Noninvasive monitoring of follicle development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation in the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) by ultrasonography

Abstract

This is the first paper to describe ovarian changes associated with follicular growth, ovulation, and corpus luteum (CL) formation as monitored by ultrasonography in a multiovular primate, the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus). Examinations were carried out transabdominally on unsedated females using a 10 MHz probe. Cycles were monitored by plasma progesterone and controlled by administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF). The reliability of ultrasound was validated by comparing findings with direct observation of the ovaries at laparotomy. In eight females, 25 follicles were counted, of which 92% were depicted correctly by ultrasound. Of 14 CLs in five females, number and position were confirmed at laparotomy for 78%. Ultrasound examinations of ovaries throughout the follicular and luteal phase were performed in eight cycles and related to plasma profiles of luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone. One of these cycles was anovulatory. In the remaining seven cycles, 19 follicles were considered ovulatory follicles since they were seen on consecutive days and found again as CLs. Growth of individual follicles was monitored by measurements of follicle diameter from day 7 onward. Disappearance of follicles or changes in echogenicity were noted between days 9 and 11, preventing further measurements. Mean follicle size increased from 2.1 mm (range 1.6 mm–2.7 mm) on day 7 to 3.2 mm (range 2.7 mm–4.0 mm) on the day last seen. With one exception, the day follicles were last seen by ultrasound was consistent with the day of the preovulatory LH surge (day 9–11). The postovulatory rise in progesterone occurred 1–2 days later (day 11–13). These findings suggest that the day of ovulation as observed by ultrasound was characterized by either disappearance of follicles or increased follicular echogenicity. In conclusion, ultrasonography provides a reliable, noninvasive method for examinations of the ovarian cycle in the marmoset monkey. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Ovarian and Uterine Ultrasonography in Aotus azarai infulatus

“…The oval or ellipsoid shape we observed was similar to that described in primates and in other species (Eckstein 1958;Oerke et al 1996;Sauerbrei et al 2000). The literature described owl monkey ovaries as large structures, considering the size of the individuals (Hertig et al 1976), with an oval shape and dimensions similar to those identified in our study, considering the mean and standard deviation.…”

“…Other authors also reported difficulty in identifying the CL in Neotropical primates (Dempsey 1939;Wislocki 1939). Morgan et al (1987) could not easily identify ovulation and the initial CL in rhesus monkeys via ultrasound, although other authors did not report this difficulty (Adams et al 1992;Oerke et al 1996). Usually, New World primate ovaries are proportionally larger than in Old World NHPs as a result of the large amount of interstitial glandular tissue (Koering 1974).…”

Efficient Embryo Transfer in the Common Marmoset Monkey (Callithrix jacchus) with a Reduced Transfer Volume: A Non-Surgical Approach with Cryopreserved Late-Stage Embryos1

“…As a result, the birth rate was significantly higher in the latter than in the former, although the analysis was applied to a small number of samples and must, therefore, be interpreted cautiously. Ovulation numbers of the common marmoset are two or more [1][2][3], but litter sizes may be reduced during pregnancy [15,16], most likely in response to proximate environmental factors. As a consequence, marmosets in captivity can deliver from one to four offspring per litter, with two being the most common.…”

“…Among primate species, common marmosets have characteristics that make them especially suitable for primate embryology research, e.g., the ovulation of two or more oocytes per ovarian cycle [1][2][3], an early age for sexual maturity (approximately 18 mo) [4], and a lack of seasonal infertility. Recently, the production of transgenic monkeys has been reported [5,6], and its use will likely be widespread.…”

Different ovarian responses to potential mates underlie species-specific breeding strategies in common marmoset and Goeldi's monkey

“…Ultrasonography has been shown to provide a reliable method for assessment of ovarian status and for detection and monitoring of pregnancy in callitrichids (Oerke et al, 1995(Oerke et al, , 1996(Oerke et al, , 2002. Ultrasonographic examinations were carried out transabdominally on unsedated females (Goeldi's monkey) or on females that were anesthetized with isofluorane (common marmoset).…”