Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Characterization of Metabolic Status in Nonhuman Primates with the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test
Published on: November 13, 2016
Spontaneous pathology of the baboon endocrine system
R Guardado-Mendoza1, E J Dick, L M Jimenez-Ceja
1Diabetes Division, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Background:
Study of endocrine pathology in animal models is critical to understanding endocrine pathology in humans.
Methods:
We evaluated 434 endocrine-related diagnoses from 4619 baboon necropsies, established the incidence of spontaneous endocrine pathology, and analyzed the clinical and biochemical data associated with the individual cases.
Results:
The most common diagnoses in descending order, were pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis (n = 259), ovarian cysts (n = 50), pituitary adenoma (n = 37), pancreatic islet cell adenoma (n = 20), granulosa cell tumor (n = 15), thyroid adenoma (n = 11), adrenal hyperplasia (n = 10), thyroid carcinoma (n = 8), and pheochromocytoma (n = 6). The incidence of pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis progressively increased with age. Pheochromocytomas were associated with renal and heart failure. The incidence of pancreatic islet cell amyloidosis and adrenal pathology was similar to humans; the incidence of pituitary adenoma and thyroid pathology was lower than in humans.
Conclusions:
Endocrine disease in baboons is common and shares clinical and biochemical characteristics with endocrine disease in humans.
Related Concept Videos
What is the Endocrine System?
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Endocrine Signaling
Structures of the Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.

