PARTIAL HYDATIDIFORM MOLE IN A PREGNANT CHIMPANZEE (PAN-TROGLODYTES)

Until now, the occurrence of hydatidiform mole in non-human primates h as not been documented. This report presents a case in which a stillbo rn fetus, associated with a partial hydatidiform mole, was found at ne cropsy in the uterus of a pregnant chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) which had suddenly died. Hydropic swelling of the chorionic villi and prolif eration of trophoblastic cells were present. The trophoblast was stain ed enzyme-immunohistochemically with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG ) and pregnancy-specific-beta1-glycoprotein (SP1). The concentrations of hCG and SP1 in maternal serum were high, 1,350 mIU/ml and 1,000 ng/ ml, respectively. The distribution of DNA content of the cytotrophobla st in the molar villi shifted from diploid to an aneuploid pattern.