JABET
SearchSign In/UpSubmit Manuscript
Home
Special IssuesEditorial BoardAnnouncements
RSS Feed
Original article| Open access | J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther. 2025; 8(3): 420-432|doi: 10.5455/jabet.2025.34

Parenteral administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate in cats: A morphological and histopathological evaluation of ovaries

Abstract

Fertility control measures aim to reduce reproduction and address the issue of overpopulation in pets. Progestins are among the most often utilized drugs for feline contraception, with Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) being one of the most frequently employed progestins. This study aims to observe the effects of a single intramuscular injection of MPA at a dosage of 50 mg per cat on the ovaries of female cats. Twenty adult indigenous female cats were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of MPA for 42 days. The cats were divided into control and treatment groups. Cats in the treatment group received a single 50 mg intramuscular injection of MPA. Both groups had an ovariohysterectomy after 42 days. Behavioral changes in cats following ovariohysterectomy, along with a morphological and histopathological examination of the ovaries, were observed. Mean and standard deviation of ovarian length and width were measured in both the control and treatment groups. Study results showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in ovarian size in the treatment group compared to the control group. The average ovarian length and width were 0.85 ± 0.10 vs 0.72 ± 0.11 cm and 0.60 ± 0.07 vs. 0.51 ± 0.08  cm in the control and treatment groups, respectively. Three out of ten female cats in the treatment group developed follicular cysts, while none in the control group experienced them. Histological slides revealed ovarian atrophy and cessation of folliculogenesis. Therefore, these results suggest that a single 50 mg dose of MPA could be advantageous for controlling cat fertility and tackling the problem of overpopulated pets.

Keywords

References

  • [1]Crowley SL, Cecchetti et al. Our Wild Companions: Domestic cats in the Anthropocene. Trends Ecol Evol. 2020;35:477–483.
  • [2]Little SE. Chapter 40 - Female Reproduction. In: Little SE, editor. The Cat, Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders; 2012, p. 1195–227.
  • [3]Sparkes AH, Rogers K, et al. A questionnaire-based study of gestation, parturition and neonatal mortality in pedigree breeding cats in the UK. J Feline Med Surg. 2006;8:145–157.
  • [4]Griffin B. Prolific Cats: The Estrous Cycle. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2001;23:1049–1056.
  • [5]Goericke‐Pesch S, Wehrend A, et al. Suppression of Fertility in Adult Cats. Reprod Domest Anim. 2014;49:33–40.
  • [6]Romagnoli S. Progestins to control feline reproduction: Historical abuse of high doses and potentially safe use of low doses. J Feline Med Surg. 2015;17:743–752.
  • [7]Reichler I. Gonadectomy in Cats and Dogs: A Review of Risks and Benefits. Reprod Domest Anim. 2009;44:29–35.
  • [8]Sarchahi AA. Effects of three steroidal compounds on oestrus suppression in queens. Iran J Vet Res. 2008;9.
  • [9]Nelson RW, Couto CG. Small Animal Internal Medicine. Mosby; 2003.
  • [10]Vasetska A. Emergency contraception using progestin drugs in domestic cats. Ukr Jour of Vet and Agr Sci. 2020;3:3–6.
  • [11]Romagnoli S. Control of reproduction in dogs and cats: use and misuse of hormones 2006.
  • [12]Kutzler M, Wood A. Non-surgical methods of contraception and sterilization. Theriogenology. 2006;66:514–25..
  • [13]Munson L. Contraception in felids. Theriogenology 2006;66:126–34.
  • [14]Loretti AP, Da Silva Ilha MR, et al. Clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical study of feline mammary fibroepithelial hyperplasia following a single injection of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. J Feline Med Surg. 2005;7:43–52.
  • [15]Romagnoli S, Concannon PW. Clinical use of progestins in bitches and queens: a review. Recent Advances in Small Animal Reproduction International Veterinary Information Service (Www Ivis Org), Ithaca, New York, USA A. 2003;1206:0903.
  • [16]Abdelgalil A. Potential Deleterious Effects Following the First Dose of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate as a Contraceptive in Cats. J Appl Vet Sci. 2023.
  • [17]Engi̇Nler SÖ, Şenünver A. Kedilerde Östrusu Baskılamak İçin Kullanılan Progesteron Hormonu Uygulamalarının Meme Bezi Üzerine Etkileri. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2009.
  • [18]Jacobs TM, Hoppe BR, et al. Mammary adenocarcinomas in three male cats exposed to medroxyprogesterone acetate (1990–2006). J Feline Med Surg. 2010;12:169–74.
  • [19]Plumb DC. Medroxyprogesterone acetate. Veterinary Drug Handbook 5th Ed Stockholm, WI: Pharmavet.
  • [20]Muphung W, Rungsipipat A, et al. Effects of the Anti‐Progestin Aglepristone on the Uterine Tissue of Cats Administered Medroxyprogesterone Acetate. Reprod Domest Anim. 2009;44:204–7.
  • [21]Loretti AP, Ilha MRS, et al. Clinical and pathological study of feline mammary fibroadenomatous change associated with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec. 2004;56:270–4.
  • [22]Ochota M, Nowak M, et al. Mammary Adenocarcinoma after Ten-Year Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Supplementation in an Ovariectomized Cat. Pak Vet J. 2014.
  • [23]Schmidt PM, Chakraborty PK, et al. Ovarian Activity, Circulating Hormones and Sexual Behavior in the Cat. II. Relationships During Pregnancy, Parturition, Lactation and the Postpartum Estrus. Biol Reprod. 1983;28:657–71.
  • [24]Johnson AK. Normal feline reproduction: The queen. J Feline Med Surg. 2022;24:204–11.
  • [25]Gudermuth DF, Newton L, et al. Incidence of spontaneous ovulation in young, group-housed cats based on serum and faecal concentrations of progesterone. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1997;51:177–84.
  • [26]Gatel L, Saunders J. Sotal-advances in ultrasonography of the feline reproductive tract. vol. 8, Copenhagen, Denmark: 2017, p. 235–7.
  • [27]Conze T, Wehrend A. Sonographische Darstellung der physiologischen Ovarien bei der Katze. Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe K: Kleintiere / Heimtiere 2018;45:199–203. https://doi.org/10.15654/TPK-160164.
  • [28]Di Carlo F, Racca S, et al. Effects of long-term administration of high doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate on hormone receptors and target organs in the female rat. J Endocrinol. 1984;103:287–93.
  • [29]Nigar S, Ahmed H, et al. “Effects of Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (Inject-Able Contraceptive) on Diameter of Graffian Follicle (Ovary) of Adult Albino Rats.” PJMHS 2022;16:519–21.
  • [30]Benagiano G, Fraser I. The Depo-Provera debate commentary on the article “Depo-Provera, a critical analysis.” Contraception. 1981;24:493–528.
  • [31]Labhsetwar AP. Mechanism of action of medroxyprogesterone (17 -acetoxy-6 -methyl progesterone) in the rat. Reproduction. 1966;12:445–51.
  • [32]Regan KS, Cline JM, et al. STP Position Paper: Ovarian Follicular Counting in the Assessment of Rodent Reproductive Toxicity. Toxicol Pathol. 2005;33:409–12.
  • [33]Bhowmik T, Mukherjea M. Histological changes in the ovary and uterus of rat after injectable contraceptive therapy. Contraception. 1988;37:529–38.
  • [34]Rodriguez GC, Walmer DK, et al. Effect of Progestin on the Ovarian Epithelium of Macaques: Cancer Prevention Through Apoptosis? J Soc Gynecol Investig. 1998;5:271–6.
  • [35]Benagiano G, Gabelnick H, et al. Long-Acting Hormonal Contraception. Womens Health (Lond Engl) 2015;11:749–757.
  • [36]Mitchell CM, McLemore L, et al. Long-term effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on vaginal microbiota, epithelial thickness and HIV target cells. J Infect Dis. 2014;210:651–5.
  • [37]Hayden DW, Barnes DM, et al. Morphologic Changes in the Mammary Gland of Megestrol Acetate-treated and Untreated Cats: A Retrospective Study. Vet Pathol. 1989;26:104–13.
  • [38]Keskin A, Yilmazbas G, et al. Pathological abnormalities after long-term administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate in a queen. J Fel Med Sur. 2009;11:518–521.
  • [39]Turkington VE, Nixon JC, et al. Effect of a long-acting steroid contraceptive (medroxyprogesterone acetate) on human female subjects. Clinical Chemistry, vol. 17, Amer Assoc Clinical Chemistry 2101 L Street Nw, Suite 202, Washington, DC; 1971, p. 667.

Article Info

Academic Editor

Hasan-Al-Faruque, PhD; University of Utah, USA
Received
23 March, 2025
Accepted
06 August, 2025
Published
20 August, 2025
Article DOI:10.5455/jabet.2025.34

Coresponding author

Md. Ataur Rahman, PhD; Department of Surgery and Radiology, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur- 1706, Bangladesh. E‑mail: ataursra@gau.edu.bd

Cite this article

Labib MTR, Sadi RS, et al. Parenteral administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate in cats: A morphological and histopathological evaluation of ovaries. J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther. 2025; 8(3): 420-432.