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The use of DiazaCon ™ to limit fertility by reducing serum cholesterol in female grey squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis
Author(s) -
Mayle Brenda A,
Ferryman Mark,
Peace Andrew,
Yoder Christi A,
Miller Lowell,
Cowan David
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.3347
Subject(s) - sciurus carolinensis , sciurus , biology , reproduction , fertility , range (aeronautics) , ecology , zoology , medicine , habitat , environmental health , population , materials science , composite material
BACKGROUND: The grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin, is an invasive alien species introduced into Great Britain in the late nineteenth century and into Northern Italy during the early twentieth century. Grey squirrels have displaced the native European red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris L., throughout much of Great Britain and have a significant impact on trees and woodlands through bark‐stripping activity. In Britain, eradication is no longer an option at a regional scale, but fertility control offers a non‐lethal approach to reducing negative impacts. The cholesterol mimic DiazaCon ™ has been successfully used to inhibit reproduction in some species. These studies aimed to evaluate whether DiazaCon ™ is effective in inhibiting reproduction in grey squirrels. RESULTS: DiazaCon ™ reduced serum cholesterol levels in female grey squirrels at a range of doses. The period of effect increased with increasing dose. Reproduction rate was not significantly different between treatment and control groups owing to a lack of breeding in controls. CONCLUSIONS: DiazaCon ™ has potential to reduce serum cholesterol levels enough and for a sufficient period to reduce fertility in female grey squirrels. Information on baseline physiology and blood chemistry of grey squirrels is required to inform interpretation of the level of significance of the effect. © Crown copyright 2012. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.