Structure of sialyloligosaccharides isolated from bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) cervical mucus glycoproteins exhibiting multiple blood group activities

Mucin glycoproteins purified from cervical epithelial secretion of the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) exhibit multiple blood group activities. Alkaline borohydride reductive cleavage resulted in a mixture of neutral and acidic oligosaccharide-alditols. By high-performance liquid chromatography, seven oligosaccharides (A-4-1 to A-4-7) have been purified from the monosialyloligosaccharide fraction (A-4). Based on the results of 500-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy, in conjunction with sugar analysis and immunological assays, we propose the following structures for these oligosaccharides. (formula: see text) These structures imply that either the A, B, or H determinant may be found in combination with the Cad/Sda determinant; the oligosaccharides identified, together, account for the blood group activities exhibited by the cervical mucus.     

Polymeric structure of a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein from bovine cervical mucus.

A 16 X 10(6)-Mr glycoprotein isolated from bovine oestrus cervical mucus when reduced under conditions where disulphide-bond cleavage is essentially quantitative produces chains whose Mr from light-scattering and from sedimentation and diffusion data is some 4 X 10(6)-5 X 10(6). Pronase digestion of the chains indicates that glycosylated sequences of Mr 0.3 X 10(6)-0.5 X 10(6) are interspersed with enzyme-susceptible non-glycosylated peptide sequences.     

Growth and reproductive parameters of bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

The present paper summarizes some of the important biological and physiological data recorded over a 30-year period on the biology of bonnet monkeys in captivity. Data on sexual maturity, menstrual cyclicity, general behaviour, endocrine profile, reproductive physiology, gestation, parturition, postpartum amenorrhoea in the female, and sexual maturity, hormone profile, and seasonal variation in sperm count of the male monkeys are presented. In addition to the biological values, weights of selected organs, vertebral and dental pattern are also presented. Menarche occurred at an age of 36±4 months and the first conception in the colony occurred at an age of 54±4 months. The average menstrual cycle length was 28±4.3 days. Majority of monkeys did not cycle regularly during March–June during which the temperature reached a peak. The pregnancy index of the colony was 80% with controlled breeding. The gestation period was 166±5 days with 6–7 months postpartum amenorrhoea. Males attained sexual maturity by the age of 6–7 years and exhibited the characteristic nocturnal surge of serum testosterone at this age and sperm concentration ranged from 116–799 millions/ejaculate.     

Studies on ovarian quiescence in the lactating bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Lactating bonnet monkeys were used as a model to understand the mechanism of ovarian quiescence during lactation. The ovary of the bonnet monkey in the 3rd month of lactation responds well to exogenous pregnant mare serum gonadotropin stimulation with serum estrogen values reaching maximal levels by day 3 of the gonadotropin injection. The adminstration of ovine prolactin to such monkeys significantly inhibited the ovarian responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropin. The responsiveness of the pituitary of the lactating monkey (in the 3rd month of lactation) to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone injection was suppressed and supplementation with exogenous prolactin further accentuating this effect. The relative ability of chlorpromazine given intravenously/intramuscularly/intranasally to enhance endogenous prolactin levels was assessed. During the first 5 months of lactation when the basal prolactin levels were high, the luteinizing hormone levels were low. As the suckling stimulus reduces and prolactin levels fall, luteinizing hormone levels increase, the first post-parturient mensus occurring by 218 ± 4 days. This event was postponed by 3 months on increasing endogenous prolactin levels by administering chlorpromazine (250 μg/day by intranasal mode) over a 5 day period every month starting from the 3rd month of lactation.     

Molecular cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of cDNA encoding bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) zona pellucida glycoprotein

Zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins have been proposed as candidate antigens for an immunocontraceptive vaccine. The efficacy of such a vaccine has to be evaluated in nonhuman primates, thus necessitating the characterization of their ZP glycoproteins. A bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) ovarian cDNA λgt11 library was screened for ZP2 (bZP2) using full-length human ZP2 cDNA as a probe. Two identical full-length clones with an open reading frame of 2235 nt encoding a polypeptide of 745 aa residues were isolated. The deduced aa sequence of bZP2 revealed high sequence identity (94.2%) with human ZP2. The bZP2 cDNA (115–1914 nt, 1.8 kb), excluding sequences coding for N-terminal signal sequence and C-terminal transmembranelike domain, was PCR amplified and Sac1-Sal1 restricted fragment cloned in frame downstream of the T5 promoter under the lac operator control in a pQE-30 vector. Recombinant bZP2 (r-bZP2) was expressed as a polyhistidine fusion protein in Escherichia coli strain M15 [pREP4]. Immunoblot with rabbit polyclonal antibodies against bZP2 synthetic peptide (corresponding to aa residues 429–444; K₄₃₄ replaced by R and I₄₃₆ by V) revealed a major band of 68 kDa. Immunization of male rabbits with the r-bZP2 protein purified on Ni-NTA resin under denaturing conditions generated antibodies reactive with r-bZP2 in ELISA as well as with native protein as revealed by positive fluorescence of ZP of bonnet monkey ovary. The availability of r-bZP2 and its aa sequence will help in the development and evaluation of a contraceptive vaccine based on ZP2. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 50:229–239, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Estrogen modulation of riboflavin carrier protein in the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Circulatory concentrations of riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) were quantitated in bonnet macaques by employing a heterologous radioimmunoassay involving 125I-labelled chicken RCP and its antiserum. The levels of monkey RCP in the serum seem to be governed by the estrogenic status of the animals. An increase in concentration of serum estradiol in the adult females during the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy could be correlated with enhanced serum RCP levels. Estadiol-17 beta administered to both immature female and male monkeys, specifically brought about elevated levels of RCP with a slower time course of response in males than in females. These results could be a reflection of a more rapid decline of both circulatory estrogen and RCP concentrations in male serum. Repeated administration of estradiol-17 beta to male animals led to prolonged elevated levels of RCP following estrogen administration. Thus, it would appear that the evolutionary conservation of RCPs from the aves to the primates encompasses not only their physicochemical similarities but also extends to the estrogenic modulation of their elaboration.     

Estradiol levels near the time of ovulation in the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

Plasma estradiol-17beta and total progestins were determined to delineate the relationship between preovulatory estradiol-17beta peak and ovulation in the bonnel monkey (Macaca radiata). 6 monkeys were studied for 15 menstrual cycles. In subsequent cycles, serial laparotomy was performed in 5 of the 6 monkeys to correlate ovarian morphology to plasma estradiol-17beta. In 11 of the 15 cycles, estradiol-17beta peaks were 3- to 7-fold above baseline levels near the time of expected ovulation (Cycle Days 7-12). Plasma progestin rose significantly from follicular phase levels of .5 ng/ml to 2.6 ng/ml the day of the estradiol-17beta peak with peak levels of 4.5 ng/ml on the following day. Ovarian morphology in 4 of the 5 observed by laparotomy demonstrated ovulation within 48 hours following an estradiol-17beta peak of approximately 300 pb/ml.     

Outcast males and social structure among bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata)

Outcast males are a regular feature of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese (M. fuscata) macaque societies but are rare among bonnet macaques (M. radiata). Apparently bonnets have other solutions than ostracism for their social problems. For example, in many troops the male-female ratio ranges from 0.7?1.0+; and, as the young adult males grow to full social and physical maturity, they remain in the troop and participate actively in social relationships. A few troops of bonnet macaques, however, have a network of social relationships which prevents the young males from being integrated into the social system; in some of these cases, male isolation occurs. A comparison of the social relations between males in bonnet macaque societies of both types suggests that societies with strong male-male bonds accommodate their growing males better than those with highly individual males.     

Antifertility effect of tamoxifen as tested in the female bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

The administration of a potent antiestrogen, tamoxifen at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight/day orally post-coitally to cycling mated bonnet monkeys(Macaca radiata) from days 18–30 of cycle resulted in inhibition of establishment of pregnancy in 9 out of 10 monkeys. Tamoxifen effect was not due to interference with luteal function. The effect was specific to tamoxifen as exogenously administered progesterone could not reverse it. In addition to suggesting a role for estrogen in maintenance of early pregnancy in the primate the present study could be a prelude to the development of an effective post-ovulatory approach for regulation of fertility in the human female     

Granulosa theca cell tumor with luteoma in the ovary of a bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

A mass was identified on the left caudal region of the abdomen in a 13-year-old bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata). The mass was excised and diagnosed as granulosa theca cell tumor accompanied with luteoma based on the microscopic findings. Morphologically it appeared pink, round, firm multilobulated measured approximately 5 x 3 x 2.5 cm in dimension. Histologically the luteoma composed of polyhedral cells with pale strained vacuolated cytoplasm, centrally located nuclei with distinct cytoplasmic borders. Granulosa theca cell tumor appeared as densely packed spindle shaped fusiform cells arranged in interlacing bundles and whorled pattern with neoplastic cells appearing irregular shaped solid sheets. The concomitant development of granulosa theca cell tumor with luteoma in a single ovary is very rare and is the first reported case in a bonnet macaque to our knowledge.