WILDLIFE CONTRACEPTION: TARGETING THE OOCYTE

Authors

• Richard E. Mauldin, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USAFollow
• Lowell A. Miller, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USAFollow

Date of this Version

August 2007

Comments

Published in: Witmer, G. W., W. C. Pitt, and K. A. Fagerstone, editors. 2007. Managing vertebrate invasive species: proceedings of an international symposium. USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Also available online at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/symposia/invasive_symposium/nwrc_TOC_index.shtml

Abstract

The USDA’s National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) has successfully researched and developed a number of chemical and immunologically-based wildlife contraceptives. Diazacon™ interferes with cholesterol metabolism and disrupts steroidogenesis, while nicarbazin (registered as OvoControl-P® and OvoControl-G®) disrupts the structure of the vitelline membrane of bird eggs. Immunologically-based agents act to stimulate targeted antibody production. GonaCon™ causes the host’s immune system to bind gonadotropin releasing hormone, preventing ovulation, while SpayVac™ prevents fertilization of the postovulatory oocyte. This kind of target specificity can be highly advantageous. A number of oocyte-only control contraceptive strategies are currently being researched at the NWRC. 4-Vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) is an industrial chemical which is specifically ovotoxic, depleting the ovarian oocyte pool with repeated exposure. Research into VCD efficacy as well as the comparability of a similar diepoxide, ERL 4221, in rats and pigs is in progress. Immunological inhibition of recently discovered oocyte-secreted proteins which regulate follicular development in mammals is also of interest. Two such proteins, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenic protein 15 (BMP15), are highly specific targets for the suppression or elimination of folliculogenesis. These oocyte-specific strategies may offer new, effective alternatives for wildlife contraception.