Animal contraceptives

Abstract

An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs or rodents is provided. Exemplary compositions include 0.005-1.4% by weight of free gossypol and non-free gossypol material. The non-free gossypol material includes a bulk feed ingredient, a pig attractant, a flavoring ingredient, or any combination thereof. An assembly may include an orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs or rodents and packaging. A system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to pigs or rodents may include the composition and a device configured to allow the pig or rodent to eat the composition while preventing other animals from eating the composition. A method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to pigs or rodents includes making the composition available to pigs.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, systems, and methods for controlling animal populations, such as wild / feral pigs or rodents, such as rats and mice, through reproductive reduction. [Background technology]

[0002] Feral animal populations have been growing for years and are now out of control, causing significant and growing damage to farms, ranches, beaches, golf courses and more every year.

[0003] These animals can give birth at least two to three times each year, allowing them to rapidly expand their populations on farms, ranches, and other land. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, an orally ingestible contraceptive composition for animals, such as rodents or pigs, is provided. An exemplary composition comprises 0.005-1.4% by weight of free gossypol and non-free gossypol material. The non-free gossypol material comprises a bulk feed ingredient, a rodent attractant, a flavor component, or any combination thereof. The composition may further comprise cottonseed meal. The cottonseed meal may comprise 5-60% by weight of the composition. The cottonseed meal may comprise at least a portion of the free gossypol. The cottonseed meal may provide at least a portion of the non-free gossypol material. The bulk feed ingredient may comprise corn, which may comprise 25-65% by weight of the composition. The rodent attractant, flavor component, or combination thereof may comprise molasses, salt, apple flavor, dried sour corn mash, or any combination thereof. The molasses may form 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition, the salt may form 0.5 to 4% by weight of the composition, the apple flavor may form 0.05 to 0.75% by weight of the composition, the dry sour corn mash may form 0.25 to 25% by weight of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0005] In a second aspect, an assembly is provided, the assembly including an ingestible contraceptive composition for an animal and packaging at least partially enclosing the composition, and the assembly may include written suggestions, recommendations, or instructions for placing the composition in a feeder.

[0006] In a third aspect, a system for delivering an ingestible contraceptive composition to an animal is provided. The system includes the composition and a device. The device is configured to allow the animal to eat the composition and to deter other animals from eating the composition. The other animals include deer, felines, canines, rabbits, birds, reptiles, marsupials, raccoons, armadillos, or any combination thereof. The device may be configured to exclude non-rodents from an interior of the device, and the interior may be configured to contain the composition. The device may be configured to allow rodents to enter or access the interior of the device, and the interior may be configured to contain the composition.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method for delivering an ingestible contraceptive composition to an animal is provided. The method includes making the composition available to the animal. The method may include making the composition available to the rodent in a rodent-specific delivery system. The method may include creating an assembly for the rodent, the assembly including the composition and a package at least partially enclosing the composition. The method may include making the assembly available to the rodent in a rodent-specific delivery system. The method may include using a rodent attractant to attract the rodent to the composition and induce the rodent to eat the composition. The method may include reducing the reproductive capacity of the rodent after the rodent ingests the composition. The reducing the reproductive capacity of the rodent may be specific to male rodents. Ingestion of the composition results in rodents having a sperm motility score of less than 70% and / or a sperm morphology score of less than 80%.

[0008] Other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or substantially similar component shown in various figures is represented by a single numeral or notation. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Also, not every component of each embodiment of the present invention is shown unless illustration is necessary for one of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of claimed embodiments of this invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, together with its preferred modes of use, further objects and advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an ingestible contraceptive composition for animals, the composition being disposed within a container. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembly including an ingestible animal contraceptive composition and packaging. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for delivering an ingestible contraceptive composition to an animal, the system including the ingestible contraceptive composition and a device configured to allow the animal to eat the composition and to prevent other animals from eating the composition. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for delivering an ingestible contraceptive composition to an animal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] As used herein, "pig" refers to any member of the Suidae family, whether wild or domesticated, and includes animals commonly referred to as pigs, swine, hogs, and boars. As used herein, "rodent" refers to a mammal belonging to the rodent order, generally having sharp incisors, a small body, and a long tail. Novel compositions are provided that can be used, for example, as a contraceptive for pigs or rodents. The compositions can be useful for preventing unwanted reproduction of wild pigs, domestic pigs, feral pigs, rodents, or any combination thereof. For example, the compositions can be a natural feed mixture fed to feral pigs or rodents to reduce the number of feral pigs or rodents on a farm, ranch, or property. Advantageously, the compositions act as a contraceptive for male feral pigs or rodents, reducing the number of viable sperm in the feral boars or rodents, thereby reducing the feral boars' or rodents' feral reproductive potential. Thus, the birth of newborn pig or rodent pups can be reduced, and the feral pig or rodent population can be reduced over time.

[0011] 1, there is shown an example of an orally ingestible contraceptive composition 0102 for pigs or rodents. The composition is contained in a container 0104. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an assembly 0200 including a composition 0102 and a package 0202 is also disclosed.

[0012] Referring now to Figure 3, this figure shows a schematic diagram of a system 0300 for delivering an ingestible contraceptive composition 0102 to a pig or rodent. The system 0300 includes the composition 0102 and a device 0302 configured to allow the pig or rodent to eat the composition and prevent other animals from eating the composition. As shown, the composition is provided as part of an assembly that includes a package 0202. However, as one skilled in the art will understand, the composition may be provided within the device 0302 without a package to house the composition, or the composition may be provided within the device 0302 in a package that houses the composition.

[0013] Referring now to Figure 4, a schematic flow chart illustrates an embodiment of a method 0400 for delivering an ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig. The method includes several steps. The first step involves making the composition available to the pig 0402, for example, in a pig-specific delivery system. In some embodiments, making the composition available to the pig is part of making an assembly available to the pig, the assembly including the composition.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second step includes using a pig attractant to attract pigs to the composition and causing the pigs to eat the composition 0404. This second step can occur before the first step, during the first step, after the first step, or any combination thereof. For example, the pig attractant can be a component of the composition.

[0015] As shown, a third step can include reducing the reproductive performance of the pig after it has eaten the composition 0406. The third step can occur after the first step, after the second step, or after both steps.

[0016] The method illustrated in Figure 4 can also be used to deliver orally ingestible contraceptive compositions to rodents. Experimental example (pig) A 30-day feeding trial was conducted in Erath County, Texas, in the spring of 2018 to study the effect of a novel contraceptive composition, a formulated feral pig feed, on male reproductive performance. All pigs were fed 1.36 kg (3 lb) of feed per pig per day. The contraceptive composition consisted of 490 kg (1,080 lb) ground corn, 363 kg (800 lb) cottonseed meal, 45.4 kg (100 lb) molasses, and 9 kg (20 lb) salt. The control group was fed a commercial pig feed. There were three treatment groups. The treatment groups were given the novel contraceptive according to Table 1.

[0017] [Table 1]

[0018] The results of the experiment are reported in Table 1. During the 30-day trial, boars 1, 2, 3, and 4 received the novel contraceptive composition for 5 days, 15 days, 30 days, and no feeding, respectively. Each pig was fed the novel contraceptive composition continuously from day one, according to its feeding schedule, and then switched to commercial pig feed when indicated. All pigs used in the experiment were previously used as breeding males and were of reproductive age and health. At the end of the 30-day trial, semen was collected and the animals were slaughtered. A veterinarian evaluated the semen collected from each boar by viewing a magnified representative sample. The results of the semen study indicated that all pigs fed the novel contraceptive diet had sperm motility scores of approximately 50% or less and sperm morphology scores of approximately 50% or less, indicating reduced fertility. Sperm motility and morphology scores are based on percentages of the total number of sperm evaluated. Previous studies on pig reproduction have shown that sperm viability requires a motility score of 70% or greater and a morphology score of 80% or greater. Of particular interest is the finding that pigs receiving the novel contraceptive for only 5 days out of 30 days experienced a similar decline in fertility as those receiving it for 15 and 30 days. All groups readily accessed feed daily on individual feeding schedules. All pigs were housed in individual, semi-shaded, side-by-side pens for the entire experiment. These results support the idea that feeding non-toxic, all-natural feeds, such as the contraceptive composition described in this disclosure, may have a negative impact on the reproductive performance of male feral pigs, thereby significantly reducing the damage caused by feral pigs to crops and property in the future.

[0019] In some embodiments, the contraceptive-containing composition is configured to be stable when stored in a dry storage location for up to six months. In some embodiments, the contraceptive-containing composition is configured to be stable in a feeder dedicated to wild pigs for at least one, two, three, or four months without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water. As an example, a stable composition remains effective to sterilize boars when ingested at 3 pounds of contraceptive per pig per day for three days over a one-month period, optionally on consecutive days, non-consecutive days, or both. By way of example, a pig can be considered infertile if it has a sperm motility score of 0% to less than 70%, less than 65%, less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, or less than 30%; a sperm morphology score of 0% to less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less than 65%, less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, or less than 30%; or a combination thereof.

[0020] In some embodiments, the composition comprising the contraceptive is a dry bait having a low moisture content, for example, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, 10-20% by weight, or 10-15% by weight moisture.

[0021] In some embodiments, the contraceptive-containing composition can be used with a device configured to allow pigs to consume the composition while preventing other animals from consuming the composition. An example of such a device is a pig feeder, such as any of the pig feeders described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454, issued July 31, 2018, and published June 30, 2016, as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0183494, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. As described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454, the feeder can be configured to prevent non-ungulate animals from accessing the edible composition. Thus, hoofed pigs can access the edible composition, but other animals, such as bears, cannot access the edible composition within the housing. The feeder described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454 is also an example of a dedicated feral pig delivery system. Of course, the feeder described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454 is merely an example, and the methods, compositions, and systems described herein may be used with any suitable currently available feral pig specific delivery system, for example, any system approved by the entity having jurisdiction over the area in which the system is to be used.

[0022] Illustrative Example (Pig) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following: Example 1. A food that reduces sperm motility and morphology in feral boars, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: (i) any composition described in the claims or in the Additional Embodiments section of this application, or (ii) gossypol as part of the ingredients listed in Table 2, or with all of those ingredients or a combination of any selected ingredients, wherein each ingredient is present in the food in any concentration range or concentration equal to or included within the concentration range listed in Table 2.

[0023] Example 2. The food of Example 1, wherein consumption of the food by male feral pigs (i) significantly reduces the reproductive performance of male feral pigs in the area where the food is placed, (ii) reduces the birth of piglets in the area where the food is placed, (iii) reduces the feral pig population over time in the area where the food is placed, or (iii) any combination thereof.

[0024] Example 3. A method of delivering food of any one of Examples 1 and 2, comprising delivering the food via a dedicated feral pig delivery system. Example 4. A method of delivering food of any one of Examples 1 and 2, comprising delivering the food via a system configured to allow access to feral pigs and deny access to other animals.

[0025] 3. A method of delivering food according to any one of Examples 1 and 2, comprising delivering the food via a dedicated feral pig delivery system.

[0026] [Table 2]

[0027] Additional Embodiments The following items are provided as further description of embodiments of the compositions, systems, and methods disclosed herein.

[0028] 1. An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars and sows), comprising: gossypol (e.g., free gossypol (also known as unbound gossypol available for digestion), biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof); and non-gossypol materials (e.g., non-free gossypol, non-biologically active gossypol, non-bioavailable gossypol, non-racemic gossypol, non-(+)-gossypol, non-(-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof) that make up the remainder of the composition after gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof) is removed; Optionally, gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof) is present in an amount of 0.00025 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.04 to 0.08% by weight of the composition, 0.15 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.35 to 1% by weight of the composition, 0.4 to 0.9% by weight of the composition, at least 0.00025, 0.0003, 0.00035, 0.000 4, 0.00045, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0 .06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.225, 0.2275, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35 , 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 weight percent of the composition; 0.00025, 0.0003, 0.00035, 0.0004, 0.00045, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.0075, 0.0076, 0.0077, 0.0078, 0.0079, 0.008, 0.009, 0 .01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0. 18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.225, 0.2275, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.Constituting not more than 3, or 1.4% by weight, or any combination thereof;. Optionally, free gossypol is present in an amount of 0.00025-1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.005-1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.04-0.08% by weight of the composition, 0.15-1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.35-1% by weight of the composition, 0.4-0.9% by weight of the composition, at least 0.00025, 0.0003, 0.00035, 0.0004, 0.00045, 0.00045, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.00010, 0.00011, 0.00012, 0.00013, 0.00014, 0.00015, 0.00016, 0.00017, 0.00018, 0.00019, 0.00020, 0.00021, 0.00022, 0.00023, 0.00024, 0.00025, 0.00035, 0.0004, 0.00045, 0.00045, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.00010, 0.00011, 0.00012, 0.00013, 0.00014, 0.00015, 0.00016, 0.00017, 0.00018, 0.0 008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75 , 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 wt. % of the composition, 0.00025, 0.0003, 0.00035, 0.0004, 0.00045, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, 0.001, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.0 constituting less than or equal to 6, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 weight percent, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the non-gossypol material comprises a portion of cottonseed meal that is not gossypol; Optionally, the non-gossypol material comprises a bulk feed ingredient (e.g., a bulk feed ingredient that is not the non-gossypol portion of cottonseed meal); Optionally, the non-gossypol material comprises an effective amount of a pig attractant; Optionally, the non-gossypol material comprises an effective amount of a flavor component; Optionally, the non-gossypol material comprises a coating for the composition; and Optionally, the total amount of the composition (e.g., in one serving, in one or more packages, in a delivery device or system, or a combination thereof) is at least the average amount that a male feral pig eats in one serving (e.g., where the composition is placed), at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 times the average amount that a pig (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar and a sow) eats in one serving (e.g., where the composition is placed), at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 times the average amount that a pig (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar and a sow) eats in one serving (e.g., where the composition is placed), 0, 80, 90, or 100 times or less, or 3 to 5 pounds, or 3 to 200 pounds, or at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 , 150, 200 pounds, or less than 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200 pounds, or any combination thereof A composition comprising:

[0029] 2. The composition of item 1, wherein the composition comprises a cottonseed extract (e.g., cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof); Optionally, the cottonseed extract comprises at least a portion of gossypol, all of gossypol, or a portion of gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof); Optionally, the cottonseed extract (e.g., cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof) comprises at least 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% by weight of the composition; or no more than 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% by weight of the composition; or any combination thereof; Optionally, the cottonseed extract (e.g., cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, solvent extracted cottonseed oil, screw press oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof) has a saturation of at least 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.201, 0.202, 0.203, 0.204, 0.205, 0.206, 0.207, 0.208, 0.209, 0.300, 0.301, 0.302, 0.303, 0.304, 0.305, 0.306, 0.307, 0.308, 0.309, 0.409, 0.410, 0.411, 0.412, 0.413, 0.414, 0.415, 0.416, 0.417, 0.418, 0.419, 0.500, 0.501, 0.502, 0.503, 0.504, 0.505, 0.506, 0.507, 0.508, 0.509, 0.601, 0.602, 0.603, 0.604, 0 0.206, 0.207, 0.208, 0.209, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.54, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.79, or 0.8 wt% gossypol; 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.07 5, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.201, 0.202, 0.203, 0.204, 0.205, 0.206, 0.207, 0.208, 0.209, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.54, or any combination thereof; optionally, the gossypol is free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof; optionally, the cottonseed extract is not alkali-refined cottonseed oil, not bleached cottonseed oil, or neither alkali-refined cottonseed oil nor bleached cottonseed oil; Optionally, the cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof has a saturation of at least 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.201, 0.202, 0.203, 0.204, 0.205, 0.206, 0.207, 0.208, 0.209, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.5, 0.54, 0.55, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.79, or 0.8 wt% gossypol; 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.0 55, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.123, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.201, 0.202, 0.203, 0.204, 0.205, 0.206, 0.207, 0.208, 0.209, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.41, 0.4 or 0.8% by weight or less of gossypol; or any combination thereof; optionally, the gossypol is free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the cottonseed extract is present in an amount of 0.005 to 5% by weight of the composition, 1 to 5% by weight of the composition, 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.04 to 0.08% by weight of the composition, 0.15 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.35 to 1% by weight of the composition, 0.4 to 0.9% by weight of the composition, at least 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.60, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67 009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.24, 1.25, 1.26, 1.27, 1.28, 1.29 ... 0.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% by weight of the composition, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0. 0.9, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 weight percent or less, or any combination thereof.

[0030] 3. The composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition comprises cottonseed meal, and optionally the cottonseed meal comprises all or a portion of gossypol, and the non-gossypol material comprises portions of the cottonseed meal that are not gossypol; optionally, the cottonseed meal comprises (i) 5 to 75% by weight of the composition; (ii) 5 to 60% by weight of the composition; (iii) 15 to 70% by weight of the composition; (iv) 25 to 50% or 35 to 50% by weight of the composition; (v) 38.8 to 41.2% or 40 to 45% by weight of the composition; (vi) at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, (vii) 10, 15, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 38.8, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75% by weight of the composition; or (viii) any combination thereof; optionally, the cottonseed meal comprises 0.123% by weight gossypol or 0.1 to 0.2% by weight gossypol. 0.057 to 0.238 wt. % gossypol (e.g., optionally, the gossypol is free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof); optionally, the cottonseed meal comprises at least 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.055, 0.056, 0.057, 0.058, 0.059, 0.06, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.121, 0.122, 0.123, 0.124, 0. 125, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.235, 0.236, 0.237, 0.238, 0.239, 0.24, or 0.25 wt.% gossypol; 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0 .055, 0.056, 0.057, 0.058, 0.059, 0.06, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.121, 0.122, 0.123, 0.124, 0.125, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.235, 0.236, 0.237, 0.238, 0.239, 0.24, or 0.25% by weight or less of gossypol; or any combination thereof; optionally, the gossypol is free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof.

[0031] 4. The composition of any of the preceding claims: the effective amount of pig attractant (e.g., a scent component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof) is a concentration of pig attractant in the composition configured to attract pigs to the composition, induce pigs to eat the composition, or a combination thereof; the effective amount of pig attractant (e.g., a scent component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof) is a concentration of pig attractant in the composition configured to sufficiently mask the presence of gossypol in the composition to attract pigs to the composition, to induce pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars and sows) to eat the composition, or a combination thereof; the effective amount of flavoring ingredient is a concentration of flavoring ingredient in the composition configured to provide the composition with a flavor desired by a pig, to make the composition palatable to a pig, or a combination thereof; the effective amount of flavoring ingredient is a concentration of flavoring ingredient in the composition configured to sufficiently mask the presence of gossypol in the composition so that the composition is desirable to pigs, so that pigs will eat the composition, or a combination thereof; Or any combination thereof.

[0032] 5. The composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, configured to have a bulk density such that the smallest adult pig expected to ingest the composition (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar and a sow) can eat at least 3 pounds (and optionally up to 5 pounds) of the composition.

[0033] 6. The composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, adapted to (i) reduce the reproductive performance of pigs after being eaten by the pigs, (ii) reduce the reproductive performance of pigs after the composition is eaten by the pigs, (iii) attract pigs to eat the composition and reduce the reproductive performance of pigs after the pigs eat the composition, or (iv) any combination thereof.

[0034] 7. The composition of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pig is a boar, or the pig is a male or female pig. 8. The composition of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pig is a sow, or the pig is a male or female pig.

[0035] 9. The composition of any of the preceding claims, pig attractants; flavoring ingredients; or any combination thereof; Including, Optionally, the pig attractant comprises a scent component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the swine attractant, flavoring ingredient, or any combination thereof comprises (i) 0.05-25%, 0.05-0.1%, (ii) 0.1-0.75% by weight of the composition, (iii) 0.2-0.5% by weight of the composition, (iv) 3.99-4.41% by weight of the composition, (v) at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 3.99, 4.41, 4.5, 5, 10, 15, or 20% by weight of the composition, (vi) no more than 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 3.99, 4.41, 4.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% by weight of the composition, or (vii) any combination thereof; Optionally, the pig attractant, flavor component, or any combination thereof comprises apple flavor, sour corn mash flavor (e.g., dry sour corn mash), caramel apple flavor, sweet flavor, molasses flavor, berry flavor, fish meal flavor, corn flavor, beet flavor, corn gluten flavor (e.g., corn gluten), creosote flavor, salty and sweet flavor, strawberry flavor, cherry flavor, caramel flavor, diesel flavor, lactose flavor, pheromone (e.g., boar pheromone, sow pheromone, or any combination thereof), corn steep liquor, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the corn steep liquor comprises (i) 3.99-4.41% by weight of the composition; (ii) at least 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.99, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.41, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, or 10% by weight of the composition; (iii) no more than 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.99, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.41, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, or 10% by weight of the composition; or (iv) any combination thereof; Optionally, the apple flavor comprises 0.05-0.75% by weight of the composition, at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, or 0.7% by weight of the composition, no more than 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, or 0.75% by weight of the composition, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the sour corn mash flavor (e.g., dried sour corn mash) comprises 0.25 to 25% by weight of the composition, at least 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3.4, 5, 10, 15, or 20% by weight of the composition, no more than 0.5, 1, 2, 3.4, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% by weight of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0036] 10. The composition of any of the preceding claims, at least one additive (e.g., as part of a bulk feed ingredient, a pig attractant, a flavor ingredient, a scent ingredient, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof); Optionally, the at least one additive is calcium carbonate, dried whey, flaxseed, flaxseed meal, green tea extract, cheese dregs, or any combination thereof; and optionally the additive component comprises 0.05-5 wt.% of the composition, 1-4 wt.% of the composition, 2-3 wt.% of the composition, at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 4 wt.% of the composition, no more than 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wt.% of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0037] 11. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the coating comprises: starch, optionally including cornstarch; Optionally, all or any selected components of the other components of the composition are coated with starch; Optionally, the composition includes spraying all of the components of the composition, any of the components of the composition, any combination of the components of the composition, or cottonseed extract with atomized starch (e.g., corn starch) to provide a coated composition having a coating, drying the coated composition to provide a dried coated composition, and crushing the dried coated composition into smaller pieces (e.g., chunks and / or granules) to give the smaller pieces a harder structure compared to a composition without a coating, thereby protecting the composition when exposed to an environment such as a natural environment, and in some cases when the composition is placed on the ground.

[0038] 12. The composition of any of the preceding claims, Contains corn; Optionally, said bulk feed ingredients comprise said corn; Optionally, the corn comprises cracked corn, kernel corn, ground corn, corn meal, field corn, or a combination thereof; Optionally, the corn comprises (i) between 5 and 75% by weight of the composition, (ii) between 25 and 65% by weight of the composition, (iii) between 35 and 50% by weight of the composition, (iv) between 45 and 55% by weight of the composition, (v) between 48.5 and 51.5% by weight of the composition, (vi) at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 46, 47, 48, 48.5, 49, 50, 51.5, 55, 60, 65, or 70% by weight of the composition, (vii) no more than 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 46, 47, 48, 48.5, 49, 50, 51.5, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75% by weight of the composition, or (viii) any combination thereof.

[0039] 13. The composition of any of the preceding claims, Contains corn gluten; Optionally, said bulk feed ingredients comprise said corn gluten; Optionally, the corn gluten comprises ground corn gluten, pelleted corn gluten, ground corn gluten, corn gluten meal, wet corn gluten, or a combination thereof; Optionally, the corn gluten comprises (i) 1 to 65% by weight of the composition, (ii) 25 to 65% by weight of the composition, (iii) 35 to 50% by weight of the composition, (iv) 45 to 55% by weight of the composition, or (v) at least 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 100, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, (vi) comprising no more than 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, or 65% by weight of the composition; or (vii) any combination thereof.

[0040] 14. The composition of any of the preceding claims, Contains beet pulp; Optionally, said bulk feed ingredients comprise said beet pulp; Optionally, the beet pulp comprises wet beet pulp, dried beet pulp, sliced ​​beet pulp, pelleted beet pulp, or a combination thereof; Optionally, the beet pulp comprises 25-65% by weight of the composition, 35-50% by weight of the composition, 45-55% by weight of the composition, at least 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60% by weight of the composition, up to 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, or 65% by weight of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0041] 15. The composition of any of the preceding claims, Contains salt (e.g., sodium chloride); Optionally, the salt forms at least a portion of a pig attractant, a flavor component, a scent component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the salt comprises (i) 0.5-4.0% by weight of the composition, (ii) 1.0-3.0% by weight of the composition, (iii) 2.0-2.5% by weight of the composition, (iv) at least 0.5, 1, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3, or 3.5% by weight of the composition, (v) no more than 1, 1.5, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4% by weight of the composition, or (vi) any combination thereof.

[0042] 16. The composition of any of the preceding claims, including molasses (e.g., sugarcane molasses); Optionally, the molasses forms at least a portion of a pig attractant, a flavor component, a scent component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the molasses comprises (i) 0.5 to 7% by weight of the composition, (ii) 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition, (iii) 2.5 to 7.0% by weight of the composition, (iv) 3.0 to 6.0% by weight of the composition, (v) 3.5 to 5.0% by weight of the composition, (vi) at least 0.5, 1, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.71, 1.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 1.0, 1.6, 1.8, 1.0, 1.8, 1.0, 1.4 ...0, 1.8, 1.0, 1.0, 1.8, 1.0, 1.0, 1.8, 1.0, (vii) 1, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.71, 1.8, 1.89, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 7% by weight of the composition; or (viii) any combination thereof.

[0043] 17. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, comprising Contains lactose; Optionally, the lactose forms at least a portion of a pig attractant, a flavor component, a scent component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the lactose comprises powdered lactose, granular lactose, liquid lactose, or a combination thereof; Optionally, the lactose comprises 2.0-10% by weight of the composition, 3.5-7.5% by weight of the composition, 4.5-6.0% by weight of the composition, at least 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, or 9.5% by weight of the composition, no more than 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% by weight of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0044] 18. The composition of any of the preceding clauses, wherein one or any combination of the components of the composition is provided in the form of a crushed, pelleted, powdered, liquid, oil (e.g., cottonseed extract, cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof), grit, meal, or any combination thereof.

[0045] 19. The composition of any of the preceding clauses, processed or packaged to retain contraceptive efficacy after extended storage without refrigeration (e.g., at 25°C and 1 atmosphere) for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 months, and optionally up to 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 months in dry storage conditions (e.g., 50% relative humidity) without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water (e.g., in a storage unit with specified conditions); said contraceptive efficacy being such that said contraceptive efficacy is maintained by administering to fertile pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars or sows) the contraceptive efficacy of said composition. The composition can render fertile pigs infertile when they eat 3 pounds of the composition per day for three consecutive days, where infertile means that after eating the composition, the pig (e.g., boar) has a sperm motility score of less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, a sperm morphology score of less than 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or a combination thereof.

[0046] 20. A composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, processed or packaged so as to be shelf-stable for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 months and up to 6 months during non-refrigerated storage in a dry storage area, without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water.

[0047] 21. The composition of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the feed is stable and effective for 1, 2, or 3 months, up to 4 months, in a closed pig feeder (e.g., a wild or feral pig feeder) without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water.

[0048] 22. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, the composition is a dry food having a moisture content of 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, 10-20% by weight, 10-15% by weight, at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% by weight, no more than 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40% by weight, or any combination thereof; the composition has a moisture content equal to 10-40% moisture by weight, at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% moisture by weight, no more than 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40% moisture by weight, or any combination thereof; the composition is 60-90% by weight dry matter, at least 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or 85% by weight dry matter, or no more than 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, or 65% by weight dry matter, or any combination thereof; The composition is any combination thereof.

[0049] 23. Assembly including: A composition according to any of the preceding claims; and packaging (e.g., for the composition); wherein optionally, the package at least partially or completely encloses the composition; and optionally, the package encloses at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% of the mass, volume, or surface area of ​​the composition, no more than 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% of the mass, volume, or surface area of ​​the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0050] 24. An assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, whether the package is a plastic package; whether the package is a poly weave package; whether the package is a paper package; or any combination thereof.

[0051] 25. An assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, The assembly includes suggestions (e.g., written suggestions, optionally on the package or on a separate sheet), recommendations (e.g., written recommendations, optionally on the package or on a separate sheet), or instructions (e.g., written instructions, optionally on the package or on a separate sheet) for placing the composition in a feeder (e.g., a feeder specifically for pigs).

[0052] 26. An assembly of any of the preceding paragraphs, The composition (e.g., inside a package) has a moisture content equal to 10-40% by weight moisture; at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% by weight moisture; no more than 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40% by weight moisture; or any combination thereof; or the composition (e.g., inside a package) is 60-90% by weight dry matter, at least 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or 85% by weight dry matter, no more than 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, or 65% by weight dry matter, or any combination thereof; or The assembly may be any combination thereof.

[0053] 27. A system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar or sow) or to a plurality of pigs (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar and a sow), comprising: A composition of any of the preceding claims or an assembly of any of the preceding claims; and 1. A device configured to allow pigs to eat the composition and prevent other animals from eating the composition, optionally wherein the other animals include deer, felines, canines, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, marsupials, raccoons, armadillos, or any combination thereof. A system including:

[0054] 28. The system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the device is configured to be a pig-specific delivery system for the composition (e.g., a wild or feral pig-specific delivery system).

[0055] 29. The system of any of the preceding paragraphs, optionally wherein the device is configured to exclude non-ungulate animals from an interior of the device, the interior being configured to contain the composition, and optionally wherein the device is configured to allow pigs to enter or reach the interior of the device (e.g., to exclude essentially all other terrestrial vertebrates (excluding animals with opposable thumbs and humans) and to allow only pigs), and the interior being configured to contain the composition.

[0056] 30. A method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig, comprising: A method comprising making the composition or assembly of any of the preceding clauses available to a pig (e.g., in a dedicated pig delivery system), and optionally making the composition or assembly available to a pig using the device or system of any of the preceding clauses.

[0057] 31. Any method of the preceding paragraph, allowing the pig to eat the composition. 32. Any method of the preceding paragraph, The method includes attracting pigs to the composition using a pig attractant, a flavoring ingredient, a scent ingredient, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof.

[0058] 33. Any method of the preceding paragraph, The method includes attracting pigs to the composition using a pig attractant, a flavoring ingredient, a scent ingredient, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof.

[0059] To induce pigs to eat the composition. 34. Any method of the preceding paragraph, A method for reducing the reproductive performance of a pig after the pig eats said composition.

[0060] 35. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pig is a wild pig. 36. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pigs are feral pigs. 37. A method according to any preceding clause, wherein the pig is a boar, or the pig is a sow or a boar.

[0061] 38. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pigs are wild or feral pigs of an appropriate domesticated pig breed. 39. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pigs are crossbreeds between feral pigs and appropriate domesticated pig breeds.

[0062] 40. A method according to any preceding clause, wherein the pig is a sow, or the pig is a sow or a boar. 41. The method of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the pig is a boar, and the pig, upon feeding the contraceptive composition, has a sperm motility score of 0% to less than 70%, a sperm motility score of at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or 65%, a sperm motility score of less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or any of these. a sperm morphology score of at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%, a sperm morphology score of less than 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof.

[0063] 42. The method of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the pigs are boars, and after eating 3 pounds of contraceptive per day for 3 days during a 1-month period, the pigs have: a sperm motility score of 0% to less than 70%, a sperm motility score of at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or 65%, a sperm motility score of less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, a sperm motility score of 0% to less than 80%, a sperm morphology score of at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%, a sperm morphology score of less than 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or any combination thereof; or any combination thereof; Optionally, said days are consecutive, and optionally, said three days are non-consecutive.

[0064] 43. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the boar is a feral pig. 44. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the sow is a feral pig. 45. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the step of making the contraceptive composition available comprises placing the contraceptive in a feeder that selectively makes the contraceptive composition available to pigs.

[0065] 46. ​​The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the step of making the contraceptive composition available includes placing the contraceptive composition in a device that allows pigs to eat the contraceptive composition and prevents other animals from eating the contraceptive composition.

[0066] 47. Any method of the preceding paragraph, whether the morphology of said pig's sperm has deteriorated to the extent that it is no longer sterile; Do the pig sperm lose the ability to reach and penetrate the egg? Do the pig sperm not swim properly? Will the pigs become infertile? the reproductive performance of said pig is reduced; or The method is any combination thereof.

[0067] 48. The method of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the device is a swine-specific delivery system (e.g., a wild or feral swine-specific delivery system) or a swine-specific delivery system (e.g., a wild or feral swine-specific delivery system) that is currently available and approved for use by an entity having jurisdiction over the area in which the swine-specific delivery system is to be used.

[0068] 49. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composition is protected from the environment (e.g., ambient conditions, rain, sun, wind, or any combination thereof) by packaging, optionally by packaging the composition in a plastic or polyweave feed bag.

[0069] 50. Any method of the preceding paragraph, spraying starch (e.g., corn starch) onto all of the components of the composition, any of the components of the composition, any combination of the components of the composition, or cottonseed extract to provide a coated composition having a coating; drying the coated composition to provide a dried coated composition; and The method includes breaking down the dried coated composition into smaller pieces (e.g., chunks and / or granules), optionally thereby giving the smaller pieces a harder structure compared to the uncoated composition, and optionally thereby protecting the composition when exposed to the environment, such as the natural environment, and in some cases when the composition is placed on the ground.

[0070] Illustrative Examples (Rodents) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following: Example 1b. A food for reducing sperm motility and morphology in rodents, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: (i) any composition described in the claims or in the Additional Embodiments section of this application (including those described or claimed for pigs), or (ii) gossypol as part of the ingredients listed in Table 3, or with all of those ingredients or any selected combination of ingredients, wherein each ingredient is present in the food in any concentration range or concentration equal to or included within the concentration range listed in Table 3.

[0071] In a preferred example, the gossypol-containing food is delivered to the rodent in an amount or concentration sufficient to deliver about 15-40 mg of gossypol per kilogram of rodent body weight per day.

[0072] Example 2b. The food of Example 1b, wherein consumption of the food by a rodent (i) significantly reduces the reproductive efficiency of rodents in the area where the food is located, (ii) reduces the birth of newborn rodents in the area where the food is located, (iii) reduces the rodent population over time in the area where the food is located, or (iii) any combination thereof.

[0073] Example 3b. A method of delivering the food of any one of Examples 1b and 2b, comprising delivering the food via a rodent-specific delivery system. Example 4b. A method of delivering food of any one of Examples 1b and 2b, comprising delivering the food via a system configured to allow access to rodent animals and deny access to other animals.

[0074] A method of delivering food according to any one of Examples 1b and 2b, comprising delivering the food via a rodent-specific delivery system.

[0075] [Table 3]

[0076] While embodiments have been described using specific compositions containing gossypol, additional embodiments can be formed by providing the composition with essentially any formulation containing gossypol. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the composition can include various relative ratios of any one ingredient to another, excluding gossypol, ranging from 0% to 100% by weight, or any actual value or range therein. For example, the relative ratios can be selected so that the composition attracts pigs, induces pigs to eat the composition, retains contraceptive efficacy after placement in place, causes reduced fertility or substantial infertility in pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or male or female pigs) when at least 1.36 kg (3 lbs) of the composition is ingested daily for three consecutive days by pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or male or female pigs), or any combination thereof.

[0077] Although embodiments have been described using the term "comprising" or variations thereof, additional embodiments can be created by replacing the term "comprising" with "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of" and variations thereof. Additional embodiments can also be created by replacing "comprising" or variations thereof with "comprising at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99 wt. % and up to 100 wt. %" or variations thereof.

[0078] Although embodiments have been described using the term "substantially," additional embodiments can be formed in which the term "substantially" is replaced with "nearly" or "at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% and up to 100%."

[0079] Although embodiments have been described using a first range having a first set of upper and lower limits, additional embodiments can be created by replacing the first range with a narrower range having upper and lower limits selected from any value included in the first range.

[0080] When ostensibly open-ended ranges are described in this disclosure using the terms "at least," "greater than," "less than," "less than or equal to," or similar terminology, the range includes all possible values ​​in the open-ended range but excludes values ​​that are physically impossible. For example, if the context dictates that a range can only include values ​​up to 100%, values ​​greater than 100% are excluded from the range. As another example, if the context dictates that a range can only include values ​​up to 0%, values ​​less than 0% are excluded from the range. If the context dictates that a range can only include positive values, negative values ​​are excluded from the range.

[0081] For embodiments described in this disclosure as including optional components, this means that one or any combination of the optional components can be included in the embodiment, but is not required to be included. For example, some embodiments may not include any optional components, some embodiments may include only one optional component, some embodiments may include any selected number of optional components, and some embodiments may include all of the optional components.

[0082] Moreover, while the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The inventors anticipate that those skilled in the art will adopt such variations as necessary, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted under applicable law. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, any combination of the above-described elements, including all possible variations thereof, is encompassed by the invention.

Claims

1. 1. An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for rodents, comprising: 0.005 to 0.23% by weight of free gossypol; and Non-free gossypol substances, including bulk feed ingredients, rodent attractants, flavoring ingredients, or any combination thereof A composition comprising:

2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises cottonseed meal, the cottonseed meal comprising 5-60% by weight of the composition, the cottonseed meal comprising at least a portion of the free gossypol, and the cottonseed meal providing at least a portion of the non-free gossypol material.

3. 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the composition comprises bulk feed ingredients, the bulk feed ingredients comprising corn, the corn comprising 25-65% by weight of the composition.

4. 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the composition comprises the rodent attractant, the flavor component, or a combination thereof, wherein the rodent attractant, the flavor component, or a combination thereof comprises molasses, salt, apple flavor, dried sour corn mash, or any combination thereof.

5. the molasses comprises 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition; the salt comprises 0.5 to 4% by weight of the composition; the apple flavor comprises 0.05 to 0.75% by weight of the composition; the dry sour corn mash comprises 0.25 to 25% by weight of the composition; or The composition of claim 4, which is any combination thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1, and a package at least partially enclosing said composition; The assembly containing:

7. 7. The assembly of claim 6, including written suggestions, recommendations, or instructions for placing the composition in a feeder.

8. 1. A system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a rodent, comprising: The composition of claim 1, and A device configured to allow rodents to eat the composition and prevent other animals from eating the composition. A system including:

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the other animals include deer, felines, canines, rabbits, birds, reptiles, marsupials, raccoons, armadillos, or any combination thereof.

10. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the device is configured to exclude non-rodents from an interior of the device, the interior being configured to contain the composition.

11. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the device is configured to allow a rodent to enter or reach an interior of the device, the interior being configured to contain the composition.

12. 10. A method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a rodent, comprising making the composition of claim 1 available to the rodent.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, comprising providing the composition to a rodent in a rodent-specific delivery system.

14. The method includes providing an assembly for obtaining the rodent, the assembly comprising: the composition, and a package at least partially enclosing said composition; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

15. 15. The method of claim 14, comprising providing the assembly to a rodent in a rodent-specific delivery system.

16. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising using a rodent attractant to attract the rodent to the composition and cause the rodent to eat the composition.

17. 4. The method of claim 3, comprising reducing the reproductive capacity of said rodent after said rodent eats said composition.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the rodent is a male rodent.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein after feeding on the composition, the rodent has a sperm motility score of less than 70% or a sperm morphology score of less than 80%.

20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein after feeding on the composition, the rodent has a sperm motility score of less than 70% and a sperm morphology score of less than 80%.

Images