Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > WR > WR06028
REVIEW
Contents Vol 33(8)

Application of pharmaceutical drug delivery for biological control of the common brushtail possum in New Zealand: a review

A. McDowell A C , B. J. McLeod B , T. Rades A and I. G. Tucker A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

B AgResearch Invermay, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: arlene.mcdowell@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Wildlife Research 33(8) 679-689 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06028
Submitted: 20 March 2006  Accepted: 23 October 2006   Published: 19 December 2006

Abstract

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the most significant vertebrate pest in New Zealand, being a major ecological threat to the indigenous biodiversity and an economic threat as a vector for bovine tuberculosis. Novel and effective strategies to reduce the population of T. vulpecula are needed urgently. Several biocontrol agents are currently being assessed and from research to date it is likely that the biocontrol agents will be peptide or protein molecules. It is not possible to administer such biocontrol agents alone because they would be degraded rapidly in the animal, especially if delivered orally. Technologies used in the pharmaceutical industry to design efficacious drug-delivery systems for humans and animals can be applied to the design of delivery systems for biocontrol agents used in wildlife management, although there are some unique challenges that must be overcome.


Acknowledgments

The authors are part of the National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol (NRCPB), which includes personnel from two Crown Research Institutes (AgResearch and Landcare Research) and from New Zealand and Australian universities. The NRCPB receives funding from the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and The Animal Health Board. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions that improved the manuscript.


References

Aboubakar, M. , Couvreur, P. , Pinto-Alphandary, H. , Gouritin, B. , Lacour, B. , Farinotti, R. , Puisieux, F. , and Vauthier, C. (2000). Insulin-loaded nanocapsules for oral administration: in vitro and in vivo investigation. Drug Development Research 49, 109–117.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Barlow N. D. (2000). Models for possum management. In ‘The Brushtail Possum. Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. Montague.) pp. 208–219. (Maanaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Bowen, L. , Morgan, D. R. , and Eason, C. T. (1995). Persistence of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) in baits under simulated rainfall. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 38, 529–531.
Coleman J., and Caley P. (2000). Possums as a reservoir of bovine Tb. In ‘The Brushtail Possum. Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. Montague.) pp. 92–104. (Maanaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Cooke, B. , Henzell, R. , and Murphy, E. (2004). International issues in the use of GMOs for the management of mammal populations. Biocontrol News and Information 25, 37N–41N.
Cowan P. (1990). Brushtail possum. In ‘The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals’. (Ed. C. King.) pp. 68–98. (Oxford University Press: Auckland.)

Cowan, P. E. (1996). Possum biocontrol – prospects for fertility regulation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 8, 655–660.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Cowan P. E. (2000). Biological control of possums: prospects for the future. In ‘The Brushtail Possum. Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. Montague.) pp. 262–279. (Maanaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Cowan, P. E. , and Moeed, A. (1987). Invertebrates in the diet of brushtail possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, in lowland podocarp broadleaf forest, Orongorongo Valley, Wellington, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 14, 163–177.
Duckworth J. A., Mate K. E., Scobie S., Jones D. E., Buist J. M., Molinia F. C., Glazier A., Cui X., Cowan D. P., Walmsley A., Kirk D., Lubitz W., and Haller C. (2001). Evaluating zona pellucida antigens and delivery systems for possum fertility control in New Zealand. In ‘Biological Management of Possums’. National Science Strategy Committee for possum and bovine Tb control. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand.

Eckery D. C., Ng Chie W., Colbourne L. E., Heath D. A., Lawrence S. B., Lun S., Whale L., Thompson E. G., Mahoney P. M., Wen J. Y., Juengel J. L., Fidler A. E., Moore L. G., McLeod B. J., and McNatty K. P. (1999). The search for regulators of gonadal development and pituitary function and the development of delivery systems for fertility control in possums. In ‘Advances in the Biological Control of Possums’. Miscellaneous Series No. 56. (The Royal Society of New Zealand: Wellington, New Zealand.)

Eckery D. C., Juengel J. L., Bauer E., Heath D. A., Lawrence S. B., Lun S., McLeod B. J., Moore L. G., Thompson E. G., Thomas B. P., Western L., Whale L., and McNatty K. P. (2001). Disabling reproductive function in possums: current strategies, research findings and future directions. ‘Biological Management of possums’. National Science Strategy Committee for possum and bovine Tb control. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand.

Efford M. (2000). Possum density, population structure and dynamics. In ‘The Brushtail Possum. Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. Montague.) pp. 47–58. (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Efford, M. , Warburton, B. , and Spencer, N. (2000). Home-range changes by brushtail possums in response to control. Wildlife Research 27, 117–127.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Fitzgerald G., Wilkinson R., and Saunders L. (2000). Public perceptions and issues in possum control. In ‘The Brushtail Possum: Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. L. Montague.) pp. 187–197. (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Flinn, N. , Coppard, S. , and Toth, I. (1996). Oral absorption studies of lipid conjugates of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). International Journal of Pharmaceutics 137, 33–39.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Florence A. T., and Attwood D. (1998). Drug stability. In ‘Physicochemical Principles of Pharmacy’. (Eds A. T. Florence and D. Attwood.) pp. 101–151. (Pharmaceutical Press: London.)

Florence, A. T. , Hillery, A. M. , Hussain, N. , and Jani, P. U. (1995). Nanoparticles as carriers for oral peptide absorption: studies on particle uptake and fate. Journal of Controlled Release 36, 39–46.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Kissel T., and Koneberg R. (1996). Injectable biodegradable microspheres for vaccine delivery. In ‘Microparticulate Systems for the Delivery of Proteins and Vaccines’. (Eds S. Cohen and H. Bernstein.) pp. 51–87. (Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York.)

Krauel, K. , Davies, N. , Hook, S. , and Rades, T. (2005). Using different structure types of microemulsions for the preparation of poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles by interfacial polymerisation. Journal of Controlled Release 106, 76–87.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | McLeod B. J., McKay G. J., Thompson E. G., Manley T. R., and Tucker I. G. (1998). Intra-nasal administration of GnRH to a marsupial – the brushtail possum. In ‘25th International Symposium on Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials’. (Las Vegas, USA.)

McLeod, B. J. , Zhang, H. , Huang, L. , Thompson, E. G. , Butt, A. G. , and Tucker, I. G. (2005). An in situ single-pass perfusion model for assessing absorption across the intestinal mucosa of the brushtail possum. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 53, 234–241.
| PubMed | Morgan D., and Hickling G. (2000). Techniques used for poisoning possums. In ‘The Brushtail Possum. Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. Montague.) pp. 143–153. (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Nettles, V. F. (1997). Potential consequences and problems with wildlife contraceptives. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9, 137–143.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Ralston M., Cowan D. P., and Heath D. A. (2001). Measuring the spread of the candidate possum biocontrol vector Parastrongyloides trichosuri. In ‘Biological Management of possums’. National Science Strategy Committee for possum and bovine Tb control. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wellington, New Zealand.

Ramsey, D. (2005). Population dynamics of brushtail possums subject to fertility control. Journal of Applied Ecology 42, 348–360.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Spurr E. B. (2000). Impacts of possum control on non-target species. In ‘The Brushtail Possum. Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial’. (Ed. T. L. Montague.) pp. 175–186. (Maanaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand.)

Thomson, D. , Meers, J. , and Harrach, B. (2002). Molecular confirmation of an adenovirus in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Virus Research 83, 189–195.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Tiyaboonchai, W. , Woiszwillo, J. , Sims, R. C. , and Middaugh, C. R. (2003). Insulin containing polyethylenimine-dextran sulfate nanoparticles. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 255, 139–151.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Toth, I. , Malkinson, J. P. , Flinn, N. S. , Drouillat, B. , Horvath, A. , Erchegyi, J. , Idei, M. , Venetianer, A. , Artursson, P. , Lazorova, L. , Szende, B. , and Keri, G. (1999). Novel lipoamino acid- and liposaccharide-based system for peptide delivery: application for oral administration of tumour-selective somatostatin analogues. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 42, 4010–4013.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Turner, J. W. , Liu, I. K. M. , Flanagan, D. R. , Bynum, K. S. , and Rutberg, A. T. (2002). Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception of wild horses (Equus caballus) in Nevada: a 10 year study. Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Supplement 60, 177–186.
| PubMed |

Vila, A. , Sanchez, A. , Tobio, A. , Calvo, P. , and Alonso, M. J. (2002). Design of biodegradable particles for protein delivery. Journal of Controlled Release 78, 15–24.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Vila, A. , Gill, H. , McCallion, O. , and Alonso, M. J. (2004). Transport of PLA-PEG particles across the nasal mucosa: effect of particle size and PEG coating density. Journal of Controlled Release 98, 231–244.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Wakerly, Z. , Fell, J. T. , Attwood, D. , and Parkins, D. A. (1996). In vitro evaluation of pectin-based colonic drug delivery systems. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 129, 73–77.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wang, J. , Chow, D. , Heiati, H. , and Shen, W.-C. (2003). Reversible lipidization for the oral delivery of salmon calcitonin. Journal of Controlled Release 88, 369–380.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Watnasirichaikul, S. , Rades, T. , Tucker, I. G. , and Davies, N. M. (2002a). Effects of formulation variables on characteristics of poly(ethylcyanoacrylate) nanocapsules prepared from w/o microemulsions. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 235, 237–246.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Watnasirichaikul, S. , Rades, T. , Tucker, I. G. , and Davies, N. M. (2002b). In-vitro release and oral bioactivity of insulin in diabetic rats using nanocapsules dispersed in biocompatible microemulsion. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 54, 473–480.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Watts, P. J. , and Illum, L. (1997). Colonic drug delivery. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy 23, 893–913.


Wen, J. Y. , Ledger, R. , Butt, A. G. , McLeod, B. J. , Davies, N. M. , and Tucker, I. G. (2002a). Inhibition of proteolysis in luminal extracts from the intestine of the brushtail possum. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 54, 1365–1372.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Wen, J. Y. , Ledger, R. , McLeod, B. J. , Davies, N. M. , Butt, A. G. , and Tucker, I. G. (2002b). Protein and peptide degradation in the intestine of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 172, 553–559.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Wilding, I. R. , Coupe, A. J. , and Davis, S. S. (2001). The role of gamma-scintigraphy in oral drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 46, 103–124.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Yang, L. B. , Chu, J. S. , and Fix, J. A. (2002). Colon-specific drug delivery: new approaches and in vitro/in vivo evaluation. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 235, 1–15.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed |

Zheng, T. , Napier, A. M. , O’Keefe, J. S. , and Buddle, B. M. (2004). Experimental infection of possums with macropodid herpesvirus 1. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 52, 20–25.
| PubMed |