Ectopic splenic nodules in the olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis)

Post-mortem evaluation of a female sub-adult olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis) revealed a case of ectopic spleen anomaly. Three spherical masses characterized the spleen anomaly. The splenic nodules were located on the left upper quadrant of the stomach, at the distal end of the pancreas. The anterior nodule measures 1.2 cm, the middle nodule 1.9 cm and the posterior nodule 1.3 cm in diameter. Normal spleen was not observed in this case. All the three ectopic splenic nodules showed normal histological architecture. A case of ectopic splenic nodules in baboon is important in that the spleen malformation can readily be mistaken for a pathological process.     

Tracheal stenosis and adenocarcinoma in an olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis)

An adult female baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis) presented for progressive difficulty in endotracheal intubation. Over a 7-y period prior to presentation, she was anesthetized and intubated 67 times for imaging by using single-photon emission computed tomography or positron emission tomography. Laryngoscopic examination revealed tracheal stenosis. Because of increased anesthetic risk and lack of alternative use, she was euthanized, and partial necropsy focusing on the larynx, trachea, and associated structures was performed. Gross examination revealed rigidity and functional fusion of the proximal 5 or 6 tracheal rings and narrowing of the lumen. Histology revealed ossification of tracheal rings and fibrosis of overlying tissue. In addition, a transmural umbilicated mass was present midway down the cervical trachea on its dorsolateral aspect. Histology of the tracheal mass identified a relatively well-circumscribed transmural adenocarcinoma. The combination of overall histologic pattern, evidence of anaplasia, and results of immunohistochemical staining was consistent with a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Anterior tracheal stenosis is a reported complication of intubation in humans and animals. Primary tracheal neoplasms are rare in domestic and research animals and, to our knowledge, have not previously been reported to occur in nonhuman primates.     

Knuckle walking by a baboon (Papio cynocephalus).

This paper describes the development of a knuckle walking mode of locomotion by a free-living yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus). Some implications of this occurrence for theories of the evolution of knuckle walking are discussed.     

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.     

Palatal growth in baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis)

In this study the structure and development of the palate as observed in a cross-sectional collection of olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) skulls are described and analyzed using craniometric techniques. Considered are structural functional relationships among different parts of the palate, and between the palate and other parts of the craniofacial skeleton. Several inferences are drawn and speculated upon. These inferences are as follows: odontogenesis affects premaxillary growth the most during late fetal and early postnatal development; maxillary length is significantly affected by development and eruption of the maxillary dentition, whereas maxillary breadth is less affected by dental development. Growth of the palatine bones and nasopharyngeal airway is correlated with dentomasticatory changes; the developmental and functional significance of these correlations is unclear. Further inferences are that growth rates for each palatal component differ for each sex even though lengths of the components relative to total palatal dimensions show no sexual dimorphism. Also, it is determined that maxillary length remains constant, premaxillary length reduces and palatine length increases relative to total palatal length with growth.     

Sparganosis in wild-caught baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis)

BACKGROUND: Sparganosis is the infection of a paratenic host with the plerocercoid metacestode of Spirometra spp. A 12-year-old captive, pregnant, wild-caught baboon from Tanzania had multiple subcutaneous nodules. METHODS: Examination of the biopsied nodules revealed the presence of viable metacestodes. The histological morphology of the metacestodes was consistent with the genus Spirometra and other pseudophyllidean cestodes. Since species of Spirometra produce growth hormones that are active in mammals, we measured fetal and placental growth and hormone levels. Blood samples were taken from the mother and the cesarean-derived fetus for hematological, biochemical, and hormonal analyses and to test for the presence of antispargana antibodies. RESULTS: Baboon placental weight and fetal hematological, biochemical, and morphometric parameters were within normal ranges. Antibody titers to spargana did not differ significantly between mother (1.08 OD(405)) and fetus (0.91 OD(405)). Baboon maternal insulin-like growth factor and growth hormone values were also within the normal range. Estradiol and progesterone analysis in four of these animals (antibody titers ranged from 0.71 to 1.7 OD(405)) showed no statistically significant difference with age- or phase-matched cycle parameters compared with antibody-negative females. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results that have been obtained, sparganosis did not appear to affect the endocrinological profile of pregnant and cycling female baboons.     

Parturition in a feral baboon (Papio anubis)

During a study of feral baboons at the Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, the premature birth of a dead, breechborn infant was observed and photographed. The placenta was immediately eaten and the dead infant carried by the mother for two days. The birth itself attracted little attention from other troop members, but the dead infant was investigated by several baboons, especially three females who had recently become dominant to the mother in a fight.     

Oxytocin in baboon (Papio anubis) corpus luteum

Recently, using a highly specific radioimmunoassay, we have demonstrated that the concentration of oxytocin in the corpus luteum of the human and cynomolgus monkey are several fold higher than in the peripheral circulation. In this study, we have examined the corpora lutea and ovarian stroma from the ovaries of normal adult cycling baboons (Papio anubis) for the presence of oxytocin through the use of immunocytochemical procedures. Tissues obtained at laparotomy were fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in paraffin; immunoreactive oxytocin was localized with peroxidase-antiperoxidase and 3.3' diaminobenzidine. Six corpora lutea with stroma were obtained--two each from the early (Day 14-20), mid-(Day 21-24), and late (Day 25-30) stages of the luteal phase. Immunoreactive oxytocin was localized in all corpora lutea examined but was absent from all stroma samples. Larger areas of the corpus luteum from the mid-luteal phase showed staining for oxytocin, and the intensity of staining for this peptide was maximal in this phase of the cycle.     

Testicular steroidogenesis in the baboon Papio anubis.

We recently reported that the baboon testis converts pregnenolone to testosterone through the delta-4 pathway. The present studies were to determine the metabolism of intermediates of the delta-4 and delta-5 pathway by the baboon testis. Fragments (50 mg) were incubated for 3 hr with 10 muCi of the following tritium-labelled substrates: pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, or testosterone. Pregnenolone was converted to testosterone primarily through the delta-4 pathway, with accumulation of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone as predominant intermediates. Similar results were obtained in progesterone incubations. 17-hydroxyprogesterone was not efficiently metabolized by the fragments, while 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone were efficiently converted into testosterone and androstenedione. Androstenedione was metabolized primarily to testosterone, while testosterone was not a suitable substrate. Some 5alpha-androstanediol was identified in each incubate. These results suggest that although testosterone is formed from pregnenolone through the delta-4 pathway, the delta-5 intermediates are more suitable substrates for testosterone synthesis in the baboon testis.     

The differential contribution of premaxillary,maxillary, and palatine dimensions to sexual dimorphism in the adult olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis)

Measurements of the palatal components: premaxillary, maxillary, and palatine length are made on the adult skulls of 19 male and 21 femalePapio cynocephalus anubis. The relative contributions of each of these components to overall palatal length are compared between the sexes. It is found that the proportions are the same for the two sexes and concluded that sexual dimorphism observed in the adult is not the result of differential growth of one component.