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

Abstract

Because of their close phylogenic relationship with humans, the use of non-human primates (NHP) as experimental subjects has a long history in biomedical research. Although research topics have shifted focus and species used have changed, NHP remain vital as models in basic and applied research. While there is a wealth of information available on the spontaneous lesions of NHP, most of this information is fragmented, dated, or narrow in focus, often limited to single case reports. This review attempts to integrate this information to illustrate and enumerate the spectrum of spontaneous pathology of the reproductive tract and mammary gland of NHP. Although not the focus of this review, steroid-related changes are inextricably linked to these tissues, and brief consideration is given to this subject as well.

Evaluating the progenitor cells of ovarian cancer: analysis of current animal models

“…Carcinomas account for about 23% of the ovarian cancers detected in non-human primates, and these show remarkable similarity to those observed in humans, as all four histotypes have been observed and show similar patterns of progression and metastasis (36). However, no fallopian tube cancers have been observed in the macaque, although hyperplasia and nuclear atypia have been observed (36).…”

“…Features of the macaque reproductive system closely mimic that of the human, with similar anatomy, length of menstrual cycles, and development of menopause as the animal ages (36). Importantly, unlike other animal models used to study ovarian cancer such as the rodent or the laying hen, the non-human primate exhibits fallopian tubes similar to those of humans, with the epithelial cells on the outer surface of the tissue in contact with the peritoneal surface and contiguous with the OSE (Fig.…”

“…Both humans and non-human primates develop ovarian cancers at low rates, with human females having an approximately 2% risk of developing ovarian carcinomas, and non-human primates having about a 0.4% risk (37)(38)(39). However, unlike in humans, where the vast majority of ovarian cancers are epithelial, the most common types of ovarian cancer in non-human primates are granulosa cell tumors or sex-cord stromal tumors (36,40). Carcinomas account for about 23% of the ovarian cancers detected in non-human primates, and these show remarkable similarity to those observed in humans, as all four histotypes have been observed and show similar patterns of progression and metastasis (36).…”

“…However, unlike in humans, where the vast majority of ovarian cancers are epithelial, the most common types of ovarian cancer in non-human primates are granulosa cell tumors or sex-cord stromal tumors (36,40). Carcinomas account for about 23% of the ovarian cancers detected in non-human primates, and these show remarkable similarity to those observed in humans, as all four histotypes have been observed and show similar patterns of progression and metastasis (36). However, no fallopian tube cancers have been observed in the macaque, although hyperplasia and nuclear atypia have been observed (36).…”

Adenomyofibroma of the Fimbria in a Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca Fascicularis)

“…?show "fnote_aff1"$^! "content-markup(./author-grp [1]/aff|./author-grp [1]/dept-list)> Neoplasms of the female reproductive tract in old-world monkeys have been reported 3,4 extensively in the uterus and ovaries. However, neoplasms arising from the uterine tube are extremely rare.…”