Deslorelin

Description

Deslorelin is a synthetic hormone that stimulates the release of the pituitary hormones in the mare that cause ovulation from mature ovarian follicles. It's use permits the mare to be bred at an optimal time for conception with a higher rate of pregnancy.

It is manufactured as an implant that releases the drug continually for about 72 hours. It is also available in injectable form that allows between 16 to 21 hours of activity.

Usage

Deslorelin is used to stimulate hormones which facilitate the breeding of mares at an optimal time, leading to a higher rate of successful pregnancy.

Deslorelin is regularly used in non-pregnant broodmares for the management of their heat cycle.

Dosage and Administration

Side Effects

Injection sites may suffer local swelling, heat, and pain that usually responds readily to hot compresses and NSAIDs.

Precautions

Because deslorelin may prolong the inter-estrous interval for some mares that do not get pregnant on that cycle, some veterinarians remove the implant after ovulation in order to decrease the chance of this happening.

Deslorelin is FDA approved for use in horses and is a prescription drug. U. S. federal law restricts the use of the drug by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian.

Commonly, no use for deslorelin exists with competition horses. It would be forbidden in any drug-free competition. Check with the proper regulatory group.

Interactions

No drug interactions are noted in drug literature.

Overdose

Accidental overdose by multiple injections could increase the possibility of a prolonged inter-estrous interval if the mare does not become pregnant.