Journal article
Deslorelin implants in free-ranging female eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus): Mechanism of action and contraceptive efficacy
ME Wilson, G Coulson, G Shaw, MB Renfree
Wildlife Research | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2013
DOI: 10.1071/WR13050
Abstract
Context Fertility control offers a non-lethal management technique for iconic yet overabundant wildlife. Slow-release hormonal implants containing deslorelin show promise for managing free-ranging populations, particularly in peri-urban reserves, but most studies have been limited to captivity. Aims We investigated the efficacy and mechanism of deslorelin implants in free-ranging female eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) under realistic management conditions. Methods We assigned females to a deslorelin (9.4mg, n≤53) or placebo (n≤56) group at three peri-urban sites in Victoria, Australia, and monitored reproductive success for 3 years by observing young in the pouch. We tested the p..
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Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank Parks Victoria rangers Dave Roberts, Mike Helman, Mick Smith, Brendan Sullivan and Jeremy Tscharke, for facilitating this research at their sites. We also thank Damian Franzmann and Rachel Kane for facilitating research at Anglesea Golf Club. The work was conducted with the assistance of many people, in particular Sarah Garnick and Jemma Cripps. We acknowledge the assistance of Dr Ken Sharpe from the Statistical Consulting Centre in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, in the statistical analysis. Tamara Keeley from Taronga Western Plains Zoo's Wildlife Reproductive Center conducted the LH assays and the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Melbourne, provided histological assistance. We thank Dr Terry Fletcher for advice on the design of the study and Professor Marco Festa-Bianchet and Sarah Garnick for insightful comments on the manuscript. This study was funded by the Australian Research Council Linkage Project (LP0560344), The Koala and Kangaroo Contraception Program led by the late Professor Des Cooper, Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment and Parks Victoria's Research Partners Panel. It was undertaken with the approval of The University of Melbourne Animal Ethics Committee and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.