The Effect of Immunocontraception on the Behavior and Reproduction of White-Tailed Deer

McShea, William J.; Monfort, Steven L.; Hakim, Salah A.; Kirkpatrick, Jay F.; Liu, Irwin; Turner, John W.; Chassy, Lisa M; Munson, Linda

doi:10.2307/3802615

Cited by 102 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

100

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, if the number of deer at NIST continues to drop as predicted, it is possible that survivorship would improve. Female survivorship might also improve because of the direct effects of the vaccine itself, as demonstrated in wild horses and suggested by improvements in body condition in contraceptive-treated deer at other sites (McShea et al 1997;Kirkpatrick and Turner 2007). We have no data that directly address that question at NIST; however, because vehicle collision risk is unrelated to contraceptive treatment status at NIST, it is unlikely that longevity at NIST will be much affected by contraception .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Population-level effects of immunocontraception in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Rutberg

Naugle

2008

Wildl. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. In North America, dense populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in suburbs, cities and towns have stimulated a search for new population-management tools. Most research on deer contraception has focused on the safety and efficacy of immunocontraceptive vaccines, but few studies have examined population-level effects. We report here results from two long-term studies of population effects of the porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraceptive vaccine, at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, and at Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS), New York, USA. Annual population change at NIST was strongly correlated with population fertility (r P = 0.82, P = 0.001); when population fertility at NIST dropped below 0.40 fawns per female, the population declined. Contraceptive treatments at NIST were associated with a 27% decline in population between 1997 and 2002, and fluctuated thereafter with the effectiveness of contraceptive treatments. In the most intensively treated segment of FIIS, deer population density declined by~58% between 1997 and 2006. These studies demonstrate that, in principle, contraception can significantly reduce population size. Its usefulness as a management tool will depend on vaccine effectiveness, accessibility of deer for treatment, and site-specific birth, death, immigration, and emigration rates.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Population-level effects of immunocontraception in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Rutberg

Naugle

2008

Wildl. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous studies have shown that PZP treatments can lead to increased oestrous cycling during the nonbreeding seasons (McShea et al 1997;Miller et al 2000b;Curtis et al 2002). These side effects can result in offspring born out of season leading to reduced survival (e.g., white-tailed deer, McShea et al 1997).…”

Section: Impacts On Foalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These side effects can result in offspring born out of season leading to reduced survival (e.g., white-tailed deer, McShea et al 1997). While we found two foals born in…”

Section: Impacts On Foalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, a study on PZP showed no difference in the month that foals were born to females where contraception was waning (Kirkpatrick and Turner 2003). Several studies have also reported increased body condition of treated females in wild species (McShea et al 1997, Turner and. While increases to body condition can be desirable, it could impact offspring sex ratios as females that experience increased condition tend to have more sons (Cameron 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most research on side effects has focused on breeding behaviour and body condition of treated females. For example, several studies have shown the contraceptives alter breeding behaviour of females which results in a lengthened breeding season and later offspring birth dates (McShea et al 1997;Heilmann et al 1998;Miller et al 2000b). However, a study on PZP showed no difference in the month that foals were born to females where contraception was waning (Kirkpatrick and Turner 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Multi-year fertility reduction in free-roaming feral horses with single-injection immunocontraceptive formulations

et al. 2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Context. Contraception is increasingly used as a management technique to reduce fertility in wildlife populations, but the feasibility of contraceptive formulations has been limited until recently as they have required multiple treatments to achieve prolonged infertility.Aims. We tested the efficacy and evaluated potential side effects of two contraceptive formulations, a porcine zona pellucida (PZP) formulation, SpayVac®, and a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) formulation GonaCon-B™, in a population of free-roaming feral horses (Equus caballus). Both formulations were developed to provide several years of infertility with one injection. 2Methods. Females were treated in June 2005 with either GonaCon-B™ (n=24), SpayVac® (n=20), adjuvant only (n=22), or received no injection (n=18). Females were monitored for fertility status year round for three years post treatment.Key results. Both contraceptive treatments significantly reduced fertility for three years.Fertility rates for GonaCon-B™ mares were 39%, 42% and 31% respectively and 37%, 50%, and 44% for SpayVac® mares. During the same seasons, 61%, 67% and 76% of control females were fertile. We found no significant effects from contraceptive treatment on the sex ratio of foals, birthing season, or foal survival.Conclusions. These results demonstrate that both vaccines are capable of significantly reducing fertility for several years without boosters.Implications. Contraceptive vaccines examined in this study represent a useful tool for the management of feral horses, due to their being efficacious for three years in the absence of booster immunisations.

show abstract

Hyperabundant Native Species

2023

Wildlife Ethics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Effect of Immunocontraception on the Behavior and Reproduction of White-Tailed Deer

Cited by 102 publications

References 21 publications

Population-level effects of immunocontraception in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Population-level effects of immunocontraception in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Multi-year fertility reduction in free-roaming feral horses with single-injection immunocontraceptive formulations

Hyperabundant Native Species

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About