Evidence for the possible occurrence of Grave’s disease in a blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons)

Abstract

The blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons) is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. A 23-year-old male housed at Mulhouse Zoo presented with lethargy, polyphagia, alopecia, and chronic weight loss. Clinical examination suggested an endocrine pathology such as hyperthyroidism. Secondary examinations included cervical ultrasound, thyroid biopsy, and scintigraphy. The latter revealed elevated thyroid activity. Blood analysis was performed to measure the level of anti-receptor thyroid-stimulating hormone antibodies, which allowed us to test the autoimmune hypothesis. The high level of antibodies together with levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and the scintigraphy images led to the diagnosis of Grave's disease. Carbimazole treatment followed by thyroidectomy resulted in a quick weight gain and general improvement in health status. The following breeding season, the treated individual sired an offspring. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of likely Grave's disease in a non-human primate.

Reproductive one health in primates

“…Thyroid function does influence reproduction, aggression, and metabolism, all of which can affect health and/or social and reproductive aspects of primates, which have a direct impact on conservation. There are published studies measuring plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones in some primate species (Aliesky et al, 2013;Behringer et al, 2014;Fayette et al, 2019;Lair et al, 1999Lair et al, , 2000Quintard et al, 2018;Seo et al, 1989;Suedmeyer, 1997). However, comparing thyroid hormone concentrations across publications is challenging.…”