Gene Therapy Provides Lasting Contraceptive Solutions for Cats

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have pioneered a gene therapy using anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) to provide long-term contraception for domestic cats, potentially replacing surgical spaying. This groundbreaking study suggests that a single injection of this gene therapy is safe and effective, with no adverse effects observed over a two-year follow-up period. Unlike conventional spaying, which removes a cat's ovaries and uterus, this method raises AMH levels significantly, inhibiting ovarian follicle growth, ovulation, and consequently, pregnancy.

The study, published in Nature Communications, included six female cats treated with two doses of gene therapy, with three control cats. Only the control group became pregnant in mating trials with a male cat. The treatment demonstrated sustained high levels of AMH without impacting crucial hormones like estrogen.

While the findings provide hope for a non-surgical sterilization option, more extensive research is required to validate these results and explore scalability for widespread application. This research, funded by The Michelson Found Animals Foundation, aims to tackle the pressing need for alternative sterilization methods and improve animal welfare globally.

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