Effects of Gonadatropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Immunization in Molly Mules

Introduction

Canine Gonadatropin Releasing Factor Immunotherapeutic® (canine GnRH vaccine, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY) is a vaccine labeled for the treatment of canine benign prostatic hyperplasia, which has been used to prevent estrous cyclicity and behavior in mares. Serum assayed from these vaccinated mares had elevated GnRH antibody titers and progesterone concentrations consistent with anestrus (<1.0 ng/mL). Female mules (mollies) display regular estrous cyclicity and behavior like the mare, and therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether GnRH vaccination would effectively prevent estrous cyclicity in mollies as well. We hypothesized that vaccinated mollies would develop GnRH antibodies, which would prevent estrous cyclicity and behavior. [...]