@article{648ae4d2297146f79ae5c25669d9e70f,
title = "Menstrual cycle characteristics and side of ovulation in the rhesus monkey",
abstract = "Menstrual cycle characteristics and side of ovulation were studied in the rhesus monkey in 183 cycles. Side of ovulation was consistently related to cycle length. In cycles with a preovulatory phase approximating 14 days in length, ovulation tended to occur in the ovary opposite to that which provided the ovulation in the previous cycle. With a long preovulatory phase, ovulation tended to occur at random either from the same or from the contralateral ovary. The suggestion is raised that the corpus luteum of the previous cycle provides sufficient residual local activity to designate which ovary will provide the follicle for ovulation in the subsequent cycle.",
author = "Wallach, {E. E.} and P. Virutamasen and Wright, {K. H.}",
note = "Funding Information: Undoubtedly, critical local ovarian facfrom right to left ovary in successive cycles; tors intercede between the preovulatory (2) to record menstrual cycle characterissurge of luteinizing hormone and the final tics over a period of up to 41 months; and stages offollicular maturation and rupture. (3) to determine experimentally whether Factors during each cycle which might be progesterone topically implanted on the responsible for selection of the follicle dessurface of one ovary can influence maturatined to ovulate in monotocous species are tion and determine the side of subsequent not clear. Limited data are available con-ovulation. cerning local control over follicle develop- ment and ovulation, especially in the pri-MATERIALS AND METHODS mate. Locally produced ovarian steroids or Sixteen mature female rhesus macaque their metabolites may play a significant monkeys were studied. Animals selected role in both of these processes. Apprecia-had been carefully followed for 6-10 tion of whether ovulation in the primate months prior to study with daily vaginal occurs alternately from right to left ova-smears to detect blood and to verify cycle ries in successive cycles could be helpful in regularity. Animals were housed individusuggesting local factors involved in the ally in cages and fed a diet of Purina process of ovulation. In the past, the ac-monkey chow and fresh vegetables. Tempquisition ofreliable data regarding alterna-erature was maintained at 70° F. Lighting tion of ovulation has been hindered by a was natural, and no attempt was made to number of technical problems, including: regulate photoperiodicity. the necessity for repeated laparotomy or Serial laparotomies were performed peritoneoscopy; observations conducted using phencyclidine hydrochloride (Sernyover numerous successive cycles in the lan, 1 mg.; Parke, Davis & Co., Detroit, same animal; and the questionable validity Mich.), administered intramuscularly, for of conclusions based on ovarian palpation anesthesia. At each laparotomy the followvia rectal examination. ing observations were made: (1) size of The purposes of this study, carried out in each ovary (millimeters in each of three the rhesus monkey, were: (1) to establish planes); (2) presence and location of mawhether ovulation alternates consistently ture follicles, ovulation points, and/or cor-Received April 23, 1973. pora lutea; and (3) over-all condition of * Supported by grants from The Lalor Foundation, pelvic structures. Photographic records of the United States Public Health Service (Primate ovarian activity at laparotomy were made Resource Studies Grant RR00340), and The Ford with a Zeiss surgical photomicroscope. Foundation. Postoperatively, each animal received an t Presented at the Twenty-ninth intramuscular dose (600,000 1. U.) of benza-of The American Fertility Society, April 5-7, 1973, San Francisco, Calif. thine penicillin suspension (Bicillin, :j: FOld Foundation Fellow in Reproductive Biology. Wyeth Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pa.). 715",
year = "1973",
doi = "10.1016/S0015-0282(16)39917-4",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "24",
pages = "715--721",
journal = "Fertility and Sterility",
issn = "0015-0282",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
number = "9",
}