AZA Wildlife Contraception Center programme for wild felids and canids

North American zoos began using melengestrol acetate (MGA) implants to control reproduction in wild felids in the mid-1970s. Research linking MGA and other progestin-based contraceptives to uterine and mammary pathology in canids as well as felids resulted in a shift to GnRH agonist implants (Suprelorin(®): deslorelin, Peptech Animal Health, Australia). However, a recent study revealed an association between Suprelorin(®) and uterine pathology in canids, but that pathology was not found in canids treated with oral megestrol acetate (MA) for 2 weeks around the time of implant insertion to prevent the initial agonist stimulation phase. Thus, the AZA Wildlife Contraception Center (WCC) currently recommends Suprelorin(®) plus the 2-week MA regimen for wild canids and felids. WCC research is now focusing on factors affecting Suprelorin(®) reversibility.