20.500.12556/RUL-170892 Efficacy, safety and interval from end of treatment to estrus in cats treated with an ultra-low dose megestrol acetate protocol for suppression of reproductive activity Cat breeders need safe, predictable and fully reversible temporary control of reproduction in queens. Megestrol acetate (MA), a short-acting progestogen was investigated in this study designed to determine whether low-dose treatment is both effective and safe in cats for periods up to 6 months. Twenty-eight queens were treated orally with 11.5 μg/kg/day of MA for one to six months. A physical examination, vaginal cytology, and reproductive ultrasound were performed before, during and after treatment, whilst urinalysis and hematological/biochemical tests, including progesterone assay, were performed before and after treatment. MA suppressed reproductive function effectively in 27/28 queens. Transient mammary and uterine hyperplasia were detected in four (14 %) and three (11 %) queens, respectively, treated for more than four months, without associated clinical signs. Pyometra was observed in only one queen following her first estrus cycle post-treatment. Significant but reversible weight gain was observed in 85 % of the animals. The resumption of cyclicity occurred on average 6 weeks after the end of treatment but was influenced by the duration of treatment and seasonality. An ultra-low dose MA treatment was effective in suppressing estrus in queens treated up to 6 months. Close monitoring should be paid to queens treated for longer than 4 months as the incidence of side effects, albeit minor and manageable, increases thereafter. Mammary gland assessment and progesterone assay are indispensable before treatment. Fertility is preserved, making MA a valuable option for temporary control of reproductive activity in queens, who otherwise cycle continuously leading to both unwanted behavior and pregnancies. cats reproduction control progestogens megestrol acetate contraception mačke nadzor reprodukcije progestageni megestrol acetat kontracepcija true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-07-21 10:52:43 2025-07-21 10:52:51 2025-07-22 04:15:59 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 9 str. Vol. 246, art. 117530 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 618.2/.7:636.09 1879-3231 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117530 243038467 Efficacy-Zakosek_Pipan.pdf Efficacy-Zakosek_Pipan.pdf 1 0296BF9B531E90AB19A19CC9FE690169 28eed4fea50b3da9e85e0794d4f4282c2c91d2d8a2fa29ef8fb021874be9b8c3 6b7409b2-6610-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=213164 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X25002560 1 1418a8fc-6610-11f0-9328-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=213162 Veterinarska fakulteta 0 0 0