What is a chemical capable of preventing animal reproduction called?

The term that describes a chemical specifically designed to prevent animal reproduction is known as a chemosterilant. Chemosterilants work by disrupting the normal reproductive processes of organism populations, often used in pest management as a strategy to control and reduce pest numbers without the need to kill them outright. This method can be particularly beneficial in managing populations of animals or insects that pose a problem in both agricultural and urban settings, allowing for a more sustainable approach to pest control.

In contrast, insecticides primarily target insects by disrupting their biology, pesticides cover a broader category of chemicals that control various types of pests including insects, weeds, and fungi, and fungicides specifically target fungi, preventing their growth and reproduction. However, none of these categories specifically refer to the prevention of reproduction across broad animal populations as effectively as a chemosterilant does.