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Preliminary evaluation of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception for behavioral effects in feral horses (Equus caballus).
Abstract: Successful management of captive populations of wild animals requires effective control of reproduction. Contraception is one tool for controlling reproduction of animals in zoos; however, the options available to the animal manager are limited. Contraceptives vary in efficacy, reversibility, and side effects, and thus may not be suitable for widespread use. One consideration when selecting a contraceptive is its potential for side effects on behavior, especially given the fact that reproduction plays such a prominent role in the biology of any species. To date, there have been few evaluations of contraceptives for behavioral effects, and those that have been conducted have focused on hormone-based contraceptives. This study sought to evaluate a novel method of population control, immunocontraception, for behavioral effects in a population of feral horses. Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception prevents fertilization of ova and does not alter normal hormone secretion patterns. It therefore should leave the animal behaviorally intact in terms of reproductive behavior. The study examined the behavior of 43 sexually mature mares on Assateague Island during the 1997 breeding season and, with help from Earthwatch volunteers, collected observations over a 3-month period. The study found no significant differences between treated and untreated mares in general activity budget, aggression given or received, and spatial relationships relative to the stallion. These preliminary findings indicate that PZP contraception seems to have no acute behavioral effects on the behavior of individuals. The study findings also suggest that PZP could be a desirable and effective management tool for captive species in which social behavior plays an integral role in group dynamics. Analyses of group level effects and population level effects are continuing.
Publication Date: 2005-12-21 PubMed ID: 16363936DOI: 10.1207/s15327604jaws0204_6Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article evaluates the effects of a birth control method known as Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception on the behaviour of wild horses. The preliminary findings suggest that this method does not alter the behaviours or social structures of the horses and may be beneficial in managing wild animal populations.
Introduction and Objectives
- This research was conducted against the backdrop of the need to control reproduction in captive wild animal populations effectively.
- Contraception is identified as a potential solution, but the available methods pose limitations due to their possible side effects, variability in efficacy, and lack of reversibility.
- Given the crucial role of reproductive behaviour in animals, the study sought to assess the possible side effects of a new contraception method on the behaviours of feral horses.
- The new method, Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception, has the advantage of preventing fertilisation while not affecting typical hormone secretions.
Methods
- The study was performed during the 1997 breeding season and spanned over a 3-month period.
- The researchers observed 43 sexually mature mares on Assateague Island.
- They recorded observations concerning the general activity budget, level of aggression given or received, and spatial relationships relative to stallions amongst other behavioural aspects.
- The observations were assisted by Earthwatch volunteers.
Findings
- There were no significant differences identified between treated and untreated mares in terms of the behavioural factors observed.
- Hence, it was inferred that PZP immunocontraception does not have acute effects on individual behaviours in feral horses.
- The observations suggest that this contraception method could be an effective tool for managing captive species where social behaviour is key to group dynamics.
- Further analyses of group and population level effects are ongoing.
Cite This Article
APA
Powell DM.
(2005).
Preliminary evaluation of porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception for behavioral effects in feral horses (Equus caballus).
J Appl Anim Welf Sci, 2(4), 321-335.
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327604jaws0204_6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Zoological Research, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 20008, USA. dpowell@nzp.si.edu
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Górecka-Bruzda A, Jaworska J, Stanley CR. The Social and Reproductive Challenges Faced by Free-Roaming Horse (Equus caballus) Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 24;13(7).
- Kuninaga N, Asano M, Matsuyama R, Minemoto T, Mori T, Suzuki M. Serological and histological evaluation of species-specific immunocontraceptive vaccine antigens based on zona pellucida 3 in the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). J Vet Med Sci 2019 Feb 28;81(2):328-337.
- Baker DL, Powers JG, Ransom JI, McCann BE, Oehler MW, Bruemmer JE, Galloway NL, Eckery DC, Nett TM. Reimmunization increases contraceptive effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) in free-ranging horses (Equus caballus): Limitations and side effects. PLoS One 2018;13(7):e0201570.
- Duncan CL, King JL, Stapp P. Effects of prolonged immunocontraception on the breeding behavior of American bison. J Mammal 2017 Oct 3;98(5):1272-1287.
- Hampton JO, Hyndman TH, Barnes A, Collins T. Is Wildlife Fertility Control Always Humane?. Animals (Basel) 2015 Oct 21;5(4):1047-71.
- Nuñez CM, Adelman JS, Rubenstein DI. Immunocontraception in wild horses (Equus caballus) extends reproductive cycling beyond the normal breeding season. PLoS One 2010 Oct 26;5(10):e13635.
- French H, Segabinazzi L, Middlebrooks B, Peterson E, Schulman M, Roth R, Crampton M, Conan A, Marchi S, Gilbert T, Knobel D, Bertschinger H. Efficacy and Safety of Native and Recombinant Zona Pellucida Immunocontraceptive Vaccines Formulated with Non-Freund's Adjuvants in Donkeys. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;10(12).
- Nuñez CMV, Adelman JS, Carr HA, Alvarez CM, Rubenstein DI. Lingering effects of contraception management on feral mare (Equus caballus) fertility and social behavior. Conserv Physiol 2017;5(1):cox018.
- King SRB, Schoenecker KA, Fike JA, Oyler-McCance SJ. Long-term persistence of horse fecal DNA in the environment makes equids particularly good candidates for noninvasive sampling. Ecol Evol 2018 Apr;8(8):4053-4064.
- Ransom JI, Powers JG, Thompson Hobbs N, Baker DL. Ecological feedbacks can reduce population-level efficacy of wildlife fertility control. J Appl Ecol 2014 Feb;51(1):259-269.
- Druce HC, Mackey RL, Slotow R. How immunocontraception can contribute to elephant management in small, enclosed reserves: Munyawana population as a case study. PLoS One 2011;6(12):e27952.
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