Effect of Deslorelin Implants on Domestic Queen Puberty: A Preliminary Report

Prolonged administration of GnRH agonists acts through desensitization and down-regulation of the GnRH pituitary receptors. However, this procedure is initially preceded by an increased release of gonadotrophins which, in females, can result in an estrous response. Long-term release GnRH agonists have shown to postpone puberty in boys, although their effect on feline puberty has not been assessed. We hypothesized that the long term release GnRH agonist, deslorelin acetate, postpones puberty in queens without the initial stimulation of the gonadal axis, when administered when the cat is at approximately 50% adult body weight. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of deslorelin acetate implants on domestic queen puberty postponement. [...]