A novel non-surgical method to reduce fertility using the rat as a model

Abstract

Overpopulation of pets, livestock, and some species of wildlife is a world-wide problem that
could be addressed by reducing or eliminating fertility. Although surgical sterilization,
immunocontraceptive vaccines, and chemical castrations are available, their limitations include cost,
training, equipment, efficacy, and morbidity. Therefore, there is a need for a novel non-surgical method of
sterilization for control of animal overpopulation. The goal of the present study was to develop a novel
non-surgical sterilization technique employing a lipid-based nanocomplex carrying a cytotoxin, guided to
specific gonadal cells by an antibody against anti-Mullerian hormone receptor type II. An intravenous
injection of the antibody-guided lipid-nanocomplex negatively impacted aspects of reproduction in rats,
including sperm production, estrous cyclicity and testicular and ovarian morphology, without affecting
overall health within a 4-week interval after treatment. These results are promising initial steps toward
developing a novel non-surgical method of sterilization that may change control of pet and wildlife
overpopulation.