Immunologic responses and adverse reactions to Freund's-adjuvanted porcine zona pellucida immunocontraceptives in domestic cats

• Published in: Vaccine Vol. 23; no. 48; pp. 5646 - 5654
• Main Authors: Munson, L., Harrenstien, L.A., Acton, A.E., Graham, P.A., Chassy, L.M., Kirkpatrick, J.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2005; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animal euthanasia; Antigens; Applied microbiology; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Cats; Domestic animals; Freund's adjuvant; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hematology; Histology; Hypercalcemia; Immune response; Immunization; Injection; Lymph nodes; Microbiology; Monkeys & apes; Porcine zona pellucida; Renal function; Sarcoma; Side effects; Studies; Ungulata; Ungulates; Vaccines; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies (general aspects); Hypercalcemia; Freund's adjuvant; Porcine zona pellucida; Hydroelectrolytic balance disorder; Calcium; Toxicity; Inorganic element; Metabolic disorder; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Swine; Immunological adjuvant; Artiodactyla; Veterinary; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.05.044

A vaccine of native PZP with Freund's adjuvant has been widely used in zoo and wild ungulates, but safety in felids has not been evaluated. General health, immune response, and ovarian histology were assessed in five domestic cats vaccinated with PZP-Freund's and five cats given Freund's adjuvant alone. Peak antibody titers occurred 3 weeks after the third vaccination, and no ovarian lesions were present 6 months after vaccination. Seven cats developed extensive granulomatous reactions at injection sites, lymph nodes, and multiple visceral organs including lungs and brain. Persistent hypercalcemia and compromised renal function occurred in three cats with elevated serum calcitriol of probable macrophage origin. One cat died from an injection site sarcoma. Because of these severe adverse reactions, Freund's adjuvant is contraindicated in cats, and other adjuvants for PZP vaccines should be tested in cats for adverse reactions before use.