Evidence for the possible occurrence of Grave's disease in a blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons).

The blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons) is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. A 23-year-old male housed at Mulhouse Zoo presented with lethargy, polyphagia, alopecia, and chronic weight loss. Clinical examination suggested an endocrine pathology such as hyperthyroidism. Secondary examinations included cervical ultrasound, thyroid biopsy, and scintigraphy. The latter revealed elevated thyroid activity. Blood analysis was performed to measure the level of anti-receptor thyroid-stimulating hormone antibodies, which allowed us to test the autoimmune hypothesis. The high level of antibodies together with levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and the scintigraphy images led to the diagnosis of Grave's disease. Carbimazole treatment followed by thyroidectomy resulted in a quick weight gain and general improvement in health status. The following breeding season, the treated individual sired an offspring. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of likely Grave's disease in a non-human primate.

Pathophysiology of the rhesus macaque model for inhalational brucellosis.

The objective of this study was to characterize the rhesus macaque (RM) as a model for inhalational brucellosis in support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Animal Rule. The pathophysiology of chronic Brucella melitensis aerosol infection was monitored in two phases that each occurred over an 8-week time period; dose escalation (8 RMs; targeted doses of 5.0E+03, 5.0E+04, or 5.0E+05 CFU/animal or the unchallenged control) and natural history (12 RMs; targeted dose of 2.50E+05 CFU/animal or the unchallenged control). RMs given an aerosol challenge with B. melitensis developed undulating fevers (6/6 phase I; 8/9 phase II), positive enriched blood cultures (5/10; phase II), and bacterial burdens in tissues starting 14 to 21 days postchallenge (6/6 phase I; 10/10 phase II). In addition, 80% (8/10; phase II) of infected RMs seroconverted 14 to 21 days postchallenge. RMs developed elevations in certain liver enzymes and had an increased inflammatory response by 3 weeks postchallenge as shown by increases in C-reactive protein (6/8) and neopterin (4/8), which correlated with the onset of a fever. As early as 14 days postchallenge, positive liver biopsy specimens were detected (2/8), and ultrasound imaging showed the development of splenomegaly. Finally, histopathologic examination found lesions attributed to Brucella infection in the liver, kidney, lung, and/or spleen of all animals. The disease progression observed with the RMs in this study is analogous to human brucellosis pathophysiology. Thus, the results from this study support the use of the RM as an animal model for inhalational brucellosis to evaluate the efficacy of novel vaccines and therapeutics against B. melitensis.

Origins and health consequences of stress-induced ovarian dysfunction.

Normal ovarian function is thought to protect women against coronary heart disease (CHD) and osteoporosis by delaying the pathobiological processes underlying these conditions. Supporting this proposition is the observation that, following menopause (i.e. the loss of cyclic ovarian function), these diseases accelerate and ultimately comprise a major portion of the health burden of older women. However, while all women eventually go through complete ovarian failure at menopause, many also experience episodes of cyclic ovarian disruption during their reproductive years (i.e. ages 18-40). These disruptions are relatively common and often are attributed to psychogenic factors (stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional disturbance). This article hypothesizes that, to the extent that cyclic ovarian function affords protection against CHD and osteoporosis, ovulatory abnormalities associated with estrogen deficiency in young women - even if mild and subclinical - prematurely accelerate development of these two diseases of 'aging'. Consistent with this hypothesis are observations in group-housed, premenopausal monkeys confirming that reproductive deficits are commonly induced by psychosocial stress (social subordination), and, in the presence of a typical Western diet, accelerate the development of CHD and bone loss. Furthermore, in this model premenopausal disease extent predicts postmenopausal health outcomes irrespective of postmenopausal treatment, emphasizing the pathobiological importance of the premenopausal portion of the life cycle. Finally, data from both women and nonhuman primates suggest that reproductive deficits of the sort described here are adaptive when triggered appropriately, but detrimental when activated in an environment (e.g. sedentary lifestyle, high-fat diet) permissive to the development of chronic disease.

[Adaptations in reproduction and behavior of captive chimpanzees-- zoobiological and veterinary managements]. / Anpassungsphänomene in der Reproduktion und im Verhalten von Menschenaffen in Gehegehaltung--tiergartenbiologische und veterinärmedizinische Einflussmöglichkeiten.

Monitoring of renal LH-excretion, changes in genital tumescence and menses assesses reproductive status in zookept female chimpanzees. Temporary detumescence of female sex skin in estrus is a reliable indicator for stress. Assessment of female chimpanzee reproductive status relates to local and individual variation of cycle length and temporal correlation of investigated parameters. Monitoring of neonate chimpanzee behavioural ontogeny is an essential tool of evaluating applied rearing methods since individuals were to be integrated into the adult group during adolescence. Slow and continuous transition periods between consecutive rearing phases avoid irreversible disturbed behaviour. Care by one person up to the age of 12 months, followed by a 3 year stay in a peer group guarantee normal development in zookept infant chimpanzees. 4-5 years old chimpanzees with infantile attributes and abilities to submit and appease can be integrated to adults with low risk. In female gorillas sexual cyclicity was monitored by renal excretion of LH, length of menses, sexual behaviour and--in tame females--by basal body temperature and variation of length of the urogenital cleft. Intraspecific variation of cyclicity allowed individual fertility assessment after comparison of several cycles. Analyses of behaviour gave hints to overcharged adaptability and reduced infertility under inadequate maintenance. Data on semen and testicular biopsy improve fertility evaluation in gorilla males and point to degree and time of tissue alteration and etiology. Body hygiene analogous to the human, tool use and interspecific play with chimpanzees and humans behind window screens were observed in inadequately kept gorillas. Homosexual behaviour among females was reversible with environmental and social changes. Coalitions among nonrelated females were an effective social strategy against an aggressive male. Cyclicity was disturbed drastically by social events such as physical lesions made by a male but normalized with improved social situation. Disturbed cyclicity featured prolongation of interestrus intervals and complete detumescence, oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea. Nulliparous females in their third decennium needed more than 1.5 years of social contact to a fertile male to become fullterm pregnant. During the first two months of pregnancy stillbirths and embryonic resorptions were detected. Handreared and inexperienced primiparous gorilla females accepted their infants and reared them normally after witnessing motherrearing in neighbored chimpanzee females for several years. Opportunities of free choice and decision making determine zookept pongid behaviour, that cannot be compared with prisoners' ethology. Adaptations of ontogenetic behaviour and reproduction, teleonomic patterns and zoomorphism are of zoobiological relevance. Adaptations develope during prolonged periods of time and thus results of corresponding management issues are to be assessed a posteriori.

Increased prevalence and recurrence of retrograde menstruation in baboons with spontaneous endometriosis.

This study was done to test the hypothesis that the incidence and recurrence of retrograde menstruation is higher in baboons with spontaneous endometriosis than in those without. A total of 399 laparoscopies was performed on 113 female baboons. Group 1 consisted of 84 animals with a normal pelvis (including 23 that later underwent induction of endometriosis and were assigned to group 4), group 2 comprised nine baboons with spontaneous endometriosis acquired during the last 2 years of the study, group 3 had 18 baboons with long-term spontaneous disease, and group 4 comprised 25 animals with induced endometriosis. Retrograde menstruation was defined by the presence of blood-stained peritoneal fluid (red or dark brown) during menses. Recurrence of retrograde menstruation was analysed during the first two laparoscopies in 13 baboons. Peritoneal fluid was 10 times more frequently blood-stained during menses (62%) than during non-menstrual phases (6%). Retrograde menstruation was observed more frequently in animals with spontaneous disease (groups 2 and 3, 83%) than in animals with a normal pelvis (group 1, 51%). Recurrence of retrograde menstruation was observed more frequently in baboons with spontaneous endometriosis (5/5) than in those without (3/8). The results of this study demonstrate that retrograde menstruation is common in baboons, with a higher prevalence and recurrence in animals with spontaneous endometriosis than in those without.