Abstract
Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies can become overcrowded, and the colonies, landscape, and people affected by them may benefit from controlled populations. Contraception is a method that may be useful, particularly where lethal control is inappropriate or illegal. We investigated if oral administration of 20,25-diazacholesterol (DiazaCon®), an inhibitor of cholesterol and reproductive steroid hormone production, could reduce reproductive success of treated black-tailed prairie dogs in a fi eld trial. Ten treatments of approximately 45-mg DiazaCon per black-tailed prairie dog yielded a 47% reduction of young:adult ratios compared to control sites. Over a 3-month period, desmosterol, a cholesterol precursor used as an indicator of DiazaCon effects, was not detectable in any black-tailed prairie dogs trapped at control sites, whereas elevated levels were detectable in 33 of 35 blood samples from black-tailed prairie dogs trapped at treated sites. Average cholesterol levels were lower in treated animals than in control animals. DiazaCon administration may be a useful tool to control populations of black-tailed prairie dogs, especially in light of the desire for conservation while still managing populations.
Recommended Citation
Nash, Paul B.; Furcolow, Carol A.; Bynum, Kimberly S.; Yoder, Christi A.; Miller, Lowell A.; and Johnston, John J.
(2007)
"20,25-Diazacholesterol as an Oral Contraceptive for Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Population Management,"
Human–Wildlife Interactions: Vol. 1:
Iss.
1, Article 17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/9ejy-x018
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol1/iss1/17
