Experimental Studies of Controlled Reproduction in Elk (Wapiti)

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Abstract
Thirty-six female elk, determined by rectal palpation to be pregnant, were injected intramuscularly with 75-200 mg repository type diethylstil-bestrol during the period Dec. to March (3 to 6 months'' gestation). Only about 30 [degree]/o of the pregnancies were terminated, it was learned by post-mortem examination. The pregnancies of 2 elk injected with estradiol cyclopentylpropionate in the 6th month of gestation were terminated. Chemosterilants are usually effective for the year of treatment; succeeding pregnancies may occur unless the treatment is repeated. Precautions must be taken when chemosterilants are used on big game animals that may possibly be harvested by hunters. Cervical dilations and placement of intrauterine devices were unsuccessful. Bilateral ovariectomy was successfully performed on 33 pregnant and nonpregnant elk. A few pregnant elk were ovariectom-ized during each month from Dec. to April and the time of abortion following surgery varied. When the management techniques of hunting, trapping, control shooting, or poisoning are for some reason undesirable, it may be that under some conditions herd regulation can be accomplished more effectively, precisely, and economically by ovariectomizing a number of cows at intervals of several years.

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