A safe, easily administered long-term contraceptive could be developed as an alternative to castration for adult male dogs, according to Murdoch University PhD graduate Aris Junaidi.

Mr Junaidi, has written a thesis on contraception in male dogs, a method that uses a slow release implant containing the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist deslorelin.

“Deslorelin is a synthetic variation of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone, a hormone-releasing factor that controls reproduction in many species,” said Mr Junaidi.

Co-researcher and former Murdoch academic Dr Peter Williamson said the drug caused a dramatic drop in sex hormone levels within two weeks, halting sperm production within a month in all treated dogs.

“The agent is released through a small, slow release pellet placed under the skin in the neck of the dog,” said Dr Williamson.

The slow release pellet was invented and developed by Sydney-based biotechnology company Peptech Animal Health, who funded the project.

Mr Junaidi said the contraceptive lasted for about a year and was fully reversible with no adverse side effects.

He said the technology had great potential in Indonesia, where uncontrolled breeding of dogs leads to large numbers of strays.

“Unwanted and uncontrolled dogs are a source of ecologic and social problems, including public exposure to zoonotic diseases, dog bites, pollution of park and recreation areas and damage to livestock,” he said.

Mr Junaidi recently returned to Indonesia to his staff position at Gadja Mada University and is writing a book on reproduction in the dog.