Changes in the Reproductive Organs Depending on Phases of Reproductive Cycle and Aging in Female Cynomolgus Monkeys

Abstract

In order to prepare background data for toxicity studies, reproductive organs of a total of 106 purpose-bred female cynomolgus monkeys 2.0 to 9.0 years of age were surveyed for the sequence of events during reproductive cycles. Based on histological features, these animals were classified into groups according to the six phases of the reproductive cycle in addition to a group at the immature stage. Follicular phases were characterized by development of follicles and luteal phases by development of functional corpus luteum. Proliferation of endometrial glands started at the follicular phase and reached the maximum at the luteal phase. Features in the menstrual phase were almost the same as those in the follicular phases except for the shedding of superficial surface of endometrium. The percentage of animals in the phases of follicular development was 51%, and those in luteal development 46%, indicating roughly equal duration of both phases of the reproductive cycle. Absolute and relative weights of the ovaries and uterus were lowest in early follicular phase and gradually increased and reached the maximum in the early luteal phase, then decreased to the level of the early follicular phase. The difference in weight between the bigger and smaller ovaries, remarkable between 5.0 to 5.5 years of age, was at the maximum in the early luteal phase. The absolute weight of the ovaries and uterus increased rapidly and reached its peak between 5.0 to 5.5 years of age and remained unchanged thereafter, although the body weight gradually increased up to 9.0 years of age.