SERUM LH DURING OVULATORY AND ANOVULATORY MENSTRUAL CYCLES IN MACAQUES

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Abstract
Serum LH concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay, in peripheral blood obtained daily throughout 21 ovulatory and 3 anovulatory cycles in 18 crab-eating macaques (M. fascicularis) and 7 cycles in 4 bonnet macaques (M. radiata). The occurrence of ovulation was determined by laparoscopic and/or laparotomic examinations in both macaque species. A single mid-cycle peak in LH concentration was detected. LH concentrations were similar during the follicular and luteal phase of the cycle and increased abruptly to approximately a 2–10 fold rise at mid-cycle. LH surge occurred predominantly as a single distinctive peak lasting for one day. In some cycles additional burst in LH concentration occurred 2–4 days after the main LH peak. Ovulation occurred about 6–24 hours after the peak concentration of serum LH. At the time of LH surge, the cervical mucus showed maximal quantity, spinnbarkeit and arborization. The pre-ovulatory LH surge occurred most frequently on Days 10–13 of the cycle. The variability of the length of the menstrual cycle was due primarily to variation in duration of follicular phase, whereas the luteal phase was remarkably constant. Anovulatory cycles were unaccompanied by mid-cycle LH surge. The mean value of serum LH concentration in anovulatory cycles was similar to the pre- and post-peak serum LH levels in ovulatory cycles. Serum LH was seldom flat but there were often rhythmic oscillations ranging from 20 to 100% of calculated mean value of serum LH.

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