Litter size response to oestrous induction with deslorelin (Ovuplant®) in dogs.

Four German Shorthair Pointer bitches each produced from two to five (total of 14) purebred litters in response to natural matings to either natural oestrus (n = 8) or oestrus induced by Ovuplant(®), a sustained-release implant containing 2.1 mg deslorelin (n = 6). All bitches initially produced litters from natural oestrous matings prior to producing litters from induced oestrus, and two of the bitches also produced natural litters subsequent to their Ovuplant(®) litters. Mean litter size was lower for Ovuplant(®) litters (5.4 vs 8.6 puppies; p < 0.001) and within each bitch every induced litter was smaller than any of her natural litters.