Retrograde ejaculation associated spontaneous sperm cystolithiasis in four rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND): Non-proliferative and Proliferative Lesions of the Non-human Primate (M. fascicularis)

The INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions Project (www.toxpath.org/inhand.asp) is a joint initiative of the Societies of Toxicologic Pathology from Europe (ESTP), Great Britain (BSTP), Japan (JSTP) and North America (STP) to develop an internationally accepted nomenclature for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions in laboratory animals. The purpose of this publication is to provide a standardized nomenclature for classifying microscopic lesions observed in most tissues and organs from the nonhuman primate used in nonclinical safety studies. Some of the lesions are illustrated by color photomicrographs. The standardized nomenclature presented in this document is also available electronically on the internet (http://www.goreni.org/). Sources of material included histopathology databases from government, academia, and industrial laboratories throughout the world. Content includes spontaneous lesions as well as lesions induced by exposure to test materials. Relevant infectious and parasitic lesions are included as well. A widely accepted and utilized international harmonization of nomenclature for lesions in laboratory animals will provide a common language among regulatory and scientific research organizations in different countries and increase and enrich international exchanges of information among toxicologists and pathologists.

Urogenital Lesions in Nonhuman Primates at 2 National Primate Research Centers

Given their genetic and anatomic similarities to humans, nonhuman primates (NHPs) may serve as animal models for urogenital diseases of humans. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of spontaneous urogenital lesions occurring over a 30-year period at the Yerkes and Southwest National Primate Research Centers and to compare and contrast lesions occurring in Old World versus New World primates. Lesions occurring in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), baboon (Papio spp.), rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis), pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys), common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), cotton-top tamarin (Sanguinus oedipus), and squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) are discussed. The most common lesions of the kidney were medullary amyloidosis, renal cysts, renal tubular degeneration, glomerulonephritis or glomerulopathy, nephritis, nephrocalcinosis, pyelonephritis, and hydronephrosis. Specific causes of renal tubular disease included pigmentary nephrosis and tubular lipidosis. Renal tumors, including renal adenoma and carcinoma, lymphoma, and nephroblastoma, were infrequent diagnoses in all species. Endometriosis was the most frequently diagnosed lesion of the female genital tract. Of the animals examined in this study, it was most frequent in Old World primates. Leiomyoma was the most common uterine tumor. Granulosa cell tumor was the most frequently observed neoplasm of the ovaries, followed by teratoma. Of animals included in the study, most ovarian tumors occurred in baboons. Neoplasms of the male reproductive tract included interstitial cell tumor, seminoma, penile squamous cell carcinoma, penile papilloma, and histiocytoma. In New World monkeys, renal lesions were reported more frequently than genital lesions.

Evaluation of bilateral vasocystostomy for canine sterilization

This study was aimed to evaluate canine vasocystotomy as a testosterone-preserving method of sterilization and investigate its potential post-operative complications. Five healthy adult male dogs underwent surgical procedure to transplant vasa deferentia to the urinary bladder. Under general anesthesia, caudal abdomen was opened and both vasa deferentia were ligated and transected. Then, the proximal free ends were sutured to mucosal layer of urinary bladder on its cranio-dorsal aspect. Serum testosterone level was measured on a weekly basis. Six-week postoperative assessments were performed including semen and urine sampling, ultrasound, contrast vasography, and tissue sampling. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in serum testosterone levels compared to its baseline value. Along with non-motile and broken spermatozoa, no cast or crystals were observed in urine samples. Semen analyses revealed azoospermia. No vasal obstruction or contrast leakage was observed in vasographs indicating bilateral patency in all dogs. Normal thickness of the bladder was found in ultrasounds. Histopathology showed normal testicular architecture and no inflammatory response was found in bladder or vas deferens following vasal transplantation. No significant change was found in testicular volume at the end of the study. This study suggested that vasocystostomy could be considered as an alternative method for canine sterilization with no significant changes in the testosterone concentrations and no evidence of postoperative complications. The preservation of testosterone could be regarded as an advantage and makes this approach favorable compared to the routine methods of sterilization especially for herding and guard dogs, because it prevents overpopulation while maintains the functionality.