The major issue of stray cat populations may have have found a new way to control rising population numbers. Many think of spaying and neutering to help control rising numbers which is effective however time consuming, with a new form of reproduction control more cats can be effected in a faster time.
In a study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital's Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, a birth control injection for female cats has been created. As mentioned spaying and neutering is a great way to help control populations however those are surgeries which take time and materials. It is estimated that there is 600 million domesticated cats worldwide and within that number only about 25% are household pets.
A new approach to cat population control is a gene therapy for female cats. This study consisted of 9 female cats. Six of these cats were injected with hormone called anti-Müllerian hormone also known AMH. This hormone prevents ovulation by curtailing the growth process of ovarian follicles. For the next 2 years these cats were observed. The 3 cats that did not receive the injection became pregnant in this time period, the 6 cats that received the AMH injection did not become pregnant. This studied proved 100% effectiveness.
This type of hormone injection/ birth control has been done in mice and rats and showed similar results. No adverse reactions or side effects were noticed during this study. The stray cat epidemic is a major issue not only for the quality of life for these cats but for the ecosystems they infiltrate and damage. Over 3 million cats are placed in shelters in America alone in a year. This strain the shelter funds and materials. Most do not have the ability to care for such large intakes. Utilizing this injection can help control and possibly bring down these population numbers.
The timeframe for when this injection can be utilized in standard practice is unsure at time time.
I found this study to be fantastic. I myself work for a rescue agency out of new jersey where we help foster, care for, and adopt out dog and cats. I can tell you cat populations are out of control. In one season as well call it, typically in the spring I myself can treat and take in over 30 kittens in a few months span. This does not include our other fosters who take in just as much. And most of these cats/kittens are not in good health as many have eye infections or upper respiratory infections. Spaying and neutering is essential but it is a surgical procedure so it takes time especially for females it is a more invasive surgery for them and there recovery takes longer. Having a birth control injection could be a major game changer, not only controlling populations at a faster rate but also improving the quality of life for these cats who are born into this environment and are just trying to survive.
Links:
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-06-06/injected-birth-control-could-be-game-changer-to-curb-stray-cat-populations
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/how-many-stray-and-feral-cats-are-there-in-the-us/#:~:text=There%20are%2060%E2%80%93100%20million,cats%20in%20the%20United%20States.&text=The%20general%20understanding%20among%20many,around%2060%E2%80%93100%20million%20cats.
The study's results are outstanding, as it shows 100% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy among the treated cats over a two-year period. This creative method will revolutionize how we deal with the epidemic of stray cats, which will be more effective than being spayed or other procedures. It'll be great to know that soon, the number of cats living on the street will decline if this AMH injection becomes standard.
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