Seminal and hematological parameters in domestic cats immunocastrated with a GnRH vaccine

Preliminary results

Authors

  • Jorge Jagger Segura Ochoa Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Recursos Naturales y del Ambiente. Universidad Estatal de Bolívar, Guaranda, Ecuador. 2. Cátedra de Reproducción Animal. Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina
  • Romina Nuñez Favre Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6792-0141
  • María Florencia García Cátedra de Reproducción Animal. Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina
  • María Cecilia Stornelli Cátedra de Reproducción Animal. Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina
  • María Carla García Mitacek Cátedra de Reproducción Animal. Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5646-876X
  • Washington Fernando Carrasco Sangache Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Recursos Naturales y del Ambiente. Universidad Estatal de Bolívar, Guaranda, Ecuador. 2. Cátedra de Reproducción Animal. Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6634-0612
  • María Alejandra Stornelli Cátedra de Reproducción Animal. Instituto de Investigaciones en Reproducción Animal. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. La Plata, Argentina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7285-1814

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24215/15142590e069

Keywords:

immunocontraception, reproductive control, castration

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effect of the anti-GnRH vaccine Improvac® on the reproductive control of male domestic cats. Seven clinically healthy adult male cats were used. Cats were maintained in a controlled environment to avoid sperm variations due to photoperiod. Semen samples, testicular volume, penile spines quality, and blood samples for hemogram and serum glucose determination were evaluated every two weeks for 180 days. After three consecutive seminal evaluations, the first dose of the vaccine was administered, followed by a second dose 4 weeks later. Reductions in seminal parameters, testicular volume, and penile spines size were observed in six cats two months after vaccination and continued until the end of the study. By this time, seminal parameters and testicular volume decreased 90 % and 49 %, respectively, compared to initial values. Penile spines showed almost complete atrophy. Hematologic parameters observed during the study period were within normal values for domestic cats. This is the first report that assessed the immunocontraceptive effectiveness of the Improvac® vaccine for reproductive control in male domestic cats. Further studies are necessary to determine the duration of the contraceptive effect and fertility after vaccination.

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Published

2022-12-30

How to Cite

Segura Ochoa, J. J., Nuñez Favre, R., García, M. F., Stornelli, M. C., García Mitacek, M. C., Carrasco Sangache, W. F., & Stornelli, M. A. (2022). Seminal and hematological parameters in domestic cats immunocastrated with a GnRH vaccine: Preliminary results. Analecta Veterinary, 42(2), 069. https://doi.org/10.24215/15142590e069

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 2 (2022): Analecta Veterinaria

Section

Short Communications

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Copyright (c) 2022 Jorge Jagger Segura Ochoa, Romina Nuñez Favre, María Florencia García, María Cecilia Stornelli, María Carla García Mitacek, Washington Fernando Carrasco Sangache, María Alejandra Stornelli

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