Primary amenorrhea associated with ovarian leiomyoma in a baboon (Papio hamadryas).

Abstract

A 6-y-old female baboon was examined due to absence of menstrual cycling and secondary sex characteristics and failure to reproduce. The mammary glands and vaginal introitus were hypoplastic, the clitoris was prominent, and the perineal skin was immature with lack of cyclic color alterations and sexual swelling. Evaluation of the reproductive tract revealed a hypoplastic uterus and rudimentary ovaries with the presence of an ovarian leiomyoma within the right ovary. Hormonal values (estradiol, progesterone) were low and comparable to those of adult males or ovariectomized females. Adrenal and pituitary hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone, luteinizing and follicular stimulating hormones) and pituitary structure were within normal limits for this species. The baboon had a normal 42,XX karyotype. These findings suggest primary amenorrhea due to ovarian dysgenesis. This is the first report of a case of primary amenorrhea due to ovarian dysgenesis with a normal karyotype associated with a unilateral ovarian leiomyoma in the baboon. Continued studies of noncycling female nonhuman primates in captive breeding colonies may lead to a greater understanding of the underlying causes of this condition.