trelstar and Cat-Diseases

In 2009 Suprelorin® was released in Switzerland for the temporary suppression of fertility in male dogs. However, in practice it has also been used to treat other conditions in male dogs and in bitches. These include treatment of benign hyperplasia of the prostate, the induction or suppression of oestrus and treatment for the side effects of gonadectomy. Also in feline reproductive medicine GnRH-agonists gain increased importance. These areas of application are listed here in terms of treatment success and possible adverse effects after treatment of which owners have to be informed beforehand.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Enzyme Inhibitors; Estrus; Female; Fertility; Male; Ovariectomy; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Triptorelin Pamoate; Urinary Incontinence

Objectives Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists like deslorelin are being increasingly used in tom cats for their efficacy in controlling reproductive behaviour and fertility. Deslorelin implants have been widely available in Europe since 2008. Little, if anything, is known about the interval between treatment and onset of sterility, as well as semen quality, after treatment in tom cats. The purpose of this study was to investigate semen quality and interval to sterility in tom cats treated with a 9.4 mg deslorelin implant. Methods Fifteen healthy adult tom cats were treated with a 9.4 mg deslorelin implant (Suprelorin 12). For each cat, semen collection and a GnRH stimulation test (intramuscular administration of 50 μg gonadorelin [Fertagyl], followed by blood sampling 1 h later, to assay serum testosterone) were performed on the first consultation and then repeated every 15 days until complete sterility was achieved. Semen collection was performed by introducing a 14 cm, open-end feline catheter (Argyle) 9 cm into the distal urethra 10 mins after sedation by intramuscular injection of 100 μg/kg medetomidine (Domitor). Results Semen collection was not successful in all cats at each attempt. In the first month after treatment, the semen of only four cats could be evaluated, while the semen of eight cats could be evaluated during the second and third months of the study. Semen quality (ejaculate volume, progressive motility and morphological abnormalities) improved slightly during the first 19-25 days in 2/4 cats, and in 1/4 cats motility was still very high (80%) 25 days post-treatment (PT), but we have no data regarding fertility prior to treatment in this cat. The last cat never produced spermatozoa. Subsequently, semen quality gradually worsened in all cats from 30 days onwards. At 70 days PT, one cat was still potentially fertile. After 72 days all cats were sterile. Conclusions and relevance Semen quality increased slightly in treated cats during the first month after treatment, and then gradually decreased over the following months. Complete sterility was reached within 40-72 days following implantation.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Contraception; Contraceptive Agents, Male; Drug Implants; Infertility; Infertility, Male; Male; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Triptorelin Pamoate