Immunocontraception of captive exotic species: V. Prolonged antibody titers in Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) and domestic goats (Capra hircus) immunized with porcine zona pellucida.
Native porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception has been used to inhibit fertility in more than 80 species of ungulates, although the duration of contraception efficacy varies among species in both Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla. This study examined anti-PZP antibody titers in Dall sheep and domestic goats at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and also Himalayan tahr and Armenian Mouflon sheep at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and, for comparison, Altai wapiti, lowland wisent, Javan banteng, and southern pudu at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, all were given a primer dose and booster dose of PZP. Of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park animals, the 4 comparison species demonstrated the typical 1-yr pattern of anti-PZP antibodies, whereas the Armenian sheep and Himalayan tahr showed prolonged (2-3 yr) antibody responses after a single primer and booster dose. The Dall sheep and domestic goats had significantly longer durations of antibody titers (3 yr) from a single year's treatment (primer plus booster). Analysis of the data indicates that Armenian sheep, Himalayan tahr, Dall sheep, and domestic goats have prolonged responses, and are more sensitive to PZP in that they produce a protracted antibody response.
Science and Conservation Center, Billings, Montana 59106, USA.
Robin O
RO
Lyda
Science and Conservation Center, Billings, Montana 59106, USA.
Kimberly M
KM
Frank
Milwaukee County Zoo,Wisconsin 53226, USA.
Roberta
R
Wallace
San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, California 92027, USA.
Nadine
N
Lamberski
Science and Conservation Center, Billings, Montana 59106, USA.
Jay F
JF
Kirkpatrick
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D011155:Population Control; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic