Study on the efficacy of triptolide on fertility control for rodent populations

ZHU Xiangyun; PANG Lihong; CHEN Binyan; TANG Xu; BIN Li; HU Wei; DING Li; CHEN Yuting

doi:10.19821/j.1671-2781.2025.05.007

Abstract：Objective To verify the efficacy of 0.25 mg/kg triptolide bait on the fertility control of rodent populations in agricultural areas,and evaluate its effects on the rodent density and pregnancy rate of adult female rodents.Methods At four demonstration sites in Quanzhou County,Guangxi,baiting was conducted using the one-time saturated baiting method.Rodent density was monitored by the night trapping method.The number of pregnant female rodents and fetuses were counted,and bait consumption and safety to non-target animals were observed.Results Rodent species in Quanzhou County included Rattus losea,R.norvegicus,R.tanezumi,Mus musculus,and Microtus sp.,with R.losea,R.norvegicus,and M.musculus being the dominant species in agricultural areas(farmland and villages).The best control effect of 0.25 mg/kg triptolide bait on rodent density and female pregnancy rate was observed on the 30th day after application.The corrected control rates of rodent density in the four demonstration sites ranged from 73.14%to 77.72%,and the pregnancy suppression rates of female rodents ranged from 78.79%to 80.28%.The control effect on rodents can last for more than 90 days.On the 90th day after application,the corrected control rates of rodent density in the four demonstration sites ranged from 41.11%to 45.54%,and the pregnancy suppression rates ranged from 50.88%to 52.63%.The feeding coefficient was 0.65 for triptolide bait,indicating good palatability.No poisoning non-target animals was found during the experiment period.Conclusions 0.25 mg/kg triptolide bait can effectively reduce the pregnancy rate of adult female rodents and control rodent population density.It is safe for the ecological environment,non-target organisms,poultry,humans and livestock,and can be promoted and applied in rodent control in rural areas.