Out-of-season breeding of captive white-tailed deer.
Although techniques to induce out-of-season breeding in deer with exogenous hormones are documented, a successful technique has not been developed for use with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The efficacy of using a combined treatment of melatonin, progesterone, and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin to advance seasonal estrus in captive white-tailed deer was tested. First estrus of 12 treated does (n = 16) occurred at least 57 days sooner than did those of 4 non-treated controls (mid-November). Previous estrus dates were known for 11 does, suggesting that their estrus was advanced by 37 to 119 days (X = 82 days). At first estrus, 12 does were bred to untreated bucks that had velvet-covered or recently polished antlers, resulting in a conception rate of 75%. Two does conceived when bred at second or third estrus. Two does failed to conceive when bred at first estrus and displayed no estrous cycling that year, but conceived out-of-season in subsequent years. These data document that this technique is useful for inducing successful, out-of-season breeding of captive white-tailed deer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that some bucks at our facility have adequate fertility and libido to impregnate does during midsummer.
Osborn
D A
DA
Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia Athens, 30602, USA.
Gassett
J W
JW
Miller
K V
KV
Lance
W R
WR
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding / Q000379:methods*; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D004338:Drug Combinations; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D011374:Progesterone; D008550:Melatonin