PERITONEAL-FLUID VOLUME AND STEROID-HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS IN BABOONSWITH AND WITHOUT EITHER SPONTANEOUS MINIMAL MILD ENDOMETRIOSIS OR THELUTEINIZED UNRUPTURED FOLLICLE SYNDROME

This study was performed to document for the first time peritoneal flu id volumes and steroid hormone levels in baboons with and without endo metriosis. A laparoscopy was carried out in 19 female baboons (11 with a normal pelvis and 8 with histologically proven spontaneous minimal/ mild endometriosis) during 64 cycles in the early luteal phase. Perito neal fluid was measured and aspirated. The pelvis was examined for evi dence of recent ovulation and endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid and seru m were assayed for 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. The mean volume of peritoneal fluid and its concentration of 17beta-estradiol and prog esterone were 2.6 ml, 679 pmol/l and 64 nmol/l, respectively. No diffe rences were observed between animals with or without either endometrio sis or luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome. The peritoneal fluid a nd serum steroid levels were comparable to those found in women. The r esults presented are similar to those obtained in women with endometri osis and this suggests that the baboon can be used for the study of th is disease.