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. 2012 Dec;41(6):394-402.
doi: 10.1111/jmp.12019. Epub 2012 Oct 18.

Medical termination of pregnancy in cynomolgus macaques

Elizabeth Micks  1 , Taylor Shekell, Jessica Stanley, Mary Zelinski, Lauren Martin, Serena Riefenberg, Tiffany Adevai, Jeffrey Jensen
Affiliations

Medical termination of pregnancy in cynomolgus macaques

Elizabeth Micks et al. J Med Primatol. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Although pregnancy is expected during studies of novel contraceptives in non-human primates, gestation, delivery, and lactation remove females from groups for prolonged intervals. As the macaque cervix does not facilitate transcervical surgical termination of pregnancy, we sought to establish a medical termination protocol.

Methods: A descriptive case series of outcomes of medical termination of pregnancy up to 32 days gestation in cynomolgus monkeys. Efficacy and time to uterine resolution were determined according to medication, dose, and route of administration.

Results: Thirty-seven macaques underwent 65 medical terminations. Over 80% of animals terminated after initial treatment with mifepristone 20 mg intramuscularly (IM). Intrafetal methotrexate was effective for salvage treatment. Medical termination regimens were less effective for animals receiving investigational contraceptive agents.

Conclusions: Medical termination for macaques is safe and effective. We recommend a protocol with mifepristone 20 mg IM and misoprostol 200 µg buccally as initial treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Longitudinal section through the macaque cervix demonstrating the tortuous canal
The vagina is on the left, the external cervical os indicated with the thick arrow, and the internal os indicated with the thin arrow. The dotted line shows the path of the cervical canal.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Normal appearing pregnancy on ultrasound
Intrauterine gestational sac containing yolk sac and 0.53 cm fetal pole. Fetal cardiac activity was noted.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Uterine resolution one week after mifepristone 20 mg IM primary treatment
Complete uterine resolution determined by completely closed uterus with no retained fluid or fetal tissue.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Retained fetal tissue after fetal demise following treatment with intrafetal methotrexate
a. Longitudinal view b. Transverse view
Figure 4
Figure 4. Retained fetal tissue after fetal demise following treatment with intrafetal methotrexate
a. Longitudinal view b. Transverse view
Figure 5
Figure 5
Persistent uterine opening one week after initial treatment (delayed uterine resolution)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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