Microencapsulated Diethylstilbestrol as an Oral Contraceptive in White-Tailed Deer
Matschke GH. 1977. Microencapsulated Diethylstilbestrol as an Oral Contraceptive in White-Tailed Deer. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 41(1):87-91
In this study the antifertility effects of a microencapsulated formulation containing 83 percent diethylstilbestrol (DES) offered in feed to female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were evaluated. In a switchback acceptance test with 5 concentrations, 1,000 mg DES in 0.908 kg of feed resulted in the highest mean DES intake and was used in 2 tests during the breeding season. DES was fed on the 17th day postcoltum in Test II, and DES was fed every 30 days during the breeding season in Test III. Initial DES consumption averaged 672 and 496 mg for the 17- and 30-day treated does, respectively, but declined at later feedings. In the 17-day test, pregnancy was interrupted in four out of five treated does after the first DES feeding. These 4 rebred within 2 weeks and pregnancy was again interrupted in 2 does at second feeding. At the third feeding there was poor acceptance of DES and no effect on pregnancy. Necropsy of 17- and 30-day does during January revealed all but 1 doe was pregnant, and presumably would have borne live young. Because of progressively poor acceptance, the need for high doses, and the likelihood of prompt rebreeding after abortion, DES at these two feeding regimes is not useful in population control of white-tailed deer.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Matschke, George
- Units
- MACA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Contraception, Diethylstilbestrol, Females, White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)