What is Suprelorin® and How does it Work?:Suprelorin® is a sustained release biocompatible implant that contains the active ingredient deslorelin (gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist).

• Cylindrical implant – similar size to a microchip
• Presented in a pre-loaded implanter with actuator supplied
• Implant is placed subcutaneously between the shoulder blades – no anaesthetic required
• Deslorelin is released from the implant (proprietary lipid mixture) over a well defined profile

Due to the prolonged release of deslorelin, GnRH receptors within the pituitary gland are desensitised. Consequently the production and release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) are impaired. No FSH and LH means no testosterone and this means no sperm.

Uses for suprelorin®:
Fertility Control:Suprelorin® will provide temporary sterilisation for at least six months; the implant can be repeated safety to maintain the effect. A twelve month implant is to be launched in the future. Suprelorin® is temporary and therefore can be used in specific situations where permanent desexing is not wanted, for example;

• Allowing temporary desexing before breeding,
• Suppresses specific males over a breeding season,
• Enabling dog owners that so not like the idea of anaesthetic or surgery to desex their dogs.

Trials of up to five consecutive treatments of this product over three years have shown that fertility returns when treatment ends.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that causes enlargement of the prostate gland. BPH is common in older dogs that have not been desexed. Signs of BPH to look for include:

• Blood in the urine and the ejaculate
• Straining while defaecating
• Constipation
• Discharge from the penis

One way to treat BPH is castration, but this can be problematic with older dogs that are often not good candidates for general anaesthetic. Suprelorin® provides a non-surgical alternative that only needs to be administered every 6 months (12 monthly in future).

Testosterone Behavioural Problems:

Certain behavioural problems are driven by testosterone, namely roaming, inter-dog aggression and certain sexual behaviours. Castration may not solve 100% of cases. Suprelorin® can be used as a ‘road-test’ for that response that would be seen without undergoing permanent surgery. If a favourable response is seen castration can be carried out or Suprelorin® can be continued.

Future Indications:

• Use in females for fertility control
• Use in hormone responsive incontinence
• Use in other species (population control) – ongoing

For more information and trial data, visit the Peptech website.