Comprehensive Overview of Methods of Pregnancy Termination in Macaques and Marmosets

Limited information is available concerning the termination of pregnancy in non-human primates. Thus, a comprehensive review of this topic will be beneficial for veterinary staff in laboratories, zoos, and wildlife rehabilitation centers. The most relevant studies concerning the termination of viable and non-viable pregnancy in non-human primates were analyzed, and dosages, administration routes, adverse effects, and the efficacy of the drugs used are reported. The literature revealed that termination of pregnancy is most commonly performed in marmosets and macaques. The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol was reported to be effective and fast-acting in terminating first-trimester pregnancy in macaques, while cloprostenol was identified as the best agent for use in marmosets. This review also provides insights about the limitations of previously described methods of pregnancy termination and discusses potential alternatives and areas for future investigation.