Use of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine as a contraceptive agent in free-ranging tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes).
The potential for the application of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception in wildlife population management has been tested over a 15 year period and promises to provide a useful wildlife management tool. These studies have provided evidence indicating that the use of PZP immunocontraception in wildlife: (i) is effective at both the physiological and population level (Liu et al., 1989; Kirkpatrick et al., 1996; Turner et al., this supplement); (ii) is deliverable by remote means (Kirkpatrick et al., 1990; Shideler, 2000); (iii) is safe in pregnant animals (Kirkpatrick and Turner, this supplement); (iv) is reversible (Kirkpatrick et al., 1991; Kirkpatrick and Turner, this supplement); (v) results in no long-term debilitating health problems (Kirkpatrick et al., 1995; Turner and Kirkpatrick, this supplement); (vi) has no implications for passage through the food chain (Harlow and Lane, 1988); and (vii) is reasonably inexpensive (J. F. Kirkpatrick, personal communication). This report presents the results of a 5 year study in tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes), 3 years of which were on the application of PZP immunocontraception to an expanding elk population living in a wilderness area of Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, CA, where hunting is not allowed and culling is not publicly acceptable.
Shideler
S E
SE
seshideler@ucdavis.edu
Stoops
M A
MA
Gee
N A
NA
Howell
J A
JA
Lasley
B L
BL
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002140:California; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic / Q000662:veterinary*; D003670:Deer; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011155:Population Control; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013552:Swine; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
D000941:Antigens; D004527:Egg Proteins; D004967:Estrogens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins; D011374:Progesterone