Chromosomal instability in rhesus macaque preimplantation embryos.

OBJECTIVE

To establish a relevant animal model to systematically investigate chromosomal instability in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

DESIGN

Prospective rhesus monkey IVF study.

SETTING

Academic laboratory, Oregon National Primate Research Center and Caribbean Primate Research Center.

ANIMAL(S): Young rhesus macaque females.

INTERVENTION(S): In vitro produced entire rhesus macaque preimplantation embryos were cytogenetically assessed using a five-color fluorescent in situ hybridization assay developed for rhesus macaque chromosomes homologous to human chromosomes 13, 16, 18, X, and Y, using human bacterial artificial chromosome probes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Chromosomal abnormality rates in preimplantation embryos from young rhesus macaque females were established.

RESULT(S): Fifty preimplantation embryos, displaying good morphology and normal development, were analyzed from 11 young rhesus macaque females. Overall, 27 embryos (54%) were normal, 11 embryos (22%) mosaic, 3 embryos (6%) chaotic, 2 embryos (4%) aneuploid, 3 embryos (6%) haploid, and 4 embryos (8%) triploid.

CONCLUSION(S): These data indicate that in vitro produced rhesus macaque and human preimplantation embryos exhibit similar numerical chromosomal aberrations. Rhesus macaques appear to be a suitable animal model for investigating the origin of chromosomal instability observed in human preimplantation embryos.