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Use of deslorelin implants for contraception in slender tailed meerkats ( Suricata suricatta )
Author(s) -
Kubiak Marie,
Saunders Richard
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
veterinary record case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.165
H-Index - 4
ISSN - 2052-6121
DOI - 10.1136/vetreccr-2015-000281
Subject(s) - medicine , physiology , gynecology , dentistry
Deslorelin acetate implants are advocated for contraception in many mammalian species, including meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ), but little objective data exists on efficacy of this method. This study followed two groups of meerkats, one contracepted using deslorelin implants, one without contraception, to assess the efficacy of this treatment on breeding cessation. The contracepted group produced no further litters whilst the control group continued to breed. Following group expansion, the control group was subsequently contracepted with deslorelin implants for management reasons, resulting in suppression of further conception though one already pregnant female successfully carried her litter to term. Deslorelin implants appear a safe and effective form of contraception for meerkats.