Durable contraception in the female domestic cat using viral-vectored delivery of a feline anti-Müllerian hormone transgene

Lindsey M. Vansandt, Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn, Philippe Godin, Nicholas Nagykery, Natalie Sicher, Motohiro Kano, Aki Kashiwagi, Maeva Chauvin, Hatice D. Saatcioglu, Julie L. Barnes, Amy G. Miller, Amy K. Thompson, Helen L. Bateman, Elizabeth M. Donelan, Raquel González, Jackie Newsom, Guangping Gao, Patricia K. Donahoe, Dan Wang, William F. Swanson () and David Pépin ()
Additional contact information
Lindsey M. Vansandt: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn: Harvard Medical School
Philippe Godin: Harvard Medical School
Nicholas Nagykery: Harvard Medical School
Natalie Sicher: Harvard Medical School
Motohiro Kano: Harvard Medical School
Aki Kashiwagi: Harvard Medical School
Maeva Chauvin: Harvard Medical School
Hatice D. Saatcioglu: Harvard Medical School
Julie L. Barnes: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Amy G. Miller: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Amy K. Thompson: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Helen L. Bateman: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Elizabeth M. Donelan: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Raquel González: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Jackie Newsom: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Guangping Gao: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Patricia K. Donahoe: Harvard Medical School
Dan Wang: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
William F. Swanson: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
David Pépin: Harvard Medical School

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Eighty percent of the estimated 600 million domestic cats in the world are free-roaming. These cats typically experience suboptimal welfare and inflict high levels of predation on wildlife. Additionally, euthanasia of healthy animals in overpopulated shelters raises ethical considerations. While surgical sterilization is the mainstay of pet population control, there is a need for efficient, safe, and cost-effective permanent contraception alternatives. Herein, we report evidence that a single intramuscular treatment with an adeno-associated viral vector delivering an anti-Müllerian hormone transgene produces long-term contraception in the domestic cat. Treated females are followed for over two years, during which transgene expression, anti-transgene antibodies, and reproductive hormones are monitored. Mating behavior and reproductive success are measured during two mating studies. Here we show that ectopic expression of anti-Müllerian hormone does not impair sex steroids nor estrous cycling, but prevents breeding-induced ovulation, resulting in safe and durable contraception in the female domestic cat.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38721-0

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