ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The sex cycles of a chimpanzee were studied for 18 months, during which the animal matured, menstruated four times, conceived, and delivered.Pronounced swelling of the ano-genital region appeared periodically prior to the first menstruation. During menstrual cycles the swelling endured during most of the period between flows. Genital swelling was always accompanied by estrus; copulation and insemination never occurred during its absence.The animal was alert and active when in estrus, demonstrated non-sexual affection for the male just prior to the flow, and appeared to be physically distressed during the first days of each flow.There were periodic weight changes coordinated with the animal's menstrual cycles.During pregnancy menstruation ceased, but genital swelling, with accompanying sexual receptivity, continued in irregular cycles.Cyclic changes in the desquamation of the vaginal epithelium occurred during menstrual cycles, were absent during pregnancy.The gestation period was approximately 246 days. At death from puerperal sepsis, 15 days after delivery, the ovaries were in a restin stage, one of them bearing a degenerating corpus luteum.The evidence given indicates that sex-skin swelling and estrus are similarly controlled, but may occur independently of menstruation, cornification of the vaginal epithelium, or ovulation.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1050540307
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