How to translate text using browser tools
1 April 2007 Immunocontraception in Wild Horses: One Inoculation Provides Two Years of Infertility
JOHN W. TURNER, IRWIN K. M. LIU, DOUGLAS R. FLANAGAN, ALLEN T. RUTBERG, JAY F. KIRKPATRICK
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Previous studies reported one year of contraception associated with a 1-injection porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine. We have subsequently determined contraceptive effectiveness of a presumptive 1-injection, 2-year-duration PZP vaccine in free-roaming wild horses (Equus caballus) in Nevada, USA. In January 2000, we captured, freeze-branded, treated, and subsequently released 96 adult females that received 1) a primary dose of vaccine emulsion consisting of aqueous PZP and Freund's Complete Adjuvant, and 2) booster doses of PZP and adjuvant in controlled-release polymer pellets. We determined PZP release characteristics of pellets in vitro, prior to field use. We determined reproductive success in treated and untreated females through October 2004 via measurement of estrone sulfate and progesterone metabolites in fresh feces collected from the ground and by twice-annual foal counts. Among treated females, annual reproductive success from 2001 though 2004 sequentially was 5.9%, 14.0%, 32.0%, and 47.5%. Untreated females showed average reproductive success of 53.8 ± 1.3% across this period. This study revealed that: 1) PZP acted as an effective contraceptive for 2 years posttreatment; 2) some residual contraceptive effect remained in year 3; and 3) fertility returned to control levels by year 4 posttreatment. It appears that controlled-release technology can replace both the second (1-month) and annual booster injection of PZP vaccine, thereby decreasing cost and increasing efficiency of use of this vaccine in wild horse management.

JOHN W. TURNER, IRWIN K. M. LIU, DOUGLAS R. FLANAGAN, ALLEN T. RUTBERG, and JAY F. KIRKPATRICK "Immunocontraception in Wild Horses: One Inoculation Provides Two Years of Infertility," Journal of Wildlife Management 71(2), 662-667, (1 April 2007). https://doi.org/10.2193/2005-779
Published: 1 April 2007
JOURNAL ARTICLE
6 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
adjuvant
controlled-release vaccine contraception
Equus caballus,
field study
free-roaming wild horse
pregnancy testing
zona pellucida antigen
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top