Vet Med - Czech, 2009, 54(2):89-95 | DOI: 10.17221/25/2009-VETMED

Deslorelin treatment of hyperoestrogenism in neutered ferrets (Mustela putorius furo): a case report

A. Prohaczik, M. Kulcsar, Gy. Huszenicza
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary

Hyperoestrogenism causing progressive alopecia in neutered ferrets may be induced by ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and nodular hyperplasia of the adrenocortex (hyperadrenocorticism, NHA). The objective of the study was to determine whether a slow-release implant of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, deslorelin, has any value in therapy of hyperoestrogenism of adrenocortical origin (NHA). Three supposed cases of NHA with alopecia and other clinical signs of hyperoestrogenism (n = 2 spayed females in oestrous and n = 1 castrated male) were treated with a subcutaneous implant of 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate. Blood samples were collected, and plasma levels of estradiol (E2) were determined just before, and some weeks after treatment. For realistic monitoring, blood samples for E2 determination were also taken from intact, healthy (untreated control) females after the beginning of heat (n = 5), or 9-21 days after, with hCG induced ovulation (n = 6), or out of breeding season (n = 3). Before treatment, all three alopecic ferrets showed elevated E2 concentrations (99.45-139.9 pmol/l) similar to the untreated control females in oestrous (61.6-123.02 pmol/l) (P = 0.229). Some weeks after the deslorelin administration, the hair of these ferrets began to grow again and the elevated E2 concentrations significantly decreased compared to the pre-treatment values (P = 0.035). E2 concentrations reached the basal level (12.89-16.08 pmol/l) typical for that of the untreated control females in anoestrus or in luteal phase (12.0-30.58 pmol/l) (P = 0.137). All treated ferrets were examined again 19-21 months after implant insertion (the implant still being present) and all of them had normal hair and were clinically healthy. These observations prove that deslorelin can suppress the E2 production of NHA, and is therefore a useful tool in the therapy of hormonal alopecia neutered ferrets.

Keywords: deslorelin; GnRH analogue; estradiol; hyperadrenocorticism

Published: February 28, 2009  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Prohaczik A, Kulcsar M, Huszenicza G. Deslorelin treatment of hyperoestrogenism in neutered ferrets (Mustela putorius furo): a case report. Vet Med - Czech. 2009;54(2):89-95. doi: 10.17221/25/2009-VETMED.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Bielinska M., Kiiveri S., Parviainen H., Mannisto S., Heikinheimo M., Wilson D.B. (2006): Gonadectomyinduced adrenocortical neoplasia in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and laboratory mouse. Veterinary Pathology, 43, 97-117. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    2. Coleman G.D., Chavez M.A., Williams B.H. (1998): Cystic prostatic disease associated with adrenocortical lesions in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Veterinary Pathology, 35, 547-549. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Delbecchi L., Lacasse P. (2006): Short communication: Suppression of estrous cycles in lactating cows has no effect on milk production. Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 636-639. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. DeNardo G.A., Becker K., Brown N.O., Dobbins S. (2001): Ovarian remnant syndrome: revascularization of free-floating ovarian tissue in the feline abdominal cavity. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 37, 290-296. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Fox J.G., Marini R.P. (1998): Disease of the endocrine system. In: Fox J.G. (ed.): Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. 2nd ed. Williams and Wilkins Press, London. 294 pp.
    6. Gobello C. (2006): Dopamine agonists, anti-progestins, anti-androgens, long-term-release GnRH agonists and anti-estrogens in canine reproduction: A review. Theriogenology, 66, 1560-1567. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Herbert C.A., Trigg T.E., Cooper D.W. (2006): Fertility control in female eastern grey kangaroos using the GnRH agonist deslorelin. 1. Effects on reproduction. Wildlife Research, 33, 41-46. Go to original source...
    8. Hillyer E. (1992): Ferret Endocrinology. In: Kirk R.W., Bonagura J.D. (eds.): Current Veterinary Therapy XI: Small Animal Practice. WB Saunders, Philadelphia. 1185 pp.
    9. Kraeling R.R., Barb C.R., Rampacek G.B., Thompson D.L., Gibson J.W., Sullivan S.A., Simon B., Burns P.J. (2000): Luteinizing hormone response to controlledrelease deslorelin in estradiol benzoate primed ovariectomized gilts.Theriogenology, 53, 1681-1689. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Lawrence H.J., Gould W.J., Flanders J.A., Rowland P.H., Yeager A.E. (1993): Unilateral adrenalectomy as a treatment for adrenocortical tumors in ferrets: five cases (1990-1992). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 203, 267-270. Go to original source...
    11. Lipman N.S., Marini R.P., Murphy J.C., Zhibi Z., Fox J.G. (1993): Estradiol-17 beta-secreting adrenocortical tumor in a ferret. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 203, 1552-1555. Go to original source...
    12. Munson L., Bauman J.E., Asa C.S., Jochle W., Trigg T.E. (2001): Efficacy of the GnRH analogue deslorelin for suppression of oestrous cycles in cats. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 57(Suppl.), 269-273.
    13. Patterson M.M., Rogers A.B., Schrenzel M.D., Marini R.P., Fox J.G. (2003): Alopecia attributed to neoplastic ovarian tissue in two ferrets. Comparative Medicine, 53, 213-217.
    14. Prohaczik A., Kulcsar M., Trigg T., Huszenicza Gy. (2003): Treatments suppressing ovarian activity in ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 38, 331.
    15. Quesenberry K.E., Rosenthal K.L. (2004): Endocrine disease. In: Quesenberry K.E., Carpenter J.W. (eds.): Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery. W.B. Saunders Press, United States of America. 86-87. Go to original source...
    16. Ramer J.C., Benson K.G., Morrisey J.K., O'Brien R.T., Paul-Murphy J. (2006): Effects of melatonin administration on the clinical course of adrenocortical disease in domestic ferrets. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 229, 1743-1748. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Reichler I.M., Hubler M., Jochle W., Trigg T.E., Piche C.A., Arnold S. (2003): The effect of GnRH analogs on urinary incontinence after ablation of the ovaries in dogs.Theriogenology, 60, 1207-1216. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Rosenthal K.L. (1997): Adrenal gland disease in ferrets. The veterinary clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice, 27, 401-418. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Rosenthal K.L., Peterson M.E. (1996a): Evaluation of plasma androgen and estrogen concentration in ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 209, 1097-1102. Go to original source...
    20. Rosenthal K.L., Peterson M.E. (1996b): Stranguria in a castrated male ferret. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 209, 62-63. Go to original source...
    21. Rosenthal K.L., Peterson M.E., Quesenberry K.E., Hillyer E.V., Beeber N.L., Moroff S.D., Lothrop C.D.Jr. (1993): Hyperadrenocorticism associated with adrenocortical tumor or nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal gland in ferrets: 50 cases (1987-1991). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 203, 271-275. Go to original source...
    22. Schoemaker N.J. (2003): Hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets. [PhD dissertation.] Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht.
    23. Schoemaker N.J., Schuurmans M., Moorman H., Lumeij J.T. (2000): Correlation between age at neutering and age at onset of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 216, 195-197. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    24. Schoemaker N.J., Teerds K.J., Mol J.A., Lumeij J.T., Thijssen J.H., Rijnberk A. (2002): The role of luteinizing hormone in the pathogenesis of hyperadrenocorticism in neutered ferrets. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 197, 117-125. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    25. Schoemaker N.J., van der Hage MH.., Flik G., Lumeij J.T., Rijnberk A. (2004): Morphology of the pituitary gland in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with hyperadrenocorticism. Journal of comparative pathology, 130, 255-265. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. Schoemaker N.J., van Deijk R., Muijlaert B., Kik M.J., Kuijten A.M., de Jong F.H., Trigg T.E., Kruitwagen C.L., Mol J.A. (2008): Use of a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist implant as an alternative for surgical castration in male ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).Theriogenology, 70, 161-167. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Silvestre F.T., Bartolome J.A., Kamimura S., Arteche A.C., Pancarci S.M., Trigg T., Thatcher W.W. (2009): Postpartum suppression of ovarian activity with a Deslorelin implant enhanced uterine involution in lactating dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science, 110, 79-95. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Wagner R.A., Dorn D.P. (1994): Evaluation of serum estradiol concentrations in alopecic ferrets with adrenal gland tumors. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 205, 703-707. Go to original source...
    29. Wagner R.A., Bailey E.M., Schneider J.F., Oliver J.W. (2001): Leuprolide acetate treatment of adrenocortical disease in ferrets. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 218, 1272-1274. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Wagner R.A., Piche C.A., Jochle W., Oliver J.W. (2005): Clinical and endocrine responses to treatment with deslorelin acetate implants in ferrets with adrenocortical disease. American journal of veterinary research, 66, 910-914. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    31. Weiss C.A., Scott M.V. (1997): Clinical aspects and surgical treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in the domestic ferret: 94 cases (1994-1996). Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 33, 487-493. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    32. Weiss C.A., Williams B.H., Scott J.B., Scott M.V. (1999): Surgical treatment and long-term outcome of ferrets with bilateral adrenal tumors or adrenal hyperplasia: 56 cases (1994-1997). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 215, 820-823. Go to original source...
    33. Whaler C.L., Kamieniecki C.L. (1998): Ferret adrenalassociated endocrinopathy. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 39, 175-176.

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content