Immunocontraception is a birth control method that uses the body's immune response to prevent pregnancy. It is used to control populations of wild animals (e.g. white-tailed deer) or feral animals (e.g. mustangs), because it is more humane than culling, and cheaper and less labor-intensive than spaying or castrating animals. It is not popular for domestic animals and is not used in humans.

One drug often used for immunocontraception is porcine zona pellucida or PZP. It is made from the zona pellucida of pigs. It is similar enough to that of other animals that a female animal vaccinated with PZP will produce antibodies against her own oocytes, which prevent fertilization.

[edit] External links

• Immunocontraception The Humane Society of the United States

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