Background: Ovarian pathology is an important cause of decreased fertility and reproductive capability and may impact multiple systems, particularly in aging rhesus macaques.
Methods: Retrospective histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 458 female rhesus macaque necropsies over 12 years at the New England Primate Research Center in Southborough, MA.
Results: Degenerative and inflammatory changes in the ovaries included mineralization, infiltration by lymphocytes, macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, endometriosis, and arteriopathy. Cystic changes included follicular cysts, cystic rete, and mesonephric duct cysts with cystic rete the most common. Neoplasms included granulosa cell tumors, cystadenoma, cystadenocarcinoma, and teratoma.
Conclusions: Ovarian lesions of the rhesus macaque are similar to those of cynomolgus macaques and humans. These lesions are frequently incidental findings but may impact metabolic and neurocognitive studies.