Ovarian senescence in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).
BACKGROUND
A decline in fertility is evident in human females past their middle thirties. This 'reproductive senescence', marked by a sharp decline in pregnancy rates, may be attributed to reductions in numbers of available oocytes and their quality. Because Old World primates exhibit ovarian morphology and physiological control and timing of menstrual cycles closely resembling those of humans, the current study investigated the rhesus macaque as a potential model for human reproductive senescence.


METHODS
Ovaries collected from females aged 1-25 years and divided into five age groups were analysed histologically.


RESULTS
General ovarian morphology demonstrated significant changes as the females approached menopause. The proportions of primordial and primary follicles all demonstrated significant differences across age groups (primordial: 77.1, 79.9, 69.7, 62.9, 55.1%; primary: 21.5, 18.8, 28.5, 35.2, 43.1% for age groups 1 to 5 respectively; P<0.0001 for both). Samples from females approaching or undergoing the menopausal transition (aged 20-25 years) demonstrated evidence of ovarian senescence, having scattered and atretic follicles, low numbers of primordial follicles and reduced stromal tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the value of the rhesus monkey as a model for reproductive ageing because its ovary undergoes follicular reservoir depletion similar to that seen in humans.
Nichols
S M
SM
University of New Orleans, Department of Biological Sciences, New Orleans, Tulane Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Excellence in Women's Health, New Orleans and Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana 70433, USA.
Bavister
B D
BD
Brenner
C A
CA
Didier
P J
PJ
Harrison
R M
RM
Kubisch
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy