Effects of Deslorelin Acetate Implants on Blood Lipids and Lipoproteins in Female Cockatiels

Hugues Beaufrère, DVM, PhD, DACZM, DABVP (Avian), Dip ECZM (Avian)

“Reproductive-associated dyslipidemia is common in female psittacine birds and may lead to other lipid-related disorders such as atherosclerosis and hepatic lipidosis. Deslorelin acetate implants are used as a first line of treatment for dyslipidemia in female birds. However, the lipid-lowering effects of deslorelin have not been characterized. The cockatiel is the ideal species for this research, given the high prevalence of reproductive-associated dyslipidemia and the availability of pharmacodynamic data on deslorelin. Since the response to deslorelin can vary among individuals and may depend on reproductive status, it is crucial to also correlate the observed hypolipidemic effects to plasma concentrations of reproductive hormones.”