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Testicular biopsy in the study of gorilla infertility
Author(s) -
Foster James W.,
Rowley Mavis J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1098-2345
pISSN - 0275-2565
DOI - 10.1002/ajp.1350030518
Subject(s) - gorilla , infertility , biopsy , gynecology , medicine , male infertility , andrology , physiology , biology , pathology , pregnancy , genetics , paleontology
Testicular biopsy has long been accepted as a tool for evaluating fertility of human males. This study examined the use of testicular biopsy for evaluating fertility of gorillas. Biopsies were collected from six captive adult gorillas. Hyperplasia of interstitial tissue was noted in three subjects, but other evidence suggests that this may be fairly characteristic of gorillas, even in natural settings. The most notable finding was that spermatogenesis was interrupted in the spermatid stage in each examined. This condition is present in about 1/3 of human infertility cases. Potential causes include the following: chemical agents (lead, insecticides, other airborne toxins) and physical agents (especially those resulting in localized temperature elevation). Failure to provide the basis for even minimum environmental contexts for behavioral development, disease and nutritional deficiency are other potential causes of gorilla infertility.