The neuro-toxin MPTP does not prevent reproduction in marmosets

Stephen G Nuara,Lori A Burgess,Philippe Huot,Adjia Hamadjida,Jim C Gourdon

doi:10.12688/mniopenres.12818.2

Abstract

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neuro-toxin that has been employed to model Parkinson’s disease in non-human primates for over 3 decades. Despite its use for such a long period, little is known about the effects of MPTP on reproductive function. Here, we report the case of a male marmoset which was able to procreate 1.5 year after having been administered the toxin. We also report on 1 male and 1 female MPTP-lesioned marmosets which produced babies after being housed together for 5 years. These cases suggest that MPTP may not interfere with marmoset reproductive function or that if it does, it may be for a limited period of time.

Highlights

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has been used to model Parkinson’s disease since 19841 and since nearly 100 experimental drugs that aim at alleviating disease manifestations and treatment-related complications have been assessed in this small primate[2]
Based on our experience, when female marmosets give birth to triplets, it is expected that one baby may not survive, and it is unlikely that this casualty can be attributed to MPTP
Here, we report that marmosets were able to procreate after having been administered with the neuro-toxin MPTP

Summary

Introduction

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has been used to model Parkinson’s disease since 19841 and since nearly 100 experimental drugs that aim at alleviating disease manifestations and treatment-related complications have been assessed in this small primate[2]. Marmosets are typically rendered parkinsonian by administration of a neuro-toxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which destroys dopaminergic neurons[3], leading to a parkinsonian phenotype. Despite this abundant literature, whether MPTP interferes with marmosets’ ability to procreate has, to our knowledge, not been documented. We report the case of 3 marmosets which were able to generate offspring after having been administered MPTP

Methods

Results

Conclusion