title: GnRH-agonist implantation of prepubertal male cats affects their reproductive performance and testicular LH receptor and FSH receptor expression.
abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of GnRH-agonist implantation in prepubertal tomcats on sexual behavior, reproductive performance, and expression of testicular LH receptor (LHR) and FSH receptor (FSHR) and also to compare the testicular characteristics, LHR and FSHR expression between prepubertal and adult tomcats. In experiment 1, 3-month-old tomcats (n = 6/group) were either treated with or left without 4.7 mg deslorelin implants. Semen collection and evaluation were performed just before castration at 48 weeks after treatment; removed testes were analyzed for mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR. We were able to collect semen from six non-treated cats, whereas in treated cats, semen was uncollectable. The results revealed that sexual behavior was absent in the implanted cats throughout the study period. Testicular volume was found to decrease from 30 weeks after treatment onward in the implanted cats compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Semen production was found only in non-implanted cats. Testicular tissue score, seminiferous tubule diameter, and LHR protein expression were found lower in the implanted cats (P < 0.05), but no differences were observed in mRNA expression of LHR and protein expression of FSHR between groups. The mRNA expression of FSHR was higher in the implanted (P < 0.05) compared to control cats. In experiment 2, testes from prepubertal (n = 6) and adult (n = 6) male cats were collected after castration and analyzed for mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR. No differences were observed in the protein expression of LHR and FSHR between the two groups, whereas mRNA expression of FSHR was higher in prepubertal cats (P < 0.05). Testicular and epididymal weight, diameter of seminiferous tubules, and the testicular grade were higher in the adult compared to prepubertal cats (P < 0.05). In conclusion, deslorelin implants suppressed protein expression of LHR and enhanced mRNA expression of FSHR along with suppression of reproductive function without any adverse effects for at least 48 weeks in male cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Mehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Production and Population Health, The Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khalid
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srisuwatanasagul
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Swangchan-Uthai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: sudson.s@chula.ac.th.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirivaidyapong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003267:Contraception / Q000662:veterinary; D004343:Drug Implants; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D008297:Male; D011155:Population Control; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011974:Receptors, LH; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; C066438:deslorelin
keywords: FSHR; GnRH-agonist; LHR; Prepubertal cat; Reproductive behavior