Immunocontraception of Florida Feral Swine with a Single-dose GnRH Vaccine

  1. G. Killian1,
  2. L. Miller2,
  3. J. Rhyan2,
  4. H. Doten3

Article first published online: 30 MAR 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2006.00379.x

Issue

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

Volume 55, Issue 5, pages 378–384, May 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Killian, G., Miller, L., Rhyan, J. and Doten, H. (2006), Immunocontraception of Florida Feral Swine with a Single-dose GnRH Vaccine. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 55: 378–384. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2006.00379.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Almquist Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA;

  2. 2

    National Wildlife Research Center, USDA-APHIS, Ft. Collins, CO;

  3. 3

    USDA-APHIS-VS, Gainesville, FL, USA

*Gary Killian, Almquist Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. E-mail: gkillian@psu.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 30 MAR 2006
  2. Article first published online: 30 MAR 2006
  3. Submitted August 12, 2005; accepted February 7, 2006.

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Keywords:

  • Brucellosis and pseudorabies control;
  • contraceptive vaccine;
  • feral swine;
  • population reduction

Problem

Methods to limit fertility of feral swine are needed to reduce transmission of diseases and agricultural and ecosystem damage.

Method of Study

We evaluated a single-shot GnRH immunocontraceptive vaccine in both male and female feral swine for its effect on fertility and functional status of the reproductive tissues. Captive feral pigs were randomly assigned to receive 1000 or 2000 μg GnRH-KLH vaccine treatments or no treatment.

Results

After 36 weeks, none of the 2000-μg-treated females and only 20% of the 1000-μg-treated females were pregnant. This corresponded to reduced serum progesterone, regressed tissues within the reproductive tract and lack of evidence for follicular development leading to ovulation. Males were less responsive to the vaccine than females, but more responsive to the lower dose of the vaccine than the higher dose.

Conclusions

The single-shot GnRH vaccine is effective in controlling fertility of female feral swine and may be useful for population reduction.

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