Uterine evaluation and gestation diagnosis in owl monkey (Aotus azarai infulatus) using the B mode ultrasound

• Published in: Journal of medical primatology Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 123 - 130
• Main Authors: Monteiro, Frederico O B, De Koivisto, Marion B, Vicente, Wilter R R, De Amorim Carvalho, Reinaldo, Whiteman, Christina W, Castro, Paulo H G, Maia, Celsemy E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2006
• Subjects: Animals; Aotidae - anatomy & histology; Aotidae - physiology; Female; Fetal Death; gynecology; Male; new world primate; obstetric; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - physiology; ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - veterinary; Uterus - anatomy & histology; Uterus - diagnostic imaging; Uterus - physiology
• ISSN: 0047-2565; 1600-0684
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2006.00155.x

Background  Gynecological and obstetrical ultrasonography has become an indispensable tool in the routine management, health evaluation and research on captive non‐human primates.
Methods  Ultrasound was used to evaluate the uterus and estimate the gestation of owl monkeys. Twelve couples were selected, where five were primiparous and seven multiparous females from the National Primate Center reproductive colony, Ananindeua‐PA, Brazil. The procedures were carried out using the GE® Logiq 100 MP, equipped with a 7.5 MHz linear probe.
Results  The females showed a simple uterus, of elongated shape, regular outline and homogeneous echogenic texture. In the uterine measurements craniocaudal diameter, dorsoventral diameter and uterine volume (UV), significant differences were identified (P < 0.05) between ultrasound examinations of primiparous and multiparous females. The UV showed a positive correlation with the number of births. The gestational sac and the embryonic echo were visible between 28 and 38 days after mating. Between 48 and 68 days after mating, embryonic death was identified in all the gestations.
Conclusions  The chemical (use of tranquilizers) and husbandry factors (capture stress) may be related to the prenatal death. The establishing methods of conditioning the female to the ultrasonographic exam may offer a solution to this problem.