Effect of deslorelin implants on the testicular function in male ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Deslorelin effect in Lemur catta

Authors

  • Annais Carbajal Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
  • Oriol Tallo-Parra Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
  • Maria Sabes-Alsina Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
  • Laura Monclus Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
  • Maria Dolores Carbonell Bioparc Valencia, Avda. Pío Baroja 3, 46015 Valencia, Spain
  • Cati Gerique Bioparc Valencia, Avda. Pío Baroja 3, 46015 Valencia, Spain
  • Miguel Casares Bioparc Valencia, Avda. Pío Baroja 3, 46015 Valencia, Spain; Zoo Frankfurt, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, D-60316 Frankfurt, Germany
  • Manel Lopez-Bejar Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici V, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v6i2.349

Keywords:

GnRH-agonist, fecal testosterone, spermatogenesis, aggression, male contraception

Abstract

Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are popular exhibit animals in zoos. During the breeding season, males may fight strongly and this may end up with serious wounds and/or escapes. The hormonal contraceptive deslorelin, a GnRH-agonist, has been used in different species to suppress reproduction. This contraception strategy can reduce the production of sexual hormones and therefore, it could be used to control aggressive behavior. Here, we analyzed the effect of a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant on the testicular function in five male ring-tailed lemurs. The aim of the study was to assess if this contraception strategy could be used to reduce testosterone levels and thus aggressive interactions within individuals. Neither testosterone concentrations detected in feces nor spermatogenesis evaluated by testes histology was suppressed by the deslorelin treatment. The present study has shown that a GnRH implant containing 4.7 mg deslorelin has no contraceptive effects in ring-tailed lemurs. The use of different dosages of deslorelin implants as well as the effect of other hormonal contraceptives should be evaluated in this species.

Downloads

Published

28-04-2018

How to Cite

Carbajal, A., Tallo-Parra, O., Sabes-Alsina, M., Monclus, L., Carbonell, M. D., Gerique, C., Casares, M., & Lopez-Bejar, M. (2018). Effect of deslorelin implants on the testicular function in male ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta): Deslorelin effect in Lemur catta. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 6(2), 37–40. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v6i2.349

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)