Determination of Efficacy of Single and Double 4.7 mg Deslorelin Acetate Implant on the Reproductive Activity of Female Pond Sliders (

摘要

North 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.