Follicular Development and Ovulation in the Marmoset Monkey as Determined by Repeated Laparoscopic Examination1

Abstract

This paper describes the course of follicular development in vivo in the marmoset monkey, the only anthropoid primate with a relatively high (2-4) and variable ovulation number. Results are presented in relation to predictions from a mathematical model of control of follicle selection and ovulation number. Repeated laparoscopic examinations during the follicular phase were conducted for 14 cycles. Ovulatory follicles were 1.0 mm (median) in diameter at Day 6 and could be distinguished from nonovulatory follicles by Day 8, at which point they were 2.0 mm in diameter. Ovulations were not synchronous; the most common observation 1-2 days after the estradiol peak was ovulation of one follicle but not the other. Examination of the course of follicular development within a cycle and the distribution of ovulation sites both supported predictions stemming from a mathematical model of follicle selection developed by Lacker et al. [Biol Reprod 1987; 37:570-580]. Specific findings were the following: 1) Variations in patterns of follicle growth within a cycle resembled those generated by the model; in 64% of cycles, the 2-3 ovulatory follicles grew at similar rates. However, in 36% of cycles, ovulatory follicles displayed disparate rates of growth. 2) An examination of the distribution of ovulation sites (right versus left) revealed no significant difference from a binomial distribution, suggesting the likelihood that interovarian (rather than intraovarian) factors control this distribution.

Number of ovulations in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus): Relation to body weight, age and repeatability

“…The details of this procedure have been previously published [Tardif et al, 1993]. A laparoscopic exam conducted during the period from 1 to 13 days after ovulation was used to determine number of ovulations.…”

“…Marmosets (along with other members of the primate family Callitrichidae) have a relatively high and variable reproductive output per reproductive event when compared to other anthropoid primates. Ovulations of 2, 3 or 4 ova per cycle are routinely observed in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), while litter sizes of 1 to 4 are also routinely observed [Hearn, 1983;Tardif et al, 1993]. While the number of ova ovulated per cycle in free-ranging marmosets is unknown, litter sizes of two or one are most common [Stevenson & Rylands, 1988;Digby & Ferrari, 1994;Mendes-Pontes & Monteiro da Cruz, 1995].…”

Luteotrophic effects of relaxin, chorionic gonadotrophin and FSH in common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus)

“…The marmoset monkey is a polyovulatory species (Tardif et al 1993) with a cycle length of 28 days (10 days of follicular phase, 18 days of luteal phase, term of pregnancy w144 days; Hodges et al 1983). On average, implantation occurs on day 11 after ovulation (Hearn et al 1988).…”

In Vitro Manipulation of Nonhuman Primate Gametes for Embryo Production and Embryo Transfer.

“…Methods to synchronize menstrual cycles [13,21,76] or to confirm ovulation [39,97,104] have been reported and will be useful for ET.…”