Development of the sexual skin with pubertal maturation in female chimpanzees.
We examined the adolescent development of the sexual skin of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) by daily observation, evaluation of swelling, and weekly photogrametry. Although the size of swelling differed with the individual, the development of sexual swelling followed four stages: (1) initial stage, the labial region began to show a slight swelling and recovery; (2) labial stage, swelling at the labial region became maximal; (3) anal stage, another swelling center appeared in the anal region and enlarged; and (4) full maturity stage, the labial and anal regions merged into a full swelling. Menarche occurred after the beginning of the anal stage, and the regular cycle was then established. All of the swelling stages and the peak swelling size are regarded as good indicators of reproductive maturation in chimpanzees.
Mori
Yusuke
Y
Kumamoto Primate Research Park, Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co. Ltd, Uki, Kumamoto 869-3201, Japan. y_mori@skk-net.com
Shimoda
Kohji
K
Kobayashi
Hisao
H
Hayasaka
Ikuo
I
Hamada
Yuzuru
Y
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena