Hysterosalpingography: a technique to aid in assessment of reproductive fitness of female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

A hysterosalpingography method was developed to examine the uterine cavity and oviducts of potential additions to our squirrel monkey breeding colony and those animals within the colony with a history of infertility. Females to be examined were anesthetized and placed in dorsal recumbency. A needle was inserted transabdominally into the body of the uterus, the cervix was sealed with a clamp applied vaginally, and water soluble contrast media was infused into the uterine cavity with sufficient pressure to fill the oviducts. Radiographs were obtained during infusion resulting in visualization of the uterine cavity and the lumina of the oviducts. The ovaries were visualized as they were surrounded by contrast media draining from the fimbriae of the oviducts. Hysterosalpingography proved to be a useful method for clinical evaluation of reproductive potential of female squirrel monkeys. It also has provided a means to diagnose causes of infertility associated with dysfunction of the oviducts.