Infectious agents and reproductive disorders in non-human primates used as biomodels in animal experimentation

Abstract

Reproductive disorders in non-human primates can be caused by a range of factors, in particular by infectious diseases. The literature review presented here aimed to identify the principal pathogens that can cause reproductive disorders in nonhuman primates, in particular, in the experimental models used for biomedical research. Although it is still largely unclear to what extent the pathogens as Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycoplasma spp. can cause similar reproductive disorders in nonhuman primates, as observed in the human population and other animal group, we concluded that it would be strongly recommended to test for infection by these infectious agents all captive nonhuman primates with a history of reproductive disorders.

Keywords

• primates
• reproductive disorders
• bacteria
• protozoa