Immunocontraception of male domestic cats using GnRH vaccine Improvac

Abstract

The domestic cat is a highly prolific species; thus, reproductive control is crucial to reducing feral cat overpopulation. This study aimed to assess the effect of a commercially-available GnRH vaccine for swine on suppressing sperm production in male cats. Twelve sexually mature tomcats were randomly divided into two groups. Treated cats (n = 9) received a GnRH vaccine (Improvac, Zoetis Belgium SA, 0.5 mL sc) twice 4 wk apart, and the control group (CON, n = 3) saline solution (0.5 mL sc). Reproductive parameters and blood samples were recorded every 2 wk, from 6 wk before vaccination until 24 wk after the first dose. Day 0 of the study was defined as the day of primary immunization with either the vaccine or saline solution. Serum testosterone concentrations of treated cats dropped to basal levels 6 wk after D0, while CON cats maintained serum testosterone concentrations between normal ranges during the study period. No differences were observed in pretreatment and CON seminal samples. However, a progressive decrease in seminal quality was observed in treated cats from wk 8 until the end of the study. By wk 24, sperm concentration and total sperm count decreased by 90%, motility decreased by 70%, and viability decreased by 60%. Moreover, testicular volume was reduced by 49%, and penile spines showed almost complete atrophy by the end of the study. Although treated cats showed a decrease in the hematocrit, erythrocyte count, and hemoglobin concentration, values were within the reference range for domestic cats. No differences were observed in the other hematological and biochemical parameters evaluated. Our results agree with previous immunocontraception studies in cats, showing that Improvac vaccination effectively reduced sperm quality, testicular volume, and serum testosterone concentration. Further studies should be carried out to define the Improvac long-term effect.