Cabergoline versus Bromocriptine for oestrus induction in female dogs
Authors: Belala Rédha , Kebbal Seddik , Kaidi Rachid , Mimoune Nora 
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to evaluate two protocolsof oestrus induction, using different anti-prolac-tin dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocrip-tine) in domestic bitches. For this purpose, 16females previously followed were divided intotwo experimental groups: Group A, bromocrip-tine induction group (n=8; 0.05 mg/kg/day/oral-ly) and group B, cabergoline treatment group(n=8; 0.005 mg/kg/day/orally). Comparison ofthe effects of the two substances included severalparameters (oestrus induction, pregnancy, andwhelping rates, litter size, treatment duration,shortening of inter-oestrus interval, and effecton duration of the inter-oestrus interval follow-ing the induced cycle). Cabergoline was moreefficient than bromocriptine with induction,pregnancy and whelping rates of 87.5% versus25%, respectively (P&lt;0.05). The mean duration ofcabergoline treatment was 24.43 ± 7.77 days witha range from 16.66 to 32.20 days, as opposed toa duration of 34.50 ± 6.86 days and range from27.64 to 41.36 days for bromocriptine. Moreover,cabergoline reduced the inter-oestrus intervalin normal cycled bitches by a mean duration of43.40 ± 14.30 days and a range from 29.10 to 57.70days, while no significant shortening of this in-terval was observed with bromocriptine. For lit-ter size, no significant difference was observedbetween values before and after induction treat-ments. Neither drug significantly affected theinter-oestrus interval after the induced cycle. Ca-bergoline treatment was therefore more effectiveand safer than bromocriptine for inducing ferThis study aimed to evaluate two protocolsof oestrus induction, using different anti-prolac-tin dopamine agonists (cabergoline, bromocrip-tine) in domestic bitches. For this purpose, 16females previously followed were divided intotwo experimental groups: Group A, bromocrip-tine induction group (n=8; 0.05 mg/kg/day/oral-ly) and group B, cabergoline treatment group(n=8; 0.005 mg/kg/day/orally). Comparison ofthe effects of the two substances included severalparameters (oestrus induction, pregnancy, andwhelping rates, litter size, treatment duration,shortening of inter-oestrus interval, and effecton duration of the inter-oestrus interval follow-ing the induced cycle). Cabergoline was moreefficient than bromocriptine with induction,pregnancy and whelping rates of 87.5% versus25%, respectively (P&lt;0.05). The mean duration ofcabergoline treatment was 24.43 ± 7.77 days witha range from 16.66 to 32.20 days, as opposed toa duration of 34.50 ± 6.86 days and range from27.64 to 41.36 days for bromocriptine. Moreover,cabergoline reduced the inter-oestrus intervalin normal cycled bitches by a mean duration of43.40 ± 14.30 days and a range from 29.10 to 57.70days, while no significant shortening of this in-terval was observed with bromocriptine. For lit-ter size, no significant difference was observedbetween values before and after induction treat-ments. Neither drug significantly affected theinter-oestrus interval after the induced cycle. Ca-bergoline treatment was therefore more effectiveand safer than bromocriptine for inducing fertileoestrus in domestic bitches followed by normalpregnancy, whelping and litter size and also anormal post induction inter-oestrus interval. Italso has an easier administration protocol andfewer side effects. In addition, cabergoline wasmore efficient in inducing oestrus in femaleswith a long inter-oestrus and in those presentingprimary and secondary anoestrus with no extragonadal causes.tileoestrus in domestic bitches followed by normalpregnancy, whelping and litter size and also anormal post induction inter-oestrus interval. Italso has an easier administration protocol andfewer side effects. In addition, cabergoline wasmore efficient in inducing oestrus in femaleswith a long inter-oestrus and in those presentingprimary and secondary anoestrus with no extragonadal causes.