Use of a radioreceptorassay (RRA) for human luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (hLH/CG) for detection of early pregnancy and estimation of time of ovulation in macaques

Development of the upper lip

OBJECTIVES

To affirm and reanalyze George L. Streeter's "merging theory" of upper-lip development in primates by observing progressive embryologic stages in facial development using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to further understand upper-lip development.

DESIGN

The study was conducted at the California Regional Primate Research Center, Davis. Twenty primate embryos (Macaca fascicularis) and 2 fetuses were examined with SEM. The development of the frontonasal prominence, maxillary prominence, medial nasal prominence, and lateral nasal prominence were sequentially observed. The contribution of these prominences to the formation of the upper lip and nose were carefully analyzed.

RESULTS

The maxillary prominence and medial nasal prominence form the upper lip, whereas the lateral nasal, medial nasal, and maxillary prominences form the nose. There is fusion of the maxillary prominence with the medial nasal prominence. This fusion has not been previously described. This has resulted in a modification of the current theory of upper-lip development into one we refer to as the "dynamic fusion theory."

CONCLUSIONS

The dynamic fusion theory explains the merging process of the mesenchymal and ecotodermal layers of the facial prominences that contribute to the upper-lip formation. The dynamic fusion theory of facial prominence movement details the interaction between epithelial layers: both epithelial layers must fuse properly to avoid cleft-lip deformities.

ELISA for the measurement of serum and urinary chorionic gonadotropin concentrations in the laboratory macaque

A rapid, sensitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) for the measurement of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) in serum and urine samples of laboratory macaques is reported. The ligand (CG) is captured by a readily available, widely used, and well-characterized monoclonal antibody (Mab, 518B7) generated against the beta subunit of bovine luteinizing hormone (LH). This Mab, while specific for LH, shows very little species specificity, and has been shown to detect LH and CG by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in both human and non-human primates. A polyclonal antiserum raised in rabbits against human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, and is used as the second antibody signal. This anti-hCG antiserum cross reacts with CG secreted by both the human (hCG) and macaque (mCG). The ELISA utilizes hCG as the standard, and results are based on the relative concentrations of mCG in serum and urine. Total assay time is less than 5 hours. Range of the standard curve is 0.002 to 0.5 ng hCG/well, and the least detectable concentration of hCG is 0.0023 +/- 0.0007 ng/well. Pregnancy was detected in early pregnant macaques (M. fascicularis) on 9 (N = 1/16), 10 (N = 1/16), 11 (N = 1/16), 12 (N = 6/16), 13 (N = 1/16), 14 (N = 4/16), and 15 (N = 2/16) days following the pre-ovulatory urinary estrone conjugate peak. The detection of pregnancy by urinary mCG occurred approximately 24 to 72 hours after its detection in serum.

Development of the definitive kidney in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Formation of the definitive kidney in Macaca fascicularis embryos was investigated using light and electron microscopy. Appearance of the definitive kidney at stage 14 was indicated by the ureteric bud invading the metanephrogenic blastema. Glomerular capillaries originate from the connective tissue that surrounds the developing renal vesicle. At 46-100 days gestational age the more developed glomeruli show thinning of the capillary endothelium, thickening of the basal membrane, and presence of pedicels, suggesting a capability of renal function.

Embryotoxicity studies of norfloxacin in cynomolgus monkeys. II. Role of progesterone

Norfloxacin, an orally active fluoroquinolone antimicrobial, has been reported to be embryolethal but not teratogenic when administered to pregnant cynomolgus macaques prior to gestational day (GD) 36 at doses > or = 200 mg/kg/day. Additional studies have been performed in an effort to examine the mechanism responsible for this effect, particularly regarding the role of progesterone (P). The first study (Study I) investigated the effect of norfloxacin administration during early pregnancy (200 mg/kg/day; daily GD 20-30) in the absence of a functional corpus luteum (CL). The CL was surgically removed from 16 gravid females on GD 19 in order to focus on placental-derived P; ten were dosed with norfloxacin and six received vehicle only. Embryolethality was observed for 7/10 (70%) of the treated animals during GD 25-31 versus 0/6 (0%) for controls. A reduction in serum P was noted prior to embryonic loss, although no significant effects on chorionic gonadotropin (CG), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), or P or E urinary metabolites were observed. A second study (Study II) was performed in order to evaluate the capacity of norfloxacin (200 mg/kg) to reduce CL-derived P in both normally cycling and CG-stimulated nonpregnant females (ten treated, ten controls; daily for 8 days). No effects on P production or on luteal phase or menstrual cycle lengths were observed. The third study (Study III) was designed to examine the effect of norfloxacin on the metabolism and excretion of P in nonpregnant females. Silastic P implants were placed subcutaneously in order to maintain constant P levels during a 10 day treatment regimen (200 mg/kg/day; ten controls, nine treated). Five of the controls and four of the norfloxacin-treated females also received 14C-P intravenously within 1 hr of the last dose of norfloxacin in order to study excretory patterns. No significant differences between control and treated groups were observed. The results of these studies combined suggest that the developmental toxic effects observed in prior studies and Study I are specific to pregnancy and directly related to placental-derived P production.

Cytodifferentiation of two epithelial populations of the respiratory bronchiole during fetal lung development in the rhesus monkey

This study describes the cytodifferentiation of the two populations of epithelial cells found in the respiratory bronchiole of the adult rhesus monkey. One population, pseudostratified and containing ciliated, nonciliated secretory, and basal cells, is found overlying the pulmonary artery (PA). The other population, not associated with the PA, contains nonciliated cuboidal cells between alveolar outpockets. In this study we used terminal conducting airways from the lungs of fetal (90 to 155 days gestational age [DGA]), postnatal, and adult rhesus monkeys. Ciliated cells were partially differentiated at 90 DGA (54% gestation) and completely differentiated by 134 DGA (80% gestation). Nonciliated secretory cells were partially differentiated at 95 DGA (57% gestation) but did not lose all glycogen until the postnatal period. Basal cells appeared by 134 DGA (80% gestation) and matured in the postnatal period. Small mucous granule cells appeared at 125 DGA (74% gestation) and did not change throughout fetal development. Neuroendocrine cells were present throughout the entire period studied. Nonciliated cuboidal bronchiolar cells of the nonciliated population of the respiratory bronchiole appeared at 105 DGA (62% gestation) and matured in the postnatal period. We conclude that 1) although most of the differentiation of the lower airway occurs before birth, most of the cell types are not completely differentiated at birth; 2) the sequence of differentiation for the cells of the ciliated pseudostratified epithelial population is ciliated, nonciliated secretory, and basal; 3) the sequence of differentiation for the nonciliated secretory cell is similar to that of the secretory cells in more proximal airways; and 4) basal, neuroendocrine, and small mucous granule cells are not a part of the differentiation sequence of the other cell types.

Evaluation of the bioeffects of prenatal ultrasound exposure in the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis): I. Neonatal/infant observations

The frequency of use of ultrasonography for evaluating the developing embryo/fetus has continued to rise although the possible risks from exposure still remain uncertain. The cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is currently being used in our laboratory as a model to assess these risks. In utero exposure was performed utilizing a commercial real-time mechanical sector scanner with a 7.5 MHz scanhead (ATL, MK 600). Maximum acoustic power output for this unit is as follows: I(SPTA) = 12.0 mW/cm2, I(SPPA) = 98 W/cm2, and Im = 137 W/cm2. Animals exposed to ultrasound (N = 16) were scanned five times weekly on gestational days (GD) 21-35 +/- 2 for 10 minutes/exam (m/e), three times weekly on GD 36-60 +/- 2 for 10 m/e, and once weekly on GD 61-150 +/- 2 for 20 m/e. Controls (N = 14) were "scanned" with the unit placed on standby. Assessment of simian Apgar scores at 1, 5, and 10 minutes of life revealed higher scores for treated animals at 10 minutes (P less than or equal to 0.045); greater scores in muscle tone (P less than or equal to 0.013) and color (P less than or equal to 0.016) were observed. Evaluation of morphometrics at birth including weight, biparietal diameter, occipitofrontal diameter, head circumference, hand and foot lengths, humerus and femur lengths, arm circumference, chest circumference, tail length, skinfold thickness, and crown-rump length (CRL) indicated a significant reduction in only two parameters, birth weight (P less than or equal to 0.027) and CRL (P less than or equal to 0.033). Hematologic analysis at 2 +/- 1, 9 +/- 1, and 16 +/- 1 days of life revealed a significant difference in white blood cell counts (WBCs). Treated animals displayed lower WBCs with reductions in numbers of segmented neutrophils and monocytes at all ages observed. Hematologic differences were not significant by 5-6 months of age. No abortions, gross malformations, or stillbirths were observed in the exposed animals.

Embryotoxicity studies of norfloxacin in cynomolgus monkeys: I. Teratology studies and norfloxacin plasma concentration in pregnant and nonpregnant monkeys

Norfloxacin, a new orally active antibiotic, was investigated in cynomolgus monkeys for potential developmental toxicity. Fifty-seven monkeys were administered a control vehicle or norfloxacin by nasogastric gavage during the major period of organogenesis on gestational days (GD) 21 through 50 at doses of 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200/300 mg/kg/day. There was no evidence of teratogenicity at any dose level. Maternotoxicity and a significant increase in embryolethality occurred following doses of 200/300 mg/kg/day. The maternotoxicity was not expected based on range-finding studies in nonpregnant female monkeys, which showed no signs of toxicity in doses up to 500 mg/kg/day. Additional studies were conducted to determine if norfloxacin caused similar toxicity later in gestation. Forty-six pregnant monkeys were dosed with a control vehicle or 200 mg/kg/day norfloxacin for one of three 10-day periods on GD 36-45, 71-80, or 111-120. There were no maternotoxic, embryotoxic, or fetotoxic effects observed. Plasma concentrations of norfloxacin in five cynomolgus monkeys following 50 and 200 mg/kg oral doses were not dose-proportionate. However, at a given dose, administered in cross-over fashion, plasma concentrations of norfloxacin were higher in nonpregnant females (approximately 20-40%) than during pregnancy when the same subject was compared. At the no-observed-effect dose for maternal and embryotoxicity (50 mg/kg), peak plasma concentrations of norfloxacin in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys are approximately threefold higher than those observed in human volunteers receiving norfloxacin at the maximum recommended therapeutic dose of 400 mg (5.7 mg/kg based on 70 kg body weight) twice per day.

Pharmacokinetics of doxylamine given as Bendectin in the pregnant monkey and baboon

The object of the present study was to determine the maternal plasma pharmacokinetics of doxylamine (the antihistamine component of Bendectin) following Bendectin administration. Bendectin was administered daily, po, at a dosage approximately 10 times the maximum human therapeutic dosage (7 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis (approximately days 22 through 50 of gestation) to three cynomolgus monkeys, four rhesus monkeys, and five baboons. Two pharmacokinetic experiments were performed in each animal, one on the first day of treatment and one on the last day of treatment. Although this study was not designed specifically as a teratologic examination, no morphologic abnormalities were observed when the fetuses were examined on approximately day 100 of gestation. A single-compartment, parallel first- and second-order elimination model was used to analyze the data. Although considerable interindividual variation was evident, no significant differences between species were observed when the half-life for the absorption of doxylamine from the gut or the elimination of doxylamine and metabolites from the plasma were compared. The plasma elimination half-lives and the clearance values were not altered by the 29 days of Bendectin treatment for any of the species. Only the half-life for the absorption of doxylamine in the baboon was reduced by daily dosing with Bendectin, but this did not alter doxylamine elimination. Thus, the pharmacokinetics of doxylamine administered as Bendectin were similar in the three nonhuman primate species examined and were not altered by repeated daily administration.

Valproic acid developmental toxicity and pharmacokinetics in the rhesus monkey: an interspecies comparison

This study was undertaken to assess the developmental toxicity and drug distributional and metabolic characteristics of prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure in rhesus monkeys. Oral administration of 20-600 mg/kg/day VPA (approximately 1-15 X human therapeutic dose) to 33 animals on variable gestational days (GD) during organogenesis resulted in dose-dependent developmental toxicity manifested as increased embryo/fetal mortality, intrauterine growth retardation, and craniofacial and skeletal defects. Biphasic plasma elimination curves were observed for total and free VPA on the first (GD 21) and last (GD 50) days of treatment in the 100- and 200-mg/kg/day dose groups. VPA exhibited dose-independent elimination kinetics at the plasma concentrations observed in this study. There was no significant change in pharmacokinetic parameters (maternal plasma elimination rate, area under the curve, peak plasma concentration) between the first and last days of treatment at either dose level. Placental transfer studies indicated that embryos were exposed to half the free VPA concentrations present in maternal plasma on GD 37. Comparisons of interspecies sensitivity to VPA-induced developmental toxicity in the mouse, rat, monkey, and man are made.

Characterization of prenatal growth and development in the crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) by ultrasound

Diagnostic ultrasound is a valuable tool for the examination of various anatomical structures in vivo. Improvements in technology have increased its effectiveness and provided a noninvasive method for the in utero observation of a variety of structural and functional events. Ultrasound is utilized in our laboratory to monitor a variety of studies during embryonic and fetal development. Basic to these evaluations is the ability to assess normal growth and development. The cynomolgus, or crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis), has been observed in utero by ultrasound from early gestation to term. The earliest detection of implantation is by the identification of a developing gestational sac (GS), which may be visualized on gestational day (GD) 14-15. Positive identification of the GS on GD 16-18 and appearance of the embryo, yolk sac, and cardiac motion on GD 21-25 confirms pregnancy. Once the embryo is evident, measurements of the greatest length (GL) may be used to assess normal growth or to aid in the prediction of gestational age. During the fetal period, a variety of growth parameters aid in fetal evaluation. The gender of the fetus can be accurately identified as early as GD 70-75. An assessment of viability and condition can be determined by the observation of embryonic and fetal heart rates and gross body movement.

Morphogenesis of the respiratory bronchiole in rhesus monkey lungs

The epithelium of the respiratory bronchiole in the adult rhesus monkey consists of two populations: a pseudostratified epithelium with basal, mucous goblet, and ciliated cells located near the pulmonary artery (PA); and a simple cuboidal epithelium composed only of nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial (or Clara) cells in areas away from the PA. This study describes the pattern of differentiation of these two epithelial populations, and their relationship to the PA and to the time of appearance of alveoli in the respiratory bronchiole of the rhesus monkey during the period of 90-125 days gestational age (DGA). These events were related to changes in the adjacent parenchyma. Dissected airways of infusion-fixed, critical-point-dried lungs were evaluated by scanning microscopy followed by light microscopy of the same airways. At 54% of gestation (90 DGA), the distal airway was lined by a mixture of ciliated and nonciliated cells. By 67% of gestation (110 DGA), the ciliated cells were confined to the epithelium over the PA. The underlying connective tissue initially was cellular containing few fibers but was fibrous by 76% of gestation (125 DGA). Alveolarization began near the most distal cartilage at 57% of gestation (95 DGA), the same period at which secondary septation occurred in the distal acinus. Thus, alveolarization occurred simultaneously in two centers: 1) the proximal centriacinar region in the vicinity of the most distal cartilage and 2) the distal lung parenchyma. The duration of centriacinar alveolarization was short, approximately 5 days.

Predicting the human teratogenic potential of the anticonvulsant, valproic acid, from a non-human primate model

The anticonvulsant, valproic acid (VPA) is a suspected human teratogen. This study, employing the rhesus monkey as an animal model, demonstrates that VPA has a significant teratogenic potential in the monkey. Timed pregnant monkeys were exposed orally to VPA at approx. 1X, 10X, and 30X (20, 200, and 600 mg/kg/day, respectively) the human therapeutic dose, daily, during organogenesis (gestation days 21-50). All fetuses of mothers exposed to greater than 1X exhibited some form of embryotoxicity. The highest dose, 30X, was 100% embryolethal, while offspring of the 10X dose group exhibited craniofacial and skeletal defects, and low body weights. Maternal pharmacokinetic parameters and plasma metabolites were determined for VPA on the first and last day of dosing for the 10X dose group. Comparison of the kinetic and metabolite data with that obtained for man indicates that the rhesus monkey is a good model for predicting the teratogenic potential of VPA in the human.

Embryotoxicity of a single dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and maternal serum MPA concentrations in cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

A single dose of MPA (Depo-Provera; Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, Michigan) was administered intramuscularly to 12 time-mated pregnant cynomolgus monkeys on day 27 (+/- 2) of gestation at 25 mg/kg or at 100 mg/kg. Maternal blood samples were collected immediately prior to MPA injection and then at regular intervals until cesarean section at term (day 152 +/- 3). Infants in both dose groups had external genital abnormalities. Female infants in the low-dose groups had partial or complete labial fusion, prominent median raphe, and clitoral hypertrophy; at high doses (100 mg/kg), the female infants had complete labial fusion and a distinct penile urethra. MPA had an opposite effect on external genitalia of male infants. The penis was short and the scrotal swelling was absent or less conspicuous, and two males had hypospadias. The adrenal glands were significantly smaller (P less than 0.05) in infants of both sexes treated with 100 mg/kg. One of the infants treated with 25 mg/kg of MPA had a muscular ventricular septal defect. Serum concentrations of MPA were determined by radioimmunoassay in eight pregnant monkeys. In the 25 mg/kg group the patterns of MPA profiles in the serum were similar in all four animals. An initial peak occurred at 24-48 hr postinjection (2.7-9.6 ng/ml), followed by a slight decrease at 3 days postinjection (gestational day 30), and then a steady increase to maximum levels of 10-14 ng/ml occurring between gestational days 37 and 50. Serum levels gradually declined to concentrations below 5 ng/ml by midgestation in three of four monkeys. By comparison, both the patterns and magnitude of MPA concentration showed great interanimal variation in the 100 mg/kg group. MPA was present in cord blood at measurable concentrations in infants at both dose groups; the levels ranged from 0.6 to 8.3 ng/ml, corresponding to 40-72% of the maternal concentrations. These results demonstrate that a single injection of MPA during early pregnancy causes selective embryotoxicity in both male and female fetuses. Presence of high levels of MPA in maternal sera during the critical period of genital development can cause specific genital defects; however, the exact mechanism by which MPA causes these paradoxical genital abnormalities is unknown.

Evaluation of bendectin embryotoxicity in nonhuman primates: I. Ventricular septal defects in prenatal macaques and baboon

Cynomolgus monkeys, rhesus monkeys and baboons were administered 10 to 40 times the human dose equivalent of Bendectin throughout the major period of organogenesis (22(+/-3)-50 days of gestation). In animals examined prenatally (100 +/- 2 days gestation) the total incidence of ventricular septal defects (VSD) was 40% in cynomolgus monkeys, 18% in rhesus monkeys, and 23% in baboons. The majority of VSD involved the muscular portion of the septum. No dose response was evident and there were no other cardiac or extracardiac defects found except for one baboon fetus with multiple defects. No defects were observed in cynomolgus monkeys administered Bendectin for 4-day periods between 22 and 41 days of gestation. There was no association of Bendectin treatment with any noncardiac defect. In cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys examined at term there was one mitral valve defect and no incidence of VSD. The increased incidence of VSD observed prenatally in all three species and the absence of defects in macaques at term suggests a delay in closure of the ventricular septum in treated animals. The Bendectin-treated monkey may be a suitable model for the study of the pathogenesis of VSD and the mechanism of spontaneous closure of the defect.

Evaluation of bendectin embryotoxicity in nonhuman primates: II. Double-blind study in term cynomolgus monkeys

The embryotoxic and teratogenic potential of Bendectin was assessed in this double-blind study in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Bendectin was administered orally at doses approximately two, five, and 20 times the human dose equivalent from 22 +/- 2 through 50 days of gestation. Fetuses were delivered by cesarean section near term and examined for malformations. There was no maternal toxicity as evidenced by maternal weights and physical signs. There was no correlation between dosage and the number of prenatal deaths. No significant abnormalities related to treatment were observed in postdelivery physical examinations, placental evaluations, external and internal gross examinations, or from radiographs of the neonates. Under the conditions of this study the treatment of pregnant cynomolgus monkeys with Bendectin produced no evidence of teratogenicity or embryo-, or fetal-, or maternal toxicity.