U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

 

Date of this Version

2008

Comments

Published in American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 60 (2008), pp. 214–223. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0897.2008.00616.x

Abstract

Problem: An effective, single-injection, multi-year, GnRH contraceptive agent is needed to control reproduction in overabundant white-tailed deer populations.

Method of study: Two GnRH conjugates, GonaConTM (GnRH–KLH) and GonaCon-BTM (GnRH–blue protein), were prepared in emulsion form as one-injection and two-injection immunocontraceptive vaccine formulations. In addition, the GnRH–KLH protein conjugate was lyophilized and suspended in AdjuVacTM adjuvant to produce a fifth vaccine formulation. Each formulation was administered to a group of five captive adult female white-tailed deer. Reproductive performance of treated female deer was monitored for 5 years to determine the comparative efficacy of the various treatments.

Results: The longevity of the contraceptive response (2–5 years) was strongly influenced by the design of the conjugate antigen, the adjuvant used, and the delivery form of the vaccine.

Conclusion: One-injection and two-injection formulations of GonaConTM and Gona- Con-BTM produced multi-year contraception in adult female white-tailed deer. GonaCon-BTM provided a longer lasting contraceptive effect.

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