Anatomical description of the periprostatic nerves in the male rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Abstract

The male rhesus monkey is limited suitable as an animal model for studies on the periprostatic nerves provided the following differences to humans are considered: the special topography of the prostate, the nerve course along the seminal vesicles and the missing nerve accumulation dorsolaterally to the prostate.

Nonhuman primate model of persistent erectile and urinary dysfunction following radical prostatectomy: Feasibility of minimally invasive therapy

“…Nonhuman primates (NHP) share with human beings many similarities in risk of age‐associated diseases . Their main disadvantages are high cost, animal rights sensitivity and specialized husbandry requirements.…”

“…Additionally, their pelvic anatomy (intra‐pelvic bladder and omega‐shape urinary sphincter) make them very different from other animal models, where the bladder and urethra are located in the abdomen. While female monkeys of this species have been well characterized for their similarities/dissimilarities in genitourinary structure and function, this has not been extensively characterized in male monkeys. We now report many similarities in gross anatomy of the distal urogenital tract between male cynomolgus monkeys and human males.…”

“…To improve therapeutic strategies and better understand the pathophysiology of either UI and ED, a reliable animal model that mimics human conditions may be useful. Cynomolgus monkeys share with human beings a similar genitourinary anatomy and physiology, including the risk for age associated diseases . We have been able to produce chronic urinary sphincter dysfunction (ISD) in females of this species and successfully treat them with the chemokine CXCL12, which is a chemotactic factor for mesenchymal stem cells and plays an important role in angiogenesis .…”