Melengestrol acetate implant contraception in addax (Addax Nasomaculatus) and Arabian oryx (Oryx Leucoryx)

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20146.abs Melengestrol acetate (MGA) implants were used for contraception in three addax and three Arabian oryx females housed at the Saint Louis Zoo. Serum estradiol and progesterone or fecal estrogen and progestin analysis and ultrasonography of reproductive tracts were used for monitoring changes before, during, and after MGA treatment. Follicular development and irregular uterine […]

Immunocontraception of captive exotic species

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20060.abs The biological efficacy of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception and the timing of booster inoculations were determined in 24 species of ungulates and five species of non-ungulates across 10 years of treatment and for which no technical problems were identified. The collective contraceptive efficacy for 265 ungulates, 25 bears, and 11 sea lions, […]

Immunocontraception of captive exotic species. III. Contraception and population management of fallow deer (Cervus dama)

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10081.abs Immunocontraception has become an increasingly valuable tool in the population management of captive exotic ungulates. Although porcine zona pellucida vaccine (PZP) was used successfully in other cervids, a previous study with fallow deer (Cervus dama) suggested that the vaccine did not work in this species. In the current study, PZP was tested in […]

Active immunization against gonadotropin-releasing hormone in female white-tailed deer

Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:53.3.CO;2-V The ability of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunization to disrupt estrous cycles in captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was tested. Four does were each injected subcutaneously with 1 mg of a GnRH analog-ovalbumin conjugate, using a diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran solution as the adjuvant. Control deer (n = 4) received ovalbumin alone in DEAE-dextran. The immunization […]

Dose determination and efficacy of remotely delivered norgestomet implants on contraception of white-tailed deer

Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:13.3.CO;2-W Management of overabundant wildlife populations using contraceptives is being considered with increasing frequency in many localities. A wide array of effective contraceptives is needed to meet a variety of management objectives. Therefore, we evaluated the synthetic progestin norgestomet for its efficacy and its minimum effective dose in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We […]

Fertility Control: An Option for Non-Lethal Control of Wild Carnivores?

Three types of fertility control, surgical sterilization, hormonal chemosterilization, and immunosterilization, are reviewed with regard to their potential for controlling problematic populations of carnivores. The fertility control agent and delivery protocol of choice may vary considerably according to: (i) the reason for control; (ii) the degree, urgency and duration of population reduction required; (iii) concerns […]

Behavioral effects of an immunocontraceptive vaccine on eastern fox squirrels

Managing pest species in urban and suburban areas is challenging, and contraception may provide a socially acceptable and effective management option for many species. The immunocontraceptive vaccine, GonaCon, effectively inhibits reproduction in many species of wildlife, but the behavioral effects are not yet well understood. Contraceptive-induced changes in behavior could raise animal welfare concerns and […]