Title
Remotely delivered prostaglandin F(2a) implants terminate pregnancy in white-tailed deer
Author(s)
DeNicola A.J., Kesler D.J., Swihart R.K.
Published
1997
Publisher
Wildlife Society Bulletin
Abstract
As public pressure increases to manage wildlife populations using nontraditional methods, development of safe and effective reproductive inhibitors becomes a growing priority. Therefore, we tested a prostaglandin F(2a) (PGF(2a)) implant for its effectiveness at reducing pregnancy rates in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We treated 18 does in Connecticut using a biobullet delivery system and 8 does in Indiana using a combination of remote delivery and drug administration after capture under a rocket net. PGF(2a) reduced (P< 0.01) the reproductive rate at both sites. None of the deer in Connecticut and 38% of the deer in Indiana were pregnant or produced offspring after PGF(2a) treatment. PGF2(2a) shows promise as an alternative population control technique; it is as effective in reducing fertility as contraceptive agents that have been tested. Moreover, PGF(2a) is safe for both treated does and potential consumers, and it can be effectively delivered using a remote delivery system.
Keywords
pest management; pregnancy termination; prostaglandin F(2a); reproductive inhibitor; urban area; white-tailed deer; USA, Connecticut; USA, Indiana; Odocoileus virginianus
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PUB12937