Endometriosis: clinical and pathologic findings in 70 rhesus monkeys

Endometriosis was histologically confirmed in 70 female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Severity of endometriosis was staged as minimal (14% of the monkeys), moderate (20%), or massive (66%). Clinical examination indicated masses in the abdomen and/or pelvic cavity palpable abdominally (64% of the monkeys) or rectally (93%), constipation (29%), anorexia (39%), irregular menses (17%), and radiographic evidence of abdominal soft tissue masses (38%). Pathologic findings were of intra-abdominal endometrial cyst formation (73% of the monkeys), and adhesions involving the ureters (51%), colon (66%), urinary bladder (50%), or ovaries (81%). Metastatic growth of endometrial tissue was found in 4 (6%) of the monkeys.