Advancing and Historical Reversible Contraceptive Solutions for Feline Reproductive Control.

Abstract

Medical approaches to reproduction control have traditionally relied on progestins, but these drugs are associated with significant adverse effects in both males and females, including an increased risk of uterine infections, mammary tumours, and metabolic complications. As a result, veterinarians often advocate for strategies such as postponing estrus in females to balance reproductive health and manage population control. In recent decades, advancements in pharmacological interventions have opened new doors. GnRH agonists, which can reversibly suppress reproductive function, have emerged as a safer and more flexible alternative to surgical sterilisation. Similarly, the use of melatonin in female cats has shown promising results in regulating estrus cycles. Other innovative solutions, such as non-surgical sterilisation techniques using immunocontraceptive vaccines, are under active development, offering hope for scalable, humane population control measures. These emerging technologies provide veterinarians with an expanding toolkit to address both clinical and ethical challenges in reproductive management.