The use of a slow release GnRH-agonist implant in female ferrets in season for oestrus suppression.

The jill is a long-day breeder with a constant oestrus without mating. Persistent oestrogen production results in clinical signs of hyperoestrogenism including pancytopenia and death if untreated. As spaying is thought to be related to the development of hyperadrenocorticism, a non-invasive, safe and effective long-term treatment is needed for oestrus suppression in jills. Seven jills in oestrus were treated with a 4.7mg deslorelin implant. Blood samples for estradiol-17ß (E2) and progesterone (P4) determination were obtained before as well as 4 and 8 weeks after treatment; data are given as geometric mean (deviation factor, DF). Mean E2 was 280.2 pmol/L (1.7) before, 36.4 pmol/L (1.4) 4 and 21.6 pmol/L (1.1) 8 weeks after treatment (p < 0.0001). P4 before treatment was 1.4 nmol/L (2.6), 57.8 nmol/L (1.9) on week 4 and 3.8 nmol/L (2.6) on week 8 (p < 0.0001) indicating ovulation had occurred after implant insertion. Oestrous signs within the observation period of up to 32 months remained suppressed.