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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 35(6)

Effect of the GnRH vaccine GonaCon on the fertility, physiology and behaviour of wild boar

G. Massei A C , D. P. Cowan A , J. Coats A , F. Gladwell A , J. E. Lane A and L. A. Miller B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO26 5LE, UK.

B USDA APHIS National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.

C Corresponding author. Email: g.massei@csl.gov.uk

Wildlife Research 35(6) 540-547 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR07132
Submitted: 5 September 2007  Accepted: 18 March 2008   Published: 22 October 2008

Abstract

Fertility control has the potential to be used as an attractive alternative to lethal methods for limiting population growth in overabundant species. This study tested the effectiveness and potential side effects of the single-dose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine GonaCon on the physiology and behaviour of two groups of captive female wild boar in two sequential trials (Trial 1 and Trial 2). Following vaccination with GonaCon, data on contraceptive effectiveness were recorded as well as data on time budget, social rank, bodyweight, haematology and biochemistry. The concentration of GnRH-antibody titres peaked 2–6 weeks after vaccination and remained relatively high 12 weeks after vaccination. In Trial 1, all control females and none of the treated females gave birth. In Trial 2, faecal progesterone of treated females decreased to basal levels within a month of vaccination. No differences in time budget, social rank and blood parameters were observed between treated and control females. Bodyweight increased more in treated females than in controls. These results indicated that GonaCon can suppress reproduction of wild boar with no significant short-term effects on behaviour and physiology. GonaCon can be regarded as an effective, humane and safe contraceptive for managing wild boar populations.


Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Defra project WM0406. Thank you to Roger Quy, Gary Killian and Christi Yoder for useful discussion and comments on previous drafts. We are grateful to Steve Langton, Tony Prickett and Stephane Pietravalle for assistance with statistical analyses.


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