Baboon Model for the Study of Endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent disease and is now recognized as an enigmatic disease owing to its various clinical manifestations and locations. The lack of a reliable and specific method for the early detection of endometriosis often results in delayed diagnosis. So far, research has born inadequate findings regarding understanding the basic etiology or pathophysiology of endometriosis. Animal models that accurately represent the cellular and molecular changes associated with the initiation and progression of human endometriosis have significant potential to facilitate the development of better methods for the early detection and treatment of endometriosis. A number of animal model systems have been developed for the study of this disease. These models replicate many of the known salient features of human endometriosis. This review provides an insight into the use of the baboon model for studies focused on understanding human endometriosis.