Abstract
Simple SummaryNorth American pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) are invasive alien species that, following the release of pet specimens in the wild over the decades, have established breeding populations outside their native habitat, with detrimental effects on local biodiversity. Their commerce and breeding have been recently banned in the European Union, and national programs are being introduced by Union Members to eradicate and control their presence. Among other means of population control, the use of long-acting drugs for chemically induced infertility could be a promising tool to prevent the reproduction of these animals. Efficacy of single and double intramuscular deslorelin acetate implants was investigated during a one-season follow-up: plasmatic sexual hormones concentration and morphometric evaluation of ovarian activity by computed tomography were performed about every 30 days to detect the differences between the control group (no implant), single-implant group, and double-implant group. Results show no inhibition of reproductive activity for the ongoing reproductive season, but suggest possible infertility starting from the following season.The use of long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to suppress fertility has been poorly investigated in reptiles, and the few available studies show inconsistent results. The efficacy of single and double intramuscular 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate implants in captive pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) was investigated, with 20 animals divided into three groups: a single-implant group (6 animals), a double-implant group (6 animals), and a control group (no implant). During one reproductive season (March to October), plasmatic concentration of sexual hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) and ovarian morphometric activity via computed tomography were monitored about every 30 days. A significative decrease in the number of phase II ovarian follicles was detected in the double-implant group compared with the control group, but no significant difference was noted in the number of phase III and phase IV follicles, egg production, and plasmatic concentration of sexual hormones. Results show that neither a single nor a double deslorelin acetate implant can successfully inhibit reproduction in female pond sliders during the ongoing season, but the lower number of phase II follicles in the double-implant group can possibly be associated with reduced fertility in the following seasons.
Highlights
American pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) are among the most common pet turtles all over the world since the 1970s, but as a consequence of their frequent release in the wild, they are considered invasive alien species in many countries
Each animal was randomly assigned to group 1, 2 or 3 (6 animals each): animals assigned to group 2 received a single 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate (DA) implant (Suprelorin 4.7 mg, Virbac Italia, Milano, Italy) in the right pectoral muscle; animals assigned to group 3 received a double 4.7 mg DA implant in the right and left pectoral muscle
Neither single nor double deslorelin acetate implant was successful in suppressing gonadal activity and preventing reproduction in adult female pond sliders during a oneseason follow-up
Summary
American pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) are among the most common pet turtles all over the world since the 1970s, but as a consequence of their frequent release in the wild, they are considered invasive alien species in many countries. Possible risks for domestic animals and human health [12,13,14] For these reasons, T. scripta is listed among the 100 most invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) [15], and its breeding and commerce have been recently prohibited inside the European Union, with Regulations (EU) 1143/2014 and 1141/2016, leading to the necessity for means of population control. Its mechanism of action consists in a powerful stimulation of the pituitary gland to produce gonadotropins (flare-up phase) and consequent long-term downregulation of pituitary receptors for endogenous GnRH, leading to temporary suppression of fertility [16,17,18] It is formulated as a controlled-released implant for subcutaneous administration in dogs and ferrets and is commercially available as 4.7 and 9.4 mg implants
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