REMOTELY DELIVERED PROSTAGLANDIN-F2-ALPHA IMPLANTS TERMINATE PREGNANCY IN WHITE-TAILED DEER

As public pressure increases to manage wildlife populations using nont raditional methods, development of safe and effective reproductive inh ibitors becomes a growing priority. Therefore, we tested a prostagland in F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)) implant for its effectiveness at reducing pregnancy rates in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We trea ted 18 does in Connecticut using a biobullet delivery system and 8 doe s in Indiana using a combination of remote delivery and drug administr ation after capture under a rocket net. PGF(2 alpha) reduced (P< 0.01) the reproductive rate at both sites. None of the deer in Connecticut and 38% of the deer in Indiana were pregnant or produced offspring aft er PGF(2 alpha) treatment. PGF(2 alpha) shows promise as an alternativ e population control technique; it is as effective in reducing fertili ty as contraceptive agents that have been tested. Moreover, PGF(2 alph a) is safe for both treated does and potential consumers, and it can b e effectively delivered using a remote delivery system.