Intrauterine Choriocarcinoma in a Rhesus Monkey

Abstract

Spontaneous neoplasms of all types are rare in primates other than man. This well-known fact can be illustrated by neoplasms of the female genital tract, for which there are only 3 properly documented cases in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), despite the remarkable numbers of this species used in research. Carcinoma of the cervix accounts for 2 cases4, l3 and cystadenoma of the ovary for the thirdz. The present paper reports an additional neoplasm originating in the reproductive tract of the rhesus monkey. The animal was one of 70 mature females used over 5 years in studies by one of us (L.R.W.) to determine the effects of progesterone-like drugs on fetal development14. History A mature female M. mdatta (D-17) arrived by air from Pakistan on September 6, 1963. She weighed 3.2 kg. During the next 4 months she continued to appear healthy and monthly tuberculin tests were negative. In early January, 1964, she was transferred to a breeding colony of individually caged animals numbering approximately 25 females and 5 males. On January 21, 1964, there was onset of a menstrual cycle as detected by daily vaginal lavage. The animal was caged with a mature male from January 31 to February 5, but she either failed to conceive or aborted during ensuing weeks. She was mated again in June without conception. Another cycle began in mid September and she was mated again. O n October 27 pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation. Subsequently, norethindrone enanthate (Parke-Davis) was given experimentally for 1 month (25 mg daily except on weekends). The animal continued in apparent good health, at least until mid December, 1964. This is supported by weights recorded at the time of monthly tuberculin tests.

Spontaneous lesions in the reproductive tract and mammary gland of female non‐human primates

“…Tumors are typically discovered in a post‐partum interval of variable length, and 7 of 59 patas monkeys given the mutagen ethylnitrosourea (ENU) during pregnancy developed choriocarcinomas within 6 months (Rice et al, 1981). This tumor has also been reported as a spontaneous occurrence in a rhesus, which was given norethindrone enanthate (a progestagen) and isoniazid (an antimicrobial) during pregnancy (Lindsey et al, 1969). Barr bodies in the tumor cells were reported in the rhesus, suggesting an XX genotype.…”

Choriocarcinoma and Teratoma in the Ovary of a Cynomolgus Monkey

“…7 An intrauterine choriocarcinoma was associated with pregnancy in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). 3 The choriocarcinoma found in the ovary here could be a metastasis from the uterus; however, this is unlikely because the monkey had never been pregnant.…”

Neoplasia and Proliferative Disorders of Nonhuman Primates

“…Most commonly recorded in the rhesus macaque are leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas (Lindsey et al, 1969;Kollias, 1979;Cook et al, 2004) (Figure 6.11). Other more uncommon tumors of the uterus in rhesus macaques include choriocarcinoma (Kollias, 1979), adenocarcinoma (Strozier et al, 1972;Kollias, 1979), cervical papilloma (Kollias, 1979), uterine sarcoma (Plesker et al, 2002), and cervical carcinoma (Hisaw and Hisaw, 1958).…”