PROFILE OF ENDOMETRIOSIS IN THE AGING FEMALE RHESUS-MONKEY

Background. A retrospective analysis was conducted on necropsy records from a large rhesus monkey colony to evaluate the age-related prevale nce of endometriosis. Methods. A total of 314 records collected over a 15-year period were analyzed, yielding 66 monkeys with histologically verified endometriosis and 248 control subjects. Results. The analyse s demonstrated that the incidence of endometriosis increases progressi vely across the life span, ultimately impacting 21-45% of aged monkeys over 20 years of age. Conclusions. Because mild disease is often not diagnosed premortem, the endocrine and immune sequelae of endometriosi s may be a potential confound in even nonreproductive research with ag ing primates. Prior research-related events influence the occurrence a nd severity of endometriosis in these long-lived animals, and specific ally could have contributed to the high prevalence of endometriosis in this particular monkey colony.