Kirkpatrick Jay F, Turner Allison
Science and Conservation Center Zoo Montana, Billings, Montana 59106, USA.
J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2003;6(4):301-8. doi: 10.1207/s15327604jaws0604_4.
Despite a large body of safety data, concern exists that porcine zonae pellucidae (PZP) immunocontraception--used to manage wild horse populations--may cause out-of-season births with resulting foal mortality. Our study at Assateague, Maryland indicated the effects of immunocontraception on season of birth and foal survival between 1990 and 2002 on wild horses from Assateague Island. Among 91 mares never treated, 69 (75.8%) of foals were born in April, May, and June (in season). Among 77 treated mares, 50 (64.9%) were born in season. Of 29 mares foaling within 1 year after treatment (contraceptive failures), 20 (68.9%) were born in season. Of 48 mares treated for greater than 2 years then withdrawn from treatment, 30 (62.5%) of 48 foals were born in season. There were no significant differences (p <.05) between either treatment group or untreated mares. Survival did not differ significantly among foals born in or out of season or among foals born to treated or untreated mares. Data indicate a lack of effect of PZP contraception on season of birth or foal survival on barrier island habitats.
尽管有大量的安全数据，但对于用于管理野马种群的猪透明带（PZP）免疫避孕法，人们仍担心它可能导致非繁殖季节产仔，进而造成马驹死亡。我们在马里兰州阿萨蒂格岛的研究表明了1990年至2002年间免疫避孕法对阿萨蒂格岛野马出生季节和马驹存活情况的影响。在91匹从未接受过治疗的母马中，69匹（75.8%）的马驹在4月、5月和6月出生（繁殖季节内）。在77匹接受过治疗的母马中，50匹（64.9%）在繁殖季节内出生。在治疗后1年内产驹的29匹母马（避孕失败）中，20匹（68.9%）在繁殖季节内出生。在接受治疗超过2年然后停止治疗的48匹母马中，48匹中有30匹（62.5%）的马驹在繁殖季节内出生。治疗组与未治疗的母马之间均无显著差异（p<.05）。繁殖季节内或繁殖季节外出生的马驹，以及接受治疗或未接受治疗的母马所生马驹的存活率均无显著差异。数据表明，PZP避孕法对屏障岛栖息地的出生季节或马驹存活没有影响。
