogen and testosterone concentrations in the female were increasing. Females solicited mating from the males primarily at midcycle, about the time when the concentration of testosterone was maximal. No mating occurred during the mid- to late luteal phase after progesterone concentrations were elevated. Both males and females initiated mating during the midcycle, periovulatory period, but male initiative accounted for most mating that was temporally dissociated from that period. Individual differences between males and among females contributed to the variability in results. Confinement of a male and female in relatively small quarters appears to interact with certain aspects of species-typical behaviour to distort patterns of mating in laboratory tests. Data on behaviour of gorillas in the wild contributed to interpretation of the laboratory results and suggest an enlightened approach to the captive maintenance and breeding of gorillas. An important consideration in promoting captive breeding of gorillas seems to be the provision of options to the female for regulating the frequency and distribution of mating in the cycle.     

Why we haven't died out yet: changes in women's mimic reactions to visual erotic stimuli during their menstrual cycles

From an evolutionary point of view, female sexual desire contributes greatly to the success of reproduction by coordinating sexual behavior. It is known that female sexual desire fluctuates with the menstrual cycle. However, little is known about the role of basic emotions during menstrual cycle.We designed a facial EMG study to investigate facial expressions of joy during the menstrual cycle. 35 healthy women underwent 2 EMG sessions (T1 and T2). T1 took place in the follicular phase, T2 in the luteal phase. IAPS pictures of nude men (erotic stimuli) or of animals (control stimuli) were presented at both sessions. The activity of musculus zygomaticus major (responsible for expressing joy) was measured. We tested the hypothesis that zygomaticus activity is more pronounced in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase.The main result was that during the follicular phase, significantly more zygomaticus reactions were observed than during the luteal phase. This effect was restricted only to erotic stimuli. We concluded that an increased positive emotional responsiveness to erotic stimuli during the follicular phase is an important precondition for the probability of sexual activity during the conceptive days and thus for the success of reproduction.     

Effects of Adrenocorticotropin Treatment on Estrogen,Luteinizing Hormone,and Progesterone Secretion in the Female Rhesus Monkey

Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) was administered to female rhesus monkeys in order to determine the effects of adrenal axis activation on the endocrine events occurring during the menstrual cycle. ACTH injected twice daily during the follicular period and through the time of expected ovulation was found to prevent the rise of estrogens during the follicular phase. In addition, the ACTH administration also blocked the preovulatory surge of LH, prevented the luteal rise of progesterone, and extended the length of the menstrual cycle.     

Impact of social environment on female chimpanzee reproductive cycles

The socio-sexual environment of a female is known to affect ovarian function. Increased male contact can enhance menstrual cycle regularity. Conversely, social deprivation constitutes a form of stress that often alters cyclicity and the secretion of reproductive hormones. The present study was carried out on captive female chimpanzees to examine possible interactions among housing conditions, menstrual cycle length, morphological changes in secondary sexual character expression and endocrine release patterns related to follicular and luteal function. Animals were housed over a period of 2 years either with a male conspecific or singly. Blood samples were collected over three cycles, and anogenital swelling changes registered to define menstrual cycle phases. Fecal sampling techniques were used to monitor cortisol as a measure of stress-load. Male presence seemed to affect female cyclicity. Females housed with a male had shorter and more regular cycles than singly housed females. Prolactin, gonadotropins and estradiol levels were generally higher in paired females during specific cycle phases. Group variation was not always significant. No differences were found in progesterone. Sexually cohabited females tended to have lower fecal cortisol metabolites immediately before and after maximum tumescence. We suggest that the close behavioral, physical and olfactory contact with a male conspecific can act as a sort of zeitgeber to modulate ovarian function by stabilizing the female cycle and, perhaps, enhancing folliculogenesis and ovulation.     

Differential expression of extracellular matrix components in the Fallopian tubes throughout the menstrual cycle

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: One of the unique characteristics of the female genital tract is the extensive tissue remodeling observed throughout the menstrual cycle. Multiple components of the extracellular matrix take part in this tissue rebuilding; however, the individual components involved have not been identified. METHODS: In the present study, the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and selected matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities in Fallopian tubes (FT) throughout the menstrual cycle were examined by PCR array, immunocytochemistry, zymography and bioinformatics. RESULTS: Of the eighty-four genes analyzed, eighty-three were expressed in the FT during at least one stage of the menstrual cycle. We observed a significant increase (>/=2-fold) in ADAMTS1, ADAMTS13, COL7A1, MMP3, MMP9, PECAM1, and THBS3 in the periovulatory phase compared to the follicular phase. Meanwhile, we observed a significant decrease (>/= 2-fold) in COL7A1, ICAM1, ITGA8, MMP16, MMP9, CLEC3B, SELE and TIMP2 in the lutheal phase compared to the periovulatory phase. Immunocytochemistry showed that MMP-3 and MMP-9 were localized in the endosalpinx during all phases of the menstrual cycle. Gelatin zymograms detected non-cycle-dependent protease activity. CONCLUSIONS: Several extracellular matrix components were regulated throughout the menstrual cycle in a cyclic pattern, suggesting a possible steroid regulation and a role in tissue remodeling and FT functions.     

Changes in social dynamics associated to the menstrual cycle in the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Behavioral changes associated to the menstrual cycle in a social group of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) were studied. Three adult females were used as experimental subjects and in these, vaginal smears were taken every other day in order to detect their menstrual cycles. Only the dominant and the mid-ranking female showed regular cycles while the low-ranking female showed amenorrhea. The menstrual cycles were divided into five periods (menstrual, premenstrual, luteal, ovulatory and follicular) which were related to the behavioral data. Social behavior recordings were taken during one hour daily for five consecutive months; the data were adjusted twice in order to follow the cycles of the females with regular menstruations. By plotting in a matrix the relative frequencies of joins and displacements, the social position of each animal as well as the group's social organization and dynamics were evaluated. A clear tendency towards social rejection (emitting less joins and increasing the amount of displacements) was detected during the premenstrual periods of the dominant female which abruptly changed towards affiliation during menstruation. This observation was detected in all group members no matter their age-sex class or social position during the five months of observation. When the data were analyzed following the mid-ranking female's cycle, no consistent changes were apparent. The importance of social stimuli in the modulation and expression of hormone-related behavior is stressed, as well as the need of using social settings in the experimental analyses of premenstrual mood and behavior disorders.     

The time interval effect on two consecutive LHRH-TRH tests on adult female baboons

To Clarify the relationship between the time interval and pituitary Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicular stimulation hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion function under LHRH-TRH stimulation, 4 mature female baboons were used. Two consecutive LHRH (100 micrograms)-TRH (250 micrograms) stimulations with a 60 min interval between them was carried out in the early follicular phase, late follicular phase and mid luteal phase in the same baboon in the first menstrual cycle, then carried out with a 120 min interval between tests in the third menstrual cycle. The LH, FSH and PRL were measured by specific radioimmunoassay. The PRL maximum response to the first bolus of TRH was higher than maximum response to the second bolus of TRH. The PRL maximum response to the second TRH at a 120 min interval was higher than the maximum response to the second TRH at a 60 min interval. It seems that the TRH had the dominant effect on PRL releasing but not on PRL Priming. The maximum LH response to the second bolus of LHRH was higher than the maximum response to the first bolus of LHRH. The LH maximum response to the second bolus of LHRH at a 60 min interval was greater than the maximum response at a 120 min interval in the follicular phase but it was the reverse in the luteal phase. The FSH response to the second LHRH was different from the LH response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Seasonal effects on ovarian folliculogenesis in rhesus monkeys

Reproductive performance is reportedly reduced in some rhesus monkeys during the summer months, even when environmental conditions are controlled. The mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon remain unknown. We noted that the pattern of folliculogenesis appeared to be altered in rhesus monkeys that continued to exhibit ovulatory menstrual cycles during the "nonbreeding" season. This study was designed to investigate the effect of season on development of the dominant follicle (DF) and upon levels of serum gonadotropins and sex steroids in animals maintained in a controlled environment. Forty-four menstrual cycles were evaluated from October, 1982 to October, 1983. Animals were housed individually in controlled light (12L:12D) and temperature (22-25 degrees C). A DF was identified by laparoscopy on Day 6 of the cycle in only 45% of cycles during the months of May through September, compared with 87.5% the remainder of the year. No effect of season was detected on either the length of the menstrual cycle or luteal phase, mean follicular diameter, or the percentage of ovulatory cycles. During the follicular phase, amounts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in peripheral sera were depressed, whereas those of luteinizing hormone (LH) were consistently elevated. Amounts of circulating estradiol were similar between groups. However, serum concentrations of progesterone were markedly reduced in the summer. Development of the DF appeared to be delayed in the early follicular phase during the summer months in those rhesus monkeys that had ovulatory menstrual cycles. This delay was accompanied by an alteration in the FSH to LH ratio. Although most cycles were ovulatory, altered follicular development resulted in deficient luteal function.