Cope Holly R, Hogg Carolyn J, Fagg Karen, Barnard Olivia, White Peter J, Herbert Catherine A
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, SOLES, J.D. Stewart Building B01, Camperdown, 2006, NSW, Australia.
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, SOLES, J.D. Stewart Building B01, Camperdown, 2006, NSW, Australia; Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia, Mosman, 2088, NSW, Australia.
Theriogenology. 2018 Feb;107:134-141. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.10.047. Epub 2017 Nov 4.
In captive breeding programs, it is becoming increasingly important to maximize the retention of genetic diversity by managing the reproductive contribution of each individual, which can be facilitated through the use of selective contraception. This becomes critical when captive populations are held for several generations, and managers must prevent the confines of housing space and financial support from compromising genetic integrity. For example, the Tasmanian devil insurance population, established in 2006, is strategically managed to equalize founder representation. This becomes difficult when devils are housed in large groups in free-range enclosures (FREs). This study examined the efficacy, duration and potential side effects of Suprelorin contraceptive implants (containing 4.7 mg of deslorelin) on Tasmanian devils housed in FREs. Females were monitored to assess post-treatment reproductive rates, feeding behavior and weight changes. Suprelorin successfully prevented reproduction in all treated females (P < 0.001) for at least one breeding season. For one year after contraception, there was no difference in proportion of time spent feeding between contraception and control groups (P > 0.05) and there was no effect of contraception on order of arrival at food (P = 0.632), suggesting no alterations to social structure. Devils with pouch young spent more time feeding than those without (P < 0.001). Treatment and month had an interactive effect on weight (P < 0.001), yet contracepted females were only heavier than controls in one season, indicating no overall excessive weight gain. Suprelorin implants inhibit reproduction for at least one breeding season, with no apparent negative effects on feeding behavior or social dynamic. Selective contraception has the potential to become an important tool for conservation managers, to meet multiple reproductive, genetic and behavioral goals for this species.
在圈养繁殖计划中，通过管理每个个体的繁殖贡献来最大限度地保留遗传多样性变得越来越重要，而使用选择性避孕措施有助于实现这一点。当圈养种群繁殖几代后，这一点变得至关重要，管理人员必须防止居住空间和资金支持的限制损害遗传完整性。例如，2006年建立的袋獾保险种群，经过战略管理以平衡奠基者的代表性。当袋獾被成群饲养在自由放养围栏（FRE）中时，这就变得困难了。本研究考察了Suprelorin避孕植入物（含4.7毫克去甲舍雷肽）对饲养在FRE中的袋獾的有效性、持续时间和潜在副作用。对雌性进行监测，以评估治疗后的繁殖率、进食行为和体重变化。Suprelorin成功地阻止了所有接受治疗的雌性至少一个繁殖季节的繁殖（P < 0.001）。避孕后的一年里，避孕组和对照组在进食时间比例上没有差异（P > 0.05），避孕对到达食物的顺序也没有影响（P = 0.632），这表明社会结构没有改变。有育儿袋幼崽的袋獾比没有的花费更多时间进食（P < 0.001）。治疗和月份对体重有交互作用（P < 0.001），但避孕后的雌性仅在一个季节比对照组重，表明没有总体上的过度体重增加。Suprelorin植入物至少在一个繁殖季节抑制繁殖，对进食行为或社会动态没有明显负面影响。选择性避孕有可能成为保护管理人员的一项重要工具，以实现该物种在繁殖、遗传和行为方面的多重目标。
