Although techniques to induce out-of-season breeding in deer with exogenous
hormones are documented, a successful technique has not been developed for
use with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The efficacy of using
a combined treatment of melatonin, progesterone, and pregnant mare serum g
onadotropin to advance seasonal estrus in captive white-tailed deer was tes
ted. First estrus of 12 treated does (n = 16) occurred at least 57 days soo
ner than did those of 4 non-treated controls (mid-November). Previous estru
s dates were known for 11 does, suggesting that their estrus was advanced b
y 37 to 119 days ((X) over bar = 82 days). At first estrus, 12 does were br
ed to untreated bucks that had velvet-covered or recently polished antlers,
resulting in a conception rate of 75%. Two does conceived when bred at sec
ond or third estrus. Two does failed to conceive when bred at first estrus
and displayed no estrous cycling that year, but conceived out-of-season in
subsequent years. These data document that this technique is useful for ind
ucing successful, out-of-season breeding of captive white-tailed deer. Furt
hermore, we demonstrate that some bucks at our facility have adequate ferti
lity and libido to impregnate does during midsummer. (C) 2000 by Elsevier S
cience Inc.