Introduction

Name

• Deslorelin.
• Available veterinary formulation contains deslorelin as deslorelin acetate.

Class of drug

• Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist.

Description

Chemical name

• acetic acid;(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2R)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-(diaminomethylideneamino)-1-[(2S)-2-(ethylcarbamoyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxamide.

Molecular formula

• C₆₆H₈₇N₁₇O₁₄.

Molecular weight

• 1342.5 g/mol.

Physical properties

• White to pale yellow cylindrical implant (size of a microchip).
• Implant is supplied in a pre-loaded implanter.

Storage requirements

• Store in refrigerator (2-8°C/35.6-46.4°F).
• Do not freeze.
• Shelf-life of product packaged for sale: 3 years.

Uses

Indications

• Deslorelin implants have been used to manage clinical signs of adrenocortical disease in both male and female rabbits where adrenalectomy was not an option.
• Non-surgical contraceptive methods are limited in rabbits:
  • In one study it was concluded that application of a deslorelin implant in male rabbits is not a reliable contraceptive method.
  • In another study it showed that deslorelin could suppress estrus in female rabbits, however, over half of the rabbits that received an implant developed uterine pathology.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• None known.

Warnings for personnel handling the product

• Women in childbearing age should avoid contact with the product or wear disposable plastic gloves when handling the product.
• ​Pregnant women should handle the product with extreme care.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Wright T, Eshar D, Rooney T & Berle E C-P (2022) Use of a deslorelin implant for management of hyperandrogenism associated with excessive sex hormone production in a female spayed pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Exotic Pet Med 40, 12-15 SciDirect.
• Schoemaker N J (2018) Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists and other contraceptive medications in exotic companion animals. Vet Clin Exot Anim 21 (2), 443-464 PubMed.
• Geyer A, Daub L, Otzdorff C et al (2016) Reversible estrous cycle suppression in prepubertal female rabbits treated with slow-release deslorelin implants. Theriogenol 85 (2), 282-287 PubMed.
• Geyer A, Poth T, Otzdorff C et al (2016) Histopathological examination of the genital tract in rabbits treated once or twice with a slow-release deslorelin implant for reversible suppression of ovarian function. Theriogenol 86 (9), 2281-2289 PubMed.
• Rose J B, Vergneau-Grosset C, Steffey M A et al (2016) Adrenalectomy and nephrectomy in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with adrenocortical carcinoma and renal and ureteral transitional cell carcinoma. J Exotic Pet Med 25 (4), 332-341 SciDirect.
• Goericke-Pesch S, Groeger G, Wehrend A (2015) The effects of a slow release GnRH agonist implant in male rabbits. Anim Repro Sci 152, 83-89 PubMed.
• Risi E (2014) Control of reproduction in ferrets, rabbits and rodents. 49 (Suppl 2), 81-86 PubMed.
• Johnson J G (2013) Therapeutic review: Deslorelin acetate subcutaneous implant. J Exotic Pet Med 22, 82-84.

Other sources of information

• Meredith A (2015) Ed Small Animal Formulary. Part B: Exotic Pets. 9th edn. BSAVA, UK. pp 338.
• Mayer J & Donnelly T M (2013) Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. Elsevier, USA. pp 752.
• Plumb D C (2008) Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 6th edn. Blackwell Publishing, USA. pp 1120.

Organisation(s)

• National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines. Website: www.noahcompendium.co.uk.