Use of melengestrol acetate in feed for contraception in herds of captive ungulates

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 2003
Authors:
 Bonnie L. Raphael, Penny Kalk, Patrick Thomas, Paul P. Calle, James G. Doherty, Robert A. Cook
Publication/Journal:
 Zoo Biology
Publisher:
 A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services
Keywords:
 , , , ,
ISBN:
 1098-2361
Abstract:

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10096.abs Herds of blackbuck antelope (Antilopa cervicapra) and barasingha (Cervus duvauceli), axis (Cervus axis), sambar (Cervus unicolor), and Formosan sika (Cervus nippon taiwanaus) deer at the Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo (WCS/BZ) were fed melengestrol acetate (MGA) at a concentration of 0.000154% in pelleted feed for various periods of times during 1991–2001. The target dose per animal of MGA was 1–2 mg per day. Contraceptive rates during treatment were 100% for blackbuck antelope and barasingha, sambar, and sika deer, and approximately 93% for axis deer. There were no observed adverse effects from MGA treatment on gestation. Post-treatment reproductive rates were lower than pretreatment rates. Zoo Biol 22:455–463, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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