title: The baboon (Papio sp.) as a model for female reproduction studies.
abstract: Due to their size and anatomical similarity to humans, baboons make an excellent model for reproductive studies. Baboons have a simple short cervix, muscular uterus, ovaries just lateral to the uterus and similar vasculature to that of humans. Because of the size of the animals, instruments designed for use in women can be readily used on baboons. Noninvasive determination of phase of estrous cycle is readily made by observation of changes in perineal sexual skin turgor and color.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some advantages of use of baboons compared to other nonhuman primates is that they are nonseasonal breeders allowing for studies to be conducted year round, have minimal infectious disease risks to humans as they do not carry Herpes B and have a social structure allowing for easy group formation. Baboons serve as good models for many conditions in humans and should be considered for studies investigating reproductive issues.
authors.affiliation: Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, PO Box 760549, San Antonio, TX 78245-0549, USA. Electronic address: cbauer@lrri.org.
authors.forename: Cassondra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D023421:Models, Animal; D010215:Papio / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D012919:Social Behavior; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female
keywords: Baboon; Contraception; Gynecology; Model; Nonhuman primate; Research