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Vet Pathol 39:419-427 (2002)
© 2002 American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Endometrial Hyperplasia and Mineralization in Zoo Felids Treated with Melengestrol Acetate Contraceptives

L. Munson, I. A. Gardner, R. J. Mason, L. M. Chassy and U. S. Seal

Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology (LM) and Medicine and Epidemiology (IAG), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA; Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (RJM, 1 LMC); and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley, MN (USS)

Melengestrol acetate (MGA) contraceptives are widely used in zoo felids to regulate fertility and may have deleterious effects on endometrial health. To determine whether MGA exposure was associated with endometrial disease, the genital tracts of 212 zoo felids (99 MGA treated and 113 control) representing 23 species were evaluated. Adenomatous and cystic hyperplasia were prevalent in both MGA-treated (85%) and control (61%) groups, and the risk of developing these lesions increased with age. Treatment with MGA further increased the risk of developing advanced hyperplasia regardless of dose, and treatment for >72 months significantly elevated that risk, whereas parous animals had a lower risk. Endometrial polyps, fibrosis, adenomyosis, and hydrometra occurred in both MGA-treated and control animals. MGA treatment was associated with an increased risk of hydrometra and mineralization but not of adenomyosis, polyps, or fibrosis after adjusting for advanced hyperplasia. Acute or chronic endometritis were associated with advanced hyperplasia but not with MGA treatment. These results indicate that proliferative and inflammatory endometrial lesions are common spontaneous diseases in zoo cats, and MGA contraceptives increase the risk of some diseases. The association of MGA with endometrial lesions that could impair fertility should be considered when using this contraceptive in genetically valuable felids.

Key words: Adenomyosis; contraceptive; endometrial hyperplasia; endometrial polyp; endometritis; felids; melengesterol acetate; mineralization; progestin; pyometra.

Request reprints from Dr. L. Munson, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, 1126 Haring Hall, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 (USA).




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L. J. Lowenstine and R. J. Montali
Historical Perspective and Future Directions in Training of Veterinary Pathologists with an Emphasis on Zoo and Wildlife Species
J Vet Med Educ, January 1, 2006; 33(3): 338 - 345.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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