Baboons With Endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that a recent corpus luteumn (CL) withoutfresh ovulation stigma (OS) can befound uwth a higher incidence and recurrence in baboons with endometriosis and is associated Lith a reduced egg recovery rate after uterineflush. METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight laparoscopies were perormed in the early luteal phase of 52 cycles in 32 female baboon wit / a normal pelvis (controls) and of 86 cycles in 21 animals with endometriosis. The incidence and recurrence of a recent CL uithout OS was studied during each laparoscopy an-d during thefirst three laparoscopies in 15 baboons (five controls, ten wvith endometriosis), respectively. The association betu'een the presence oj a recent CL without OS and the egg recovery rate was evaluated during 65 cycles in 21 baboons after uterine flush. RESULTS: Wh7en all 138 laparoscopies were analyzed, the incidence tf a recent CL without OS was higgher (P <.03) in animals u4th stage 11- Vendometriosis p35%) than in those with stage I disease (19%) or controls ( 1%). Both the incidence (seven of ten) and recurrence (three ofJten) ofa recent CL without OS were higher in baboons wzit / endometriosis than in controls (zero of five, P <. 02) when studied during the first three laparoscopies. Laparoscopies in primates having a recent CL without OS were associated with a lower eg recovery rate (13%) than in animals wit/i recent CL and OS (54%, P-.005).