Surgical Technique for Tubal Ligation in White‐tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus)

Abstract

Surgical tubal ligation was used to sterilize urban free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) as a methodology of a larger study investigating the influences of intact, sterile females on population dynamics and behavior. Deer were either trapped in clover traps (n = 55) and induced with an i.m. injection of xylazine and tiletamine/zolazepam or induced by a similar protocol by dart (n = 12), then intubated and maintained on isoflurane in oxygen. Over 3 yr, individual female deer (n = 103) were captured in Highland Park, Illinois, with a subset of females sterilized using tubal ligation by ventral laparotomy (n = 63). Other sterilization procedures included tubal transection by ventral (n = 1) or right lateral (n = 2) laparoscopy and ovariohysterectomy by ventral laparotomy (n = 1). One mortality (1/ 67, 1.5%) of a doe with an advanced pregnancy was attributed to a lengthy right lateral laparoscopic surgery that was converted to a right lateral laparotomy. The initial surgical modality of laparoscopy was altered in favor of a ventral laparotomy for simplification of the project and improved surgical access in late-term gravid does. Laparotomy techniques included oviductal ligation and transection (n = 14), application of an oviductal mechanical clip (n = 9), ligation and partial salpingectomy (n = 40), and ovariohysterectomy (n = 1). As of 2 yr poststerilization, no surgical does were observed with fawns, indicating that these procedures provide sterilization with low mortality in urban white-tailed deer.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Cryptorchidectomy in an Adult Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

“…While cryptorchid testes have been reported in wild reindeer [13], the authors are unaware of any reports of laparoscopy being used for cryptorchidectomy in any deer species, or of reports of previous laparoscopic approaches in reindeer. Laparoscopic oocyte aspiration, artificial insemination, and tubal ligation have been performed in female white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus [14, 15], sika deer Cervus nippon nippon [16], red deer Cervus elaphus [17], and fallow deer Dama dama [18]. …”

Effects of Maternal Status on the Movement and Mortality of Sterilized Female White-Tailed Deer

“…We obtained data on the age and pregnancy status of 66 female deer that were captured, surgically sterilized, radiocollared, and released by MacLean et al (2006) in the study area. Surgeries were performed between 23 January and 10 April 2002 (18 surgeries), between 24 October 2002and 25 March 2003(28 surgeries), and between 28 October 2003and 25 March 2004.…”

“…Population control with translocation is more costly than with lethal culling and has been implicated in the spread of wildlife and livestock disease (Davidson et al 1996, Beringer et al 2002, Joly et al 2003, Palmer 2007. As a result, the potential of temporary or permanent female sterilization to control populations is drawing increasing attention (e.g., MacLean et al 2006, Merrill et al 2006, Lauber and Knuth 2007.…”

“…From 2002 to 2005, the city of Highland Park, Illinois, USA, conducted an in situ experiment to assess the potential of surgical sterilization by tubal ligation of females to control the white-tailed deer population (MacLean et al 2006). We analyzed data collected by MacLean et al (2006) and Skinner (2007) during the Highland Park study.…”

“…From 2002 to 2005, the city of Highland Park, Illinois, USA, conducted an in situ experiment to assess the potential of surgical sterilization by tubal ligation of females to control the white-tailed deer population (MacLean et al 2006). We analyzed data collected by MacLean et al (2006) and Skinner (2007) during the Highland Park study. Our objective was to determine whether non-maternal status imparted by surgical sterilization affected movement and mortality rates of female white-tailed deer and thereby to gain a better understanding of the potential of sterilization programs to control suburban deer populations.…”