Evaluation of Nicarbazin as a Potential Waterfowl Contraceptive Using Mallards as a Model

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Key words; contraception; 4; 4′-dinitrocarbanilide; nicarbazin; vitelline membrane; waterfowl; Canada; Tive; Branta canadensis
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.584.9704; http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/06pubs/yoder062.pdf

ABSTRACT Contraception may provide a useful nonle-thal management tool to reduce wild bird populations. We tested the efficacy of nicarbazin (NCZ) as a contracep-tive for waterfowl and assessed health effects of NCZ, using domestic mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Mallards were given gelatin capsules containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, or 33.75 mg of NCZ/kg of BW perorally once daily for 14 d. Fecal 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and fluorescein were evaluated as potential markers of plasma and egg DNC levels. Plasma, egg, and fecal DNC levels differed among treat-ment groups in a dose response relationship. There were no significant effects on the numbers of eggs laid per female per day, proportion of fertile eggs, proportion of eggs hatching, or egg yolk mottling. Hatchability was 0.55 ± 0.1 in the control group compared with 0.26 ± 0.1 in the 33.75 mg/kg of BW group. Degeneration of the vitelline membrane was evident at all treatment levels;