Nonprimate animal models of menopause: workshop report

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Comparative Physiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Menopause is a natural biological process in women, leading to fertility loss and increased risks for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
• Nonhuman primate models for menopause research are limited by cost, availability, disease transmission risks, and experimental constraints.
• Nonprimate animal species are being explored as potential models for menopausal pathophysiological changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the suitability of nonprimate animal species as models for menopause-related health issues.
• To assess the efficacy of estrogen in reversing pathophysiological changes in ovariectomized female animals.
• To investigate changes in the skeleton, cardiovascular system, and thermoregulation.

Main Methods:

• A workshop convened to discuss the use of middle-aged, ovariectomized laboratory animals.
• Focus on the effects of exogenous estrogen on various physiological systems.
• Consideration of species including mice, rats, dogs, rabbits, pigs, and sheep.

Main Results:

• Mice are potential models for bone and cardiovascular changes due to ovariectomy and estrogen, especially with transgenic technology.
• Rats are excellent for bone but poor for cardiovascular changes; they and monkeys show hot flashes.
• Pigs have cardiovascular potential but limited data exists; rabbits show cardiovascular promise but differ in artery structure; sheep are promising large animal models.

Conclusions:

• Mice and rats offer distinct advantages for studying specific aspects of menopause-related bone and cardiovascular changes.
• Nonprimate models require further research to fully understand their utility in replicating human menopausal conditions.
• Species selection depends on the specific physiological system being investigated, with ongoing research needed for optimal model development.