Utilisation d'implants sous-cutanés à base de desloréline ou de mélatonine comme moyen de contraception chez les chats

Abstract

In male cats, subcutaneous deslorelin implants reduce sexual behavior and inhibit spermatogenesis. In females, deslorelin and melatonin implants can prevent or inhibit estrus, respectively in the long term (for an average of 16 to 37 months) and in the short term (for an average of 2 to 4 months). This second implant is still little used by canine veterinarians for lack of availability or practicality. Many owners have little, or no information, about the possibility of using implants for birth control in their cats. Indeed, the use of melatonin like deslorelin in cats is off-label (Marketing Authorization). Sabine Schäfer-Somi listed in 2015 the data concerning the use of melatonin and in 2020, Etienne Furthner and his collaborators published the first field study concerning the use of the two implants. The latter seems to be expanding rapidly. Nevertheless, it is important to know the framework and the limits of their use. Overall, the owner should be informed prior to implantation of the highly individual efficacy of the implant, the difficulty in predicting return to heat, the possibility of failure, and possible side effects. Also, additional studies on a larger scale are necessary to confirm or refute the current data and to better control these implants. Finally, we will make an opening on a completely different subject, contraceptive vaccines as an alternative to surgical sterilization.