A human fertility drug has helped a gorilla conceive and have a healthy baby.  It was discovered that Salome, a western lowland gorilla at Bristol Zoo Gardens suffered from diminished ovarian reserve – a condition previously only diagnosed in humans (see full story at BBC online, Fertility treatment aids gorilla).  Western lowland gorillas are endangered, so anything that increases the success of breeding is crucial to saving the species.

This is another classic example of how animal research benefits both humans and animals – primates are used in reproductive research owing to their similar reproductive anatomy, endocrinology and other physiological features compared to humans… Now the karmic wheel has turned and primates are benefiting in return.

See also Bonobos treated for heart disease