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Ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas in chimpanzees of various breeding capacities
D Taylor-Robinson1, M F Barile, P M Furr
1Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, U.K.
Abstract:
Adult chimpanzees (24 male, 76 female) with low and high rates of conception were examined for ureaplasmas, arginine-metabolizing mycoplasmas and chlamydiae. Ureaplasmas were isolated from the throat of only 1 male and 1 female animal, but from the urethra of 29% of the males and from the vagina of 95% of the females. Mycoplasmas were isolated from the throat more often than were ureaplasmas, but from the genital tract with about the same frequency as ureaplasmas. The numbers of organisms, of either type, isolated from the vagina were larger than the numbers isolated from the male urethra. Chlamydiae were not isolated from any animal. The occurrence of ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas and the numbers of these organisms isolated were similar in animals with low or high rates of conception. Furthermore, no association was noted between the organisms in the lower genital tract and the occurrence of abortion and/or stillbirth.
Insights
Ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas are common in female chimpanzee vaginas but do not affect conception rates or pregnancy outcomes like abortion and stillbirth. These microbes were rarely found in throats.
Area of Science:
- Primate reproductive health
- Microbiology of non-human primates
Background:
- Ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas are known to colonize the urogenital tracts of various mammals.
- Understanding the prevalence of these microbes in chimpanzees is crucial for reproductive health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and distribution of ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas, and chlamydiae in adult chimpanzees.
- To determine if the presence or quantity of these microorganisms correlates with conception rates or pregnancy complications.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological examination of throat, urethral, and vaginal samples from 100 adult chimpanzees (24 males, 76 females).
- Isolation and identification of ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas, and chlamydiae.
- Correlation analysis with conception rates, abortion, and stillbirth data.
Main Results:
- Ureaplasmas were prevalent in the female genital tract (95%) and male urethra (29%), but rare in throats.
- Mycoplasmas showed similar genital tract prevalence to ureaplasmas but were more common in throats.
- No significant difference in microbial presence or quantity was observed between chimpanzees with low and high conception rates.
- Chlamydiae were not detected in any subjects.
- No association found between genital tract microbes and abortion/stillbirth.
Conclusions:
- Ureaplasmas and mycoplasmas frequently colonize the chimpanzee urogenital tract, particularly in females.
- The presence and abundance of these microorganisms do not appear to influence chimpanzee conception rates or pregnancy outcomes.