Congenital malformation of the vaginal orifice, imperforate vagina, in the common marmoset (<i>Callithrix jacchus</i>)

Abstract

The following is a report on a congenital vaginal malformation, imperforate vagina, in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). This anomaly was observed for the first time in an adult female in our research colony. There was no uterine and vaginal aplasia or atresia in her grossly normal genital tract. The plasma progesterone concentration suggested that the ovarian cycle had ceased. However, this may not be related to a functional anomaly, but rather to suppressed ovulation resulting from subordination to cagemates considering the various stages of follicular development observed.

Gene changes may minimize masculinizing and defeminizing influences of exposure to male cotwins in female callitrichine primates

“…Endocrine analyses of females indicated normative ovarian function including progesterone profiles consistent with ovulatory cycles [ 25 , 61 , 62 ] and low levels of testosterone [ 25 ] and its metabolic precursor androstenedione [ 62 ]. Ultrasound or post-mortem analyses revealed female-typical structures in the fallopian tubes, uterine horns and uterus, cervix, and vagina, ovaries that displayed primary and secondary follicles and corpora lutea, and no signs of testicular tissue [ 24 , 25 , 61 , 63 ]. In one case in which the fused labia were surgically separated, the female became pregnant and delivered a normal twin litter after pairing with a male [ 62 ].…”

Atresia Ani with Imperforate Anus in a Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

“…Documented cases include a 10-d-old squirrel monkey with multiple congenital anomalies 5 and a baboon (details not specified). 10 Although cases of atresia ani in common marmosets have not been reported previously, other congenital defects including a trisomy 13-like syndrome in one animal, 18 an imperforate vagina in another, 13 and congenitally fused labias in several animals 7 have been reported. Importantly, the cases of fused labias were found in 12 animals that came from 2 genetically related colonies.…”

Developmental and family history‐based analysis of congenital fused labia phenotype in the captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

“…In addition, recently one more report has been published, describing the case of a congenital malformation, imperforate vagina, by one of the common marmosets from a Japanese colony. 5 It remains unknown whether CFL phenotype occurs in wild marmosets among non-breeding young adult females, but personal comments from scientists working in the wild with these animals and our own observations of captive marmosets suggest that this is a captivity-associated phenomenon possibly directly or indirectly related to captive living conditions. The animals examined in the present study were born at and kept at the German Primate Center (DPZ) colony.…”

“…Two publications from other groups have reported similar cases. In addition, recently one more report has been published, describing the case of a congenital malformation, imperforate vagina, by one of the common marmosets from a Japanese colony …”