LESSER AND GREAT APES

GIBBON

Recommendations

1. MGA implant (F)
2. Birth-Control Pills (F) – there are some reports that commercially available birth control pills are effective, but dosage has not been well established; whole, half and even quartered pills have been given. Thus, efficacy is not certain and needs further investigation.
3. Depo-Provera® (F) injection
4. GnRH Agonists (F or M) - Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists are considered safe, but dosages, duration of efficacy and reversibility have not been well established.
   • Suprelorin® (deslorelin) Implants
   • Lupron® Depot Injections

ORANGUTAN, CHIMPANZEE AND GORILLA

Recommendations

1. MGA implant (F)
2. Birth Control Pills (for females that reliably take medicated treats) (F)
3. Depo-Provera® (F) Injection
4. GnRH Agonists (F or M) - Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists are considered the safest reversible contraceptives, but dosages and duration of efficacy are not well established for all species.
   • Suprelorin® (deslorelin) Implants
   • Lupron® Depot Injection

Research and Monitoring

1. Surveillance for deleterious effects
   • Contraception Annual Survey
   • Tissue Submission Form - Pathology
   • Adverse Reactions Report
2. GnRH Agonists (F or M) – Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists are considered safe, but dosages, duration of efficacy and reversibility have not been well established.

Cautions

(1) Chimpanzee sexual swelling: available data show that females exhibit partial to normal swellings on birth-control pills, and partial to no swellings on MGA, with differences likely due to relative doses or pill regimen that includes a placebo week.

(2) Combination birth control pills are NOT recommended during the first year of lactation because the estrogen can suppress milk production.

(3) Documented birth control pill failures are probably due to failure to swallow

THE USE OF ANY CONTRACEPTIVE IN NON-DOMESTIC ANIMALS IS CONSIDERED EXPERIMENTAL

(M=MALE-DIRECTED, F=FEMALE-DIRECTED METHOD)