Research Note: Luteinizing Hormone in Intact vs Neutered Cats

ArticleLast Updated August 20191 min read

This study* tested the accuracy of a commercial point-of-care luteinizing hormone (LH) test in differentiating intact versus neutered cats. Spayed or neutered animals typically have higher LH levels than intact animals, as negative feedback from gonadal sex hormones on the pituitary and hypothalamus has been removed. Serum LH was evaluated in intact female (n = 87), spayed female (n = 129), intact male (n = 19), and neutered male (n = 34) cats. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 89.3% and 92.6%, respectively. Overall accuracy was 91.1%, although the LH surge at the onset of estrus may cause false-positive results in intact females. The commercial point-of-care LH test may be a useful adjunct to patient history and physical examination for determining reproductive status in cats.

*Zoetis supplied the Witness LH tests and, at the time of this study, paid the salary of MR Krecic.