Use of adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) for testing the biological activity of gonadotropin releasing hormone and its analogues

Abstract

The effect of injecting agonistic and antagonistic analogues of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues on serum testosterone levels was checked in adult and immature male bonnet monkeys. Of the agonistic analogues Buserelin, Ovurelin and D-Phe⁶ Gln⁸ GnRH were found to be most potent in increasing serum testosterone levels in the adult male bonnet monkeys. While 27-month-old monkeys responded well to des Gly¹⁰ GnRH, only marginal response was observed in the case of 15-month-old monkeys. Studies carried out with Ovurelin indicated that it was not effective in causing desensitization in adult monkeys. The antagonistic analogue was effective in blocking nocturnal surge of serum testosterone. Based on these studies it is suggested the adult male bonnet monkeys can be effectively used for testing the activity of GnRH analogues.