Baseline study of sex hormones and multimodal molecular imaging of rhesus monkeys in non-reproductive season

To investigate the gonadal function of rhesus monkeys in non-reproductive season by the examination of hormone level and multimode MR, PET/CT molecular imaging. So that we can provide baseline parameters for related experimental studies. Fifteen female rhesus monkeys in non-reproductive season were divided into three groups according to different physiological stages: before puberty (n = 5), prime fertility period (n = 5) and peri-menopausal (n = 5). All rhesus monkeys were taken sex hormone analysis and whole-body PET/CT, pelvic MRI. The CTmean and SUV_max of uterus, the thickness of intima, binding zone and outer muscle layer were measured, and the ovarian volume (volume = length × width × thickness × 0.5233) was calculated. The three groups were compared by One-way ANOVA, pairwise comparison with LSD or Dunnett t test, and correlation analysis by Pearson method. There were significant differences in FSH, Testo and ESTRD among the three groups (F value: 4.19, 3.91, 6.83, all P < 0.05). FSH increased gradually along with the increase of age, and the FSH of perimenopausal period was significantly different with the other two groups respectively (t value: 3.39, 3.73, all P < 0.05). Testo decreased gradually along with the increase of age, and the statistical results were similar with FSH (t value: 3.39, 3.46, all P < 0.05). ESTRD increased gradually from before puberty to prime fertility period, but decreased from prime fertility period to perimenopausal. ESTRD of prime fertility period was higher than the other two groups respectively (t value: 4.77, 3.92, all P < 0.05). ESTRD was consistent with the change trend of AMH, the intimal layer thickness and binding zone of uterus, the CTmean and SUV_max of uterus, ovarian volume. The difference of intimal layer and binding band of uterus in three groups was statistically significant (F value: 18.26, 38.9, all P < 0.05). The intimal layer of prime fertility period was thicker than that of peri-menopausal and before puberty (t value: 7.17, 4.08, P < 0.05). The uterus binding zone of prime fertility period was thicker than that of peri-menopausal and before puberty respectively (t = 7.82, 3.76, P < 0.05). All P < 0.05). The binding zone of prime fertility period was thicker than that of before puberty (t value: 4.54, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the total volume of bilateral ovaries and AMH in all rhesus monkeys (R value: 0.053, P>0.05). The level of FSH and Testo changed with the increase of age in three groups, FSH increased and Testo decreased gradually. It was increased at first and then decreased along with the increase of age at the intimal layer and binding band thickness of uterus, AMH, ESTRD, CTmean and SUV_max of uterus, the ovarian volume. These indexes have certain value in evaluating the development, maturation and degradation of gonadal function in rhesus monkeys in non-reproductive season. It can be used as an observation parameter of anti reproductive aging intervention in peri-menopausal rhesus monkeys. (author)