Advertisement
Historical perspective| Volume 3, ISSUE 2, P157-166, August 1981

Chimpanzee reproductive senescence: A possible model for evolution of the menopause

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5122(81)90007-4
Chimpanzee reproductive senescence: A possible model for evolution of the menopause
Previous ArticleContinuous treatment with natural oestrogens and progestogens. A method to avoid endometrial stimulation
Next ArticleEffect of megestrol acetate on flushing and bone metabolism in post-menopausal women
      This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.

      Abstract

      Reproductive senescence was studied in 2 female Pan troglodytes and one Pan paniscus over 40 yr old. Menstrual cycle data for these animals, in the last 3 yr, when compared to that of the same animals in previous years and to records obtained between 1967 and 1980 on 51 Pan troglodytes between 18–39 yr old, demonstrated increased length of menstrual cycles, as shown by decrease in frequency of menses.
      Oestrone glucuronide and pregnanediol glucuronide were measured in 24-h urine samples by radioimmunoassay. The pattern of excretion differed only slightly from that of younger animals. One Pan troglodytes had reduced oestrogen levels, but normal gonadotropin levels. The single ovulatory peak of LH normally seen in younger animals was replaced by multiple peaks in the Pan troglodytes.
      Menopause was observed in the Pan paniscus as documented by cessation of menstrual cyclicity, elevation of gonadotropin levels, and exaggerated response to injection of 100 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The FSH: LH ratio was reversed in this animal. Histology of the ovaries of the Pan paniscus revealed a paucity of primary and developing follicles, and an increase in fibrous tissue. The Pan troglodytes appear to be peri-menopausal. This data suggests that the chimpanzee may serve as a model for certain phases of reproductive senescence in the human.

      Keywords

      To read this article in full you will need to make a payment

      Purchase one-time access:

      Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online access
      One-time access price info
      • For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
      • For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'

      Subscribe:

      Subscribe to Maturitas
      Already a print subscriber? Claim online access
      Already an online subscriber? Sign in
      Register: Create an account
      Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect

      References

        • Graham C.E.
        Reproductive function in aged female chimpanzees.
        Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 1979; 50: 291-300
        • Van Wagenen G.
        Vital statistics from a breeding colony: reproduction and pregnancy outcome in Macaca mulatta.
        J. Med. Primatol. 1972; 1: 3
        • Hodgen G.D.
        • Goodman A.L.
        • O'Connor A.
        • Johnson D.K.
        Menopause in rhesus monkeys: model for study of disorders in the human climacteric.
        Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 1977; 127: 581-584
        • Graham C.E.
        • Kling O.R.
        • Steiner R.A.
        Reproductive senescence in female non-human primates.
        in: Bowden D.M. Aging in Nonhuman Primates. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York1979: 183-202
        • Flint M.
        Does the chimpanzee have a menopause?.
        Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 1976; 44: 178-179
        • Dorfman R.I.
        Steroid hormones in the chimpanzee.
        in: Bourne G.H. The Chimpanzee. Karger, Basel1970: 167-182
        • Graham C.E.
        • Collins D.C.
        • Robinson H.
        • Preedy J.R.K.
        Urinary levels of estrogens and pregnanediol and plasma levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle of the chimpanzee: relationship to the sexual swelling.
        Endocrinology. 1972; 91: 13-24
        • Graham C.E.
        Reproductive physiology of the chimpanzee.
        in: Bourne G.H. The Chimpanzee. Karger, Basel1970: 183-200
        • Graham C.E.
        Menstrual cycle of the great apes.
        in: Graham C.E. Reproductive Biology of the Great Apes: Comparative and Biomedical Perspectives. Academic Press, New York1981
        • Graham C.E.
        • Bradley C.F.
        Microanatomy of the chimpanzee genital system.
        in: Bourne G.H. The Chimpanzee. Karger, Basel1972: 77-126
        • Graham C.E.
        • McClure H.M.
        Ovarian tumors and related lesions in aged chimpanzees.
        Vet. Pathol. 1977; 14: 380-386
        • Treloar A.E.
        • Boynton R.E.
        • Behn B.G.A.
        • Brown B.W.
        Variation of the human menstrual cycle throughout reproductive life.
        Int. J. Fertil. 1967; 12: 77
        • Graham C.E.
        Chimpanzee endometrial and sexual swelling during menstrual cycle or hormone administration.
        Folia Primatol. 1973; 19: 458-468
        • Gould K.G.
        Veterinary management of the experimental subject.
        in: Graham C.E. Reproductive Biology of the Great Apes: Comparative and Biomedical Perspectives. Academic Press, New York1981
        • Wright K.
        • Collins D.C.
        • Preedy J.R.K.
        Comparative specificity of antisera raised against estrone, estradiol-17β and estriol using 6-0-carboxymethyloxime bovine serum albumen derivatives.
        Steroids. 1973; 21: 755-759
        • Graham C.E.
        • Gould K.G.
        • Collins D.C.
        • Preedy J.R.K.
        Regulation of gonadotropin release by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and estrogen in chimpanzees.
        Endocrinology. 1979; 105: 269-275
        • Reyes F.I.
        • Winter J.S.D.
        • Faiman C.
        • Hobson W.C.
        Serial serum levels of gonadotropins, prolactin and sex steroids in the nonpregnant and pregnant chimpanzee.
        Endocrinology. 1975; 91: 13-24
        • Sherman B.M.
        • West J.H.
        • Korenman S.G.
        The menopausal transition: analysis of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone concentrations during menstrual cycles of older women.
        J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1976; 42: 629

      Article info

      Publication history

      Accepted: April 13, 1981
      Received: October 13, 1980

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5122(81)90007-4

      Copyright

      © 1981 Published by Elsevier Inc.

      ScienceDirect

      Access this article on ScienceDirect

      The content on this site is intended for healthcare professionals.


      We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content. To update your cookie settings, please visit the Cookie Preference Center for this site.
      Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. except certain content provided by third parties.


      RELX