From Mice to Primates: Assessing Hormone-Based Endometriosis Models for Preclinical and Therapeutic Insights
Tamadon A. Zare A. Mahdipour M. Salehpour A. Mussin N.M. Mussina A.A. Aringazina R.A. Duisenova A. Zhilisbayeva K.R. Kurmanalina M.A. Fu C.
December 2025Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences
2025#50Issue 12806 - 818 pp.
Endometriosis, a complex gynecological disorder characterized by ectopic endometrial-like tissue, affects over 10% of women, causing chronic pain and infertility. Despite extensive research, its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, with proposed mechanisms including inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and retrograde menstruation. Given ethical and practical challenges in human studies, animal models are essential for investigating endometriosis pathogenesis and evaluating therapeutic interventions. This review examines hormone-related animal models of endometriosis, comparing induction methods (autotransplantation, xenotransplantation, and spontaneous models) and their applications in studying sex steroid hormones (SSH) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. We analyzed 158 studies (2010–2024) from PubMed Central/Medline, focusing on SSH and HPG axis involvement. A novel scoring system was developed to assess the model’s suitability based on species, induction method, pharmacological effects, hormonal/genetic evaluations, histological confirmation, feasibility, ethics, and cost. Non-human primate models, particularly spontaneous and hormone-induced baboon models, scored highest due to their physiological resemblance to humans. However, rodent models remain widely used due to practicality. Our findings highlight the need for improved preclinical models to enhance translational research, ultimately aiding in the development of targeted therapies for endometriosis. This comprehensive analysis provides a framework for selecting optimal animal models in future endometriosis research.
Endometriosis , Estrogens , Models, animal , Progesterone , Sex steroid hormones
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Department of Natural Sciences, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
PerciaVista R&D Co, Shiraz, Iran
Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Department of General Surgery, West Kazakhstan Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Family Medicine No. 1, Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Internal Medicine No. 1, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Psychology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Languages, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Department of Therapeutic and Prosthetic Dentistry, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
Health Management Center, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, 400060, China
Department of Natural Sciences
Stem Cells Technology Research Center
PerciaVista R&D Co
Stem Cell Research Center
Department of Applied Cell Sciences
Department of General Surgery
Department of Family Medicine No. 1
Department of Internal Medicine No. 1
Department of Psychology
Department of Languages
Department of Therapeutic and Prosthetic Dentistry
Health Management Center
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