Fertility control in female eastern grey kangaroos using the GnRH agonist deslorelin. 2. Effects on behaviour

摘要: In recent years fertility control has been proposed as an ethically acceptable alternative to lethal techniques when managing overabundant kangaroo populations. A promising non-steroidal, non-immunological approach contraception in female kangaroos involves the use of slow-release implants containing gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist deslorelin. The practicality using deslorelin a management option is dependant on its effective inhibition reproduction without negative physical or behavioural side-effects. This study investigated effects eastern grey kangaroos. Treatment had no detectable crepuscular activity. Alterations frequency sexual interactions were observed deslorelin-treated females, with oestrus induced ~3 days after combined removal pouch young and administration. Copulation was during this early oestrous period, but conception not achieved any treated females. Control females gave birth within 69.6 ± 10.4 (mean s.e.m., n = 9) placebo implant first births animals Days 510, 637 643 treatment. remaining seven bred by end study, period 647 days.