Calcification in the adrenals and ovaries of monkeys

Abstract

363Summary Adrenal calcification occurred in 52·6% of rhesus monkeys, 4· 7% of cynomolgus monkeys and 2·4'% of baboons examined. In contrast, ovarian calcification was observed in 62·3% of baboons, 38'J{, of cynomolgus and 22·3% of rhesus monkeys examined.Calcification occurs commonly in devitalized tissues. The incidence shows considerable species ditTerences. Ross, Gainer & Innes (1955) (1974) and Ishmael (1975).During routine toxicological investigations, differences were observed in the incidences of such lesions between ditTerent species of primates, and the relative sparsity of information on the subject suggested the present brief communication.Materials and methods 1020 pairs of adrenals and 476 pairs of ovaries from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and baboons (Papio anubis) were examined. These monkeys were control and treated animals of I· 5-4 years old from various toxicity studies over a period of years. They were obtained from a commercial supplier (Shamrock Farms (Great Britain) Ltd, Small Dole, Henfield, Sussex, BN5 9XE, UK), and housed individually in cages specifically designed to house primates in clean and secure conditions. The rooms in which the animals were kept, in relative isolation from external disturbances, were maintained at a temperature of approximately 22°C. Food consisted of a standard mixed diet supplemented with bread, fruit and vegetables. Vitamins C and BI2 were added to drinking water one day per week. All monkeys had free access to drinking water.Blood calcium levels were estimated along with other parameters on all the monkeys as part of routine investigation. The animals were killed by intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbitone. At post-mortem examination, adrenals, ovaries and other tissues were collected and fixed in 10% butTered formalin. 5 ,um thick paraffin-embedded sections were prepared and stained with Harris's haematoxylin and eosin. Selected sections were stained by the Von Kossa, alizarin red and Perl's method. ResultsAdrenal foci of calcification were observed mainly at the corticomedullary junction. Several of these foci appeared laminated (Fig. 1). In some cases, foci of mineralization extended further into the zona fasciculata (Fig. 2). A thin fibrous capsule was discernible around some of these lesions, but there was no inflammatory reaction. Sections were positive for calcium, and some showed minimal Perl's positive reaction for iron deposits.Cortical ovarian foci of calcification were seen mainly in primary follicles, and frequently showed a

Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation in 6-OHDA-Treated Nonhuman Primates

“…Focal mineral deposits were observed in 50% of the animals (approximately equal numbers of control and experimental), a common histological finding in adult rhesus monkeys [31], [32] and baboons [33]. A single incidental focus of fibrosis was detected in the medulla of a 6-OHDA-treated animal; no other significant lesions were observed in the adrenal medulla (Figure 2A,B).…”

Incidences and Range of Spontaneous Findings in Control Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) Used in Toxicity Studies

“…The findings in this study were generally consistent with the incidence and occurrence of similar lesions described in the literature. These findings include gastritis (Drevon-Gaillot et al 2006; Scott 1999), interstitial nephritis (Bennet et al 1998; Drevon-Gaillot et al 2006), inflammatory lesions of the heart (Chamanza et al 2006; Drevon-Gaillot et al 2006; Keenan and Vidal 2006), inflammatory cell infiltrations in the liver (Foster 2005; Ito et al 1992), tension lipidosis of the liver (Drevon-Gaillot et al 2006), mineralization in the adrenal gland (Kast et al 1994; Majeed and Gopinath 1980), pneumoconiosis in the lungs, pigment in the lamina propria of the small intestine (Drevon-Gaillot et al 2006; Scott 1999), and lung findings associated with continuous intravenous infusion (Lilbert and Burnett 2003). In addition, a well-presented and extensive review of incidental findings and nonlesions in primates and their possible etiologies has also been published (Lowenstine 2003), and most of the findings discussed in this particular paper were evident in our study.…”

Calcified foci at the junction between adrenal cortex and medulla of rhesus monkeys

“…Laminated calcium deposits among primary follicles in ovaries are well-known findings in rhesus monkeys and occur in about 40% of the animals according to our studies reported with the strain. Ovarian calcification has been observed in 62-81 % of baboons, 38% of cynomolgus and 22% of rhesus monkeys (Ishmael 1975, Majeed & Gopinath 1980. The finding is said to disappear together with the shrinking number of primary follicles.…”

“…An impressive picture of the lesions in their final stage has been shown by Liebegott (1958), courtesy of Lund (1956l. The incidence of the finding in 3 monkey species has been compared by Majeed and Gopinath (1980). The aetiology and pathogenesis of adrenal calcinosis in monkeys have not yet been established, but stress has been suggested as a disposing factor (Skelton-Stroud and Ishmael 1985).…”