Ian Parsons, [07 May 2024 at 13:01:03]: The following is a query sent by a client. A 12 year old captive lioness that had 2 doses of Suprelorin many years ago and is still intact. She has never bred. 2 years ago, she developed the first signs of a mane. She shows no signs of aggression or other masculine qualities. My first thought is that there could be an ovarian cyst/tumour and that the obvious next step is a spay. Opinions welcome! HO Reuter, [07 May 2024 at 13:58:05 (07 May 2024 at 13:58:44)]: Hi Ian, I have no experience with this, but feel inclined to comment anyway. I agree that spaying is probably a good option. Richard Burroughs, [7 May 2024] Hi Ian. This feature has been described by Emily Mitchell and Peter Caldwell. They presented on this at the recent WVA congress in CT. It’s the Suprelorin implant. Maybe Peter can comment further. Chris Perkins, [07 May 2024 at 16:14:08]: Was this confirmed? When presented in 2023, it seemed like it was just a suspicion? Richard Burroughs, 7 May 2024 Yes, more cases have been seen. This has been confirmed by history and histopathology lesions. The ovarian follicles change into Sertoli cells. The condition does not seem to regress if the implants are removed. Ovariectomy was the final intervention, and the male features regressed. Peter Caldwell, 7 May 2024 Hi Ian, it is called ovarian transdifferentiation. Please read article and if you have any questions, you are welcome to phone or email me. If you spay the lioness, then she loses her mane completely. You need to do a full bilateral ovariohysterectomy. Ian Parsons, [13 May 2024 at 13:13:47]: Thanks for this and all other responses. Much appreciated.
