Effectiveness of Castration with Burdizzo, Calcium Chloride and Olive Oil in ‎Sahel Bucks

We evaluated the efficacy of castration with bilateral intratesticular injections of Calcium Chloride Dihydrate (CaCl2) in ethanol, Olive Oil as well as Burdizzo technique in twenty Sahel bucks. The bucks were randomly distributed into four groups as A, B, C and D. Group A served as the control and were given bilateral intratesticular injection of 1.0 ml of normal saline. Bucks in group B were castrated with Burdizzo, while group C and D were given bilateral intra testicular injection of 1.0 ml of CaCl2 and Olive oil, respectively. The sonograms and semen profiles of the bucks were evaluated.The diameters of the testicles and spermatic cords and the semen parameters were measured in real time after castration at days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60. The diameters in the Burdizzo, CaCl2‎and Olive oil castrated bucks ‎significantly increased (P < 0.05) on days 7 and was decreased at ‎day 60.‎ Semen motility was absent in the bucks castrated with Cacl2 after day 14. The ‎concentration of spermatozoa also decreased significantly on day 7 in all the Burdizzo, CaCl2‎and ‎Olive oil castrated goats. Sonogram of testes castrated with Cacl2 showed discreet focal ‎hyperechoic, surrounded by ‎hypoechoic areas ‎within the parenchyma due to the CaCl2 deposition. The testes of bucks castrated with olive oil were ‎characterized by a central hypoechoic area ‎surrounded by clearly distinguishable hyperechoic ‎areas within the parenchyma. It was concluded that intratesticular injection with Burdizzo, CaCl2and olive oil resulted in successful castration but CaCl2 injection resulted in earlier azoospermia.

Clinical evaluation of chemo-sterilization through histomorphology and hormonal changes in bucks

The study was aimed to evaluate methods for nonsurgical castration of Black Bengal bucks by intra-testicular injection of calcium chloride, sodium chloride, citric acid solutions or sterile deionized water. Twelve healthy bucks were randomly allotted to groups A, B, C, and D, consisting of three bucks each. The local anesthetic, 2% lidocaine hydrochloride, was infused into the spermatic cord of each buck, followed by bilateral intra-testicular injections of 30% calcium chloride (CaCl2), 25% sodium chloride (NaCl), 50% citric acid (C6H8O7) solutions, and sterile deionized water dosed at 2 ml per testis in groups A, B, C and D respectively. To evaluate the efficacy of chemical agents on the inactivation of testes, clinical parameters, changes in scrotal circumference, testicular fine needle aspiration (TFNA), histopathology and serum concentration of testosterone and LH were monitored. A significant decrease in the scrotal circumference was observed between the intra-testicular injection and day 14 in all the bucks. Absence of spermatogenic cells and spermatozoa in the testicular biopsy was observed on day 14 post injection in the bucks, except for one in group C. Histopathology revealed massive destruction of seminiferous tubules and disorganization of the testicular parenchyma. Serum testosterone concentration declined significantly on day 14 compared with day 0. Consequently, the gradual elevation in serum LH concentration was significant. Thus, intra-testicular injections of CaCl2 and NaCl were more effective than C6H8O7 in inducing chemical-based nonsurgical castration.

Evaluation of Electroencephalography, Behaviour and Eye Temperature in Response to Surgical Castration in Sheep

Castration has been demonstrated to cause pain in sheep. However, it is routinely performed for management purposes. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used successfully to measure pain in lambs in response to castration and other husbandry procedures in livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of EEG as a measure of pain and analgesia in conscious lambs undergoing castration on farm over a 24 h period. EEG responses were compared to behavioural observations and changes in ocular temperature via infrared thermography. Twenty-four merino ram lambs (18.63 ± 2.06 kg) were used in this study. Lambs were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment groups: (1) castration with pre-surgical administration of meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg Metacam 20 mg/mL injected subcutaneously into the skin of the neck 15 min prior to recording) and lignocaine (applied via intra-testicular injection five minutes prior to castration, 2 mL lignocaine hydrochloride 20 mg/mL, Troy/Ilium) (CML, n = 8); (2) castration only (C, n = 8); (3) sham castration, handling only (SC, n = 8). EEG was recorded for 5 mins pre-procedure (prior to any intervention), and for 5 mins post-procedure at 0, 1, 4 and 24 h. Behavioural reactions to the procedure were scored, and behaviours were scan sampled at 5 min intervals at the above time points, by blinded observers. Eye temperature was measured for five-minute intervals at each time point. EEG decreased from baseline to 0 h for CML and C groups (p < 0.001), C group values returned similar to baseline at 24 h. Eye temperature increased post-castration at 0 h for C group, no initial change was seen for CML or SC groups. CML and C groups were more likely to have higher reaction scores and showed more abnormal behaviours (p = 0.017). CML and C groups had similar results, indicating minimal effect of analgesic intervention. Lambs in SC group showed significant EEG changes, suggesting that stress from handling also impacted EEG results.

Analysis of Histopathological and Ultrasonographic Testicular Changes Following Intra Testicular Administration of Zinc Gluconate and Chlorhexidine Gluconate in Adult Dogs

Background: Escalating stray dog population is becoming a big problem worldwide. The chemical contraception is gaining more popularity because of its cost effectiveness, easy application and negligible complications. Methods: The present study was designed to analyze the contraceptive effect of intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine and chlorhexidine gluconate in twenty-four sexually mature male mongrel dogs divided into four groups viz I, II, III and IV each of six animals. Groups I, II and III were treated with zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine, 5% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, respectively and group IV were kept as control. The testicular biopsy samples were collected on day 0 and 30 using 16-gauge biopsy gun. The ultrasonographic examination of testes was done on day 0, 5, 15, 24 and 30. Result: The noteworthy microscopic changes at day 30 such as irregular basement membranes with severe depletion of both germinal and sertoli cells were observed in all the treatment groups. The ultrasonography revealed degenerated testicles and significant diminution in the testicular length by day 30 in all the treatment groups. Thus, intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine, 5% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate may be used for chemical contraception in dogs.

Testicular injection of busulfan for recipient preparation in transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells in mice

Intraperitoneal busulfan injections are used to prepare recipients for spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation but they are associated with haematopoietic toxicity. Testicular injections of busulfan have been proposed to overcome this limitation. To date, testicular injections have not been studied in the mouse model. Therefore, in the present study we used ICR mice as recipients for SSC transplantation and prepared these mice by testicular injection of busulfan on both sides (2, 3, 4 or 6 mg kg–1 per side). Following this, donor germ cells expressing red fluorescent protein (RFP) from transgenic C57BL/6J male mice were transplanted into recipients via the efferent duct on Days 16–17 after busulfan treatment. Positive control mice were prepared by intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg kg–1 busulfan and negative control mice were treated with bilateral testicular injection of 50% dimethyl sulfoxide. On Day 49 after transplantation, recipient mice that were RFP-positive by in vivo imaging were mated with ICR female mice. Donor-derived germ cell colonies with red fluorescence were observed on Day 60 after transplantation, and donor-derived offspring were obtained. The results demonstrated that endogenous germ cells were successfully eliminated in the seminiferous tubules via testicular busulfan administration, and that exogenous SSCs successfully undergo spermatogenesis in the testes of recipient mice prepared by testicular injections of busulfan. In addition to its effects on recipient preparation, this method was safe in rodents and could possibly be adapted for use in other species.