Surgical Castration Research Articles

Testicular Mass in Children: A Case Report

Testicular sarcomas constitute only 1–2% of all testicular tumors and are mostly associated with germ cell tumors. Primary intratesticular localization is very rare and must be differentiated from paratesticular locations. Accurate diagnosis and early treatment are essential as it is an aggressive tumor with high metastatic potential and poor prognosis. The optimal treatment is based on radical inguinal orchidectomy and chemotherapy.

Effects of lidocaine-plus-meloxicam treatment on behavioral and physiological changes, and leukocyte heat shock protein 90 gene expression after surgical castration in Hanwoo bulls

This study examined the effects of surgical castration and lidocaine-plus-meloxicam treatment on growth, physiology, behaviors, and leukocyte heat shock protein 90 (HSP 90) gene expression in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) bulls. Twenty Hanwoo bulls (body weight 248.8 ± 28.5 kg, age 9.4 ± 1.04 months) were assigned to three treatments: surgical castration with lidocaine injection (5 mL in the scrotum) and oral meloxicam administration (1 mg/kg body weight; LM; n = 7); surgical castration with placebo injection (5 mL of 0.9% NaCl) and oral placebo administration (lactose, 1 mg/kg body weight; CAS; n = 7); and shame castration (SHAM; n = 6). Meloxicam and lactose were administered 3 h before castration, and lidocaine and NaCl were injected immediately before castration. Surgical castration was performed with a Newberry knife and a Henderson castration tool. Wight was measured the day before and 14 d after castration, and behavior was observed from 0.5 h to 4.5 h post-castration. Blood was collected at −1 d, 0.5 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d after castration to measure plasma cortisol, haptoglobin, and leukocyte HSP 90 mRNA. Castration tended to decrease average daily gain (p = 0.06), but the LM treatment did not affect weight gain. Bulls in CAS showed higher cortisol concentration (p < 0.05) at 0.5 and 6 h after castration compared to SHAM, with no difference between CAS and LM. Castration increased haptoglobin concentration at 1 and 3 d after castration (p < 0.05) while LM bulls showed decreased haptoglobin concentration (p < 0.05) than CAS bulls at these times. HSP90 mRNA was increased at 6 h post-castration while LM did not reduce its expression, suggesting HSP90 may serve as an acute stress marker in castrated bulls. Castration increased (p < 0.05) frequencies of drinking, lying, walking, leg lifting, kicking, and stiff gait, while decreasing (p < 0.05) eating frequency. LM alleviated (p < 0.05) drinking, leg lifting, kicking, and stiff gait. Collectively, castration resulted in physiological changes, increased leukocyte HSP90 gene expression, and altered behaviors. These findings suggest that lidocaine-plus-meloxicam treatment partially mitigates pain and inflammation in the castrated bulls.

Application of an attention bias test after surgical castration in piglets

Surgical castration of male piglets is a routine procedure performed to improve meat quality. Prior studies have shown that pain due to castration can last for up to 4 days, negatively impacting animal welfare, however the impact on affect, such as anxiety, is unclear. The objective of this study was to test the application of a novel attention bias test to assess anxiety in piglets that underwent surgical castration with or without practical pain alleviation methods. Piglets were surgically castrated (n = 22), castrated with analgesics (n = 21), or sham-handled (n = 22) at 3 days of age. An attention bias test was performed in week 1 (n = 32, 10–11/treatment) and 12 (n = 29, 9–10/treatment) to assess anxiety (an affective state), with feed (positive stimulus), loud bangs, and flashing lights (negative stimuli) presented simultaneously. Latency to visit the feeder, behavioral responses, and activity were recorded during the test. Additional data on piglets’ activity, tails, and grimaces were collected at three timepoints, at 1, 6, and 24 h after castration to determine pain experience. Piglets’ increased activity (P = 0.065), the fact that fewer piglets visited the feeder (P = 0.029), and tended to have longer latencies to visit the feeder (P = 0.092) in the attention bias test in week 1 might suggest that pain caused by surgical castration increased anxiety. No differences were detected in week 12. Castration treatment and sampling timepoint impacted activity levels hours after treatments, however, other measures were not impacted. These results suggest that more research is needed to determine how affect is impacted by pain caused by surgical castration. Activity and behavioral results somewhat support previous findings that surgical castration causes pain in piglets. As this is the first study assessing the relationship between painful procedures and piglet anxiety, more research is needed to determine a valid method to understand the impacts of these procedures on pig affect.

Behavioral red flags for optimizing castration-induced acute pain diagnosis in cattle

Unesp-Botucatu Cattle Pain Scale (UCAPS) is widely used in experimental settings, however the high number of UCAPS behaviors might represent a barrier to its implementation in the farm's or hospital's routine. We aimed to identify a smaller combination of UCAPS behaviors that could be used as behavioral red flags for optimizing the acute pain diagnosis in cattle. We hypothesize that a specific set of UCAPS behaviors might be used as behavioral red flags for pain. This would represent a quick and simple pain evaluation and might optimize the acute pain assessment in large-scale systems. Data from two previous studies regarding UCAPS assessments before (pain free condition) and after (painful condition) surgical castration of 59 male cattle was used. We fitted a decision tree, resulting in a logic with two behaviors that we used as behavioral red flags. The logic adapted from the decision tree considered the painful diagnosis when the Activity was scored 2. When Activity was scored less than 2, but Locomotion was scored 1 or 2, the diagnosis was also considered positive for pain. When Activity was below 2 and Locomotion was 0, the diagnosis was considered free pain. Behavioral red flags had an area under the curve of 95.95 % for predicting UCAPS diagnosis and 94.13 % for predicting overall pain free and painful conditions. In conclusion, behaviors in the decision tree logic can work as behavioral red flags for optimizing the acute pain diagnosis in cattle, as a quick assessment in large-scale systems.

Oncological microdissection testicular sperm extraction (Onco-microTESE) outcomes for fertility preservation of patients with testicular cancer with azoospermia or severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

To determine the success rate of oncological microdissection testicular sperm extraction (onco-microTESE) in patients with testicular cancer (TC) with azoospermia and severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT; <1 million/mL sperm) and to explore any factors that may predict success. Case series of outcomes from all consecutive patients (42 testes in 38 patients) that presented or were referred to a single specialist tertiary referral centre for fertility management in the context of TC with severe OAT or azoospermia between August 2015 and August 2022. Biochemical, radiological, and histological parameters were collected for all patients. All patients underwent onco-microTESE (simultaneous radical inguinal orchidectomy with ex vivo microTESE of the affected testis). Those with unsuccessful surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) from the affected testis underwent contemporaneous contralateral microTESE, if no contraindication was present. The primary outcome was successful SSR from the affected testicle sufficient for assisted reproductive techniques. Secondary outcomes included contralateral microTESE success, the time from referral to procedure, and the total successful fertility preservation rate. Initial onco-microTESE was successful in 19 of 31 patients (61%) with azoospermia. Contralateral microTESE was successful in a further two of eight patients with azoospermia with failed onco-microTESE. Overall, 22/31 patients with azoospermia (71%) had successful fertility preservation in this series. In addition, six of seven patients with severe OAT had further sperm harvested by onco-microTESE to maximise their fertility preservation. All surgery was performed within median (interquartile range) of 7 (5-13) days from presentation. Onco-microTESE represents an effective method of fertility preservation for sub-fertile patients with TC without delaying oncological treatment. Knowledge of the fertility status at first presentation is essential to allow for such additional options for optimal fertility preservation in TC.

Chemical castration in dogs using calcium chloride: effects on testicular hemodynamics and semen characteristic and serum levels of testosterone

Dog overpopulation and stray dogs are global issues that are detrimental to public health and animal welfare. Thus, the goal of the current study was to provide alternatives for surgical castration. Therefore, calcium chloride was employed in this study, which might be an option for castration. Ten dogs were divided into two groups of five: a calcium chloride-treated group and a control group. The treated group received a single bilateral intratesticular injection of 1 ml of sterile saline containing calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2•2 H2O) at a dose of 20 mg/kg per testicle. While the control group was treated with 1 ml of sterile saline solution, Semen and blood collection, as well as Doppler ultrasonography, were routinely carried out every week on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 in order to evaluate the impact of the injection on semen parameters and testicular blood flow. The testicular volume and echogenicity in the CaCl2-treated group were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in weeks 2 through 4 than in the control group. Furthermore, in canine semen, CaCl2 dramatically decreased the amount, motility, and viability of sperm. When compared to vehicle-control animals, azoospermia was seen 2 weeks after the injection and persisted for the end of the study. The testes of all dogs were surgically removed at 30 days post-injection, and testes were put in 10% neutral buffered formalin for tissue processing. When compared to the control group, the average weight of testes in the chemical groups was dramatically reduced. Significant decreases in spermatogenic processes, necrosis, and degeneration of seminiferous tubules packed with necrotic debris, and fibrosed interstitial tissue, necrosed and calcified Sertoli, and Leydig cells were seen 30 days after CaCl2 injection. There was a significant decrease in testosterone levels compared to day 0 before CaCl2 injection and the control group. From weeks 1 through 4, there was a substantial decrease in both peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) values (P < 0.001) following a single intratesticular injection of CaCl2. The resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) showed the opposite tendency. Based on the histopathological and semen evaluations in this investigation, the study concludes that a single intratesticular injection of CaCl2 appears to be a practical and generally applicable approach for chemical sterilization of dogs.

Structure-guided design and evaluation of CRM197-scaffolded vaccine targeting GnRH for animal immunocastration

Immunocastration is a humane alternative to surgical castration for controlling population and estrous behaviors in animals. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the pivotal initiating hormone of the hormonal cascade in mammals, is the optimal target for immunocastration vaccine development. Cognate antigen-mediated cross-linking of B cell receptors (BCRs) is a strong activation signal for B cells and is facilitated by repetitive surface organizations of antigens. In this study, we describe the structure-guided design of highly immunogenic chimeric proteins with variant numbers of GnRH peptide insertion by epitope grafting. Linear B-cell epitopes of cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197) were replaced with multiple copies of GnRH peptide, and the inserts were displayed on the surface of the designs while maintaining the overall folding of CRM197. Among the seven designs, TCG13, which carries 13 copies of GnRH peptide, was the most immunogenic, and its immunocastration efficacy was evaluated in male mice. Vaccination with the BFA03-adjuvanted TCG13 induced potent humoral immunity and reduced the serum testosterone concentration in mice. It could significantly decrease sperm quality and severely impair gonadal function and fertility. These results demonstrate that CRM197 holds great value as a scaffold for epitope presentation in peptide-based vaccine development and supports TCG13 as a promising vaccine candidate for animal immunocastration.Key points• Provide a feasible way to design chimeric immunogen targeting GnRH by epitope grafting.• CRM197 can accommodate the insertion of multiple copies of heterologous epitope peptides.• Administration with the most immunogenic design led to effective immunocastration in male mice.

Penile inversion vulvo-vaginoplasty with scrotal graft for trans women: surgical technique and results of initial experience.

A significant proportion of trans women is demanding for a genital gender-affirming surgery, with vulvo-vaginoplasty being the most frequently requested procedure. The gold standard for primary vaginoplasty in trans women is the penile skin inversion technique with scrotal skin graft, which allows for increased depth of the vaginal cavity. The assessment of vulvo-vaginoplasty outcomes utilizing penile skin inversion and scrotal skin graft in individuals assigned male at birth in the surgeon's learning curve involves evaluating aesthetics, functionality, and sexual aspects. A total of 76 individuals assigned male at birth were included in 2 French university hospitals from 2020 to 2022. They underwent vulvo-vaginoplasty following 8 key steps: scrotal skin excision; bilateral orchiectomy; dissection between the rectum, bladder, and prostate; penile dissection; clitoroplasty; urethroplasty; penile skin inversion with scrotal skin graft; labioplasty. The average follow-up period was 12.4months, with participants averaging 35.7years of age. Each patient was invited to complete a questionnaire during follow-up. The study's outcomes encompassed the assessment of both early and late surgical complications, postoperative sexuality, aesthetic results, and voiding satisfaction. Of the total patients, 15.8% experienced major early postoperative complications, while 3% encountered major late postoperative complications. No complication was classified 4 or 5 in Clavien-Dindo scale. Most early complications were related to issues in vulvar healing, which did not compromise long-term aesthetic results. Patients-reported satisfaction was 82% after the procedure. Vulvo-vaginoplasty utilizing penile skin inversion and scrotal skin graft for individuals assigned male at birth is a reproductive surgery procedure that can be successfully performed by experienced urologist. It achieves high patient-reported satisfaction even during the learning curve. The surgical procedures were consistent, and the sizable cohort of patients accurately reflects the learning curve of both surgeons. However, extrapolating long-term complications is challenging due to the relatively brief follow-up period. Additionally, there is a lack of self-reported sexual function data, and the scales used to assess patient-reported quality of life and urinary satisfaction are not specifically validated for transgender patients. Vulvo-vaginoplasty utilizing penile skin inversion and scrotal skin graft for individuals assigned male at birth is a complex surgical procedure. It appears to be achievable by experienced urologists during their learning curve, resulting in similar functional and surgical outcomes, along with high patient satisfaction.

Surgical Castration as an Alternative to Improve Systemic Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Window of Opportunity for Developing Countries.

The Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS) serves approximately 71,730 patients with prostate cancer (PC) every year for which androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the primary treatment for patients with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (aHSPC). Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) are not accessible through the BPHS. Using the BPHS as a model, this study assesses the long-term economic effect of surgical versus medical castration in aHSPC treatment to strategize cost reduction and the incorporation of ARPI in developing countries. Data of patients with aHSPC (ie, TxN1M0 ineligible for local treatment or TxNxM1) from the BPHS database were analyzed from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021, using the TECHTRIALS artificial intelligence platform. The main outcomes were quantitative and descriptive analyses as well as a cost analysis of surgical versus chemical castration. Of the 274,519 patients with aHSPC who received active treatment during the 11-year study period, 90% (n = 246,683) underwent chemical castration and 10% (n = 27,836) underwent bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy (BSO). The median duration of chemical castration was 28 months. The BPHS spent an estimated total of $665,552,091.40 US dollars (USD) on chemical castration and $5,939,348.47 USD on BSO, respectively. The cost per patient was $2,698 USD and $213.37 USD for chemical castration and BSO, respectively. Hypothetically, if all patients with aHSPC had undergone BSO, the total direct cost for the BPHS would have been $42,774,832.20 USD, saving $622,777,259.20 USD over 11 years, making it possible to offer low-dose abiraterone to 65% of aHSPC patients. On the basis of this extensive financial analysis from the world's largest public health system database, BSO appears to be a valuable alternative to chemical castration for treating aHSPC. In resource-limited environments, the cost savings from using BSO may allow access to drugs that will improve survival such as ARPIs.

P151 Extent and pattern of symptom relief following surgical castration in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated at Muhimbili National Hospital: A prospective cohort study

P151 Extent and pattern of symptom relief following surgical castration in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated at Muhimbili National Hospital: A prospective cohort study

Comparison of the Competitiveness for Danish, Dutch, and German Piglet Producers under Consideration of Country-Specific Methods of Piglet Castration with Anesthesia

Pig producers in Europe adopt different production methods for male pig fattening. More than half of the animals are surgically castrated. The different interpretations of animal welfare in different countries lead to market differentiation and economically different production conditions, which do not restrict trade, but economically lead to drastic competitive changes for local producers. While the Netherlands has already implemented surgical castration for the export market, using CO2 narcosis (NL), Denmark and Germany are each introducing their strategies with local anesthesia (DK) and isoflurane anesthesia (DE), respectively. Using typical pig farms from the agri benchmark Pig Network, the additional costs and economic impacts of animal welfare regulations are calculated. In Germany, isoflurane anesthesia increases costs by EUR 28.54 to EUR 49.86 per sow, or EUR 1.93 to EUR 3.81 per male piglet. This corresponds to a cost increase of around 5% per piglet. In Denmark, the costs of local anesthesia with procaine increase more moderately by EUR 3.55 to EUR 5.05 per sow, or around EUR 0.30 per male piglet. The cost increase here is less than 1% per piglet. The additional costs are leading to a loss of competitiveness for Denmark and Germany compared to the Netherlands. However, Germany is also losing profit significantly compared to Denmark. This study highlights that animal welfare regulations can negatively impact the competitiveness of the pig sector. It emphasizes the need for countries to implement such regulations carefully, ensuring that they do not lead to the loss of production or international competitiveness. A balanced approach that supports both animal welfare and economic sustainability is essential.

Comparative induction of benign prostate hyperplasia using testosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate in rabbit model

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that usually occurs in aging men and some higher mammals. Many studies have been conducted to explore different treatment strategies for managing BPH. However, a suitable animal model for studying BPH is necessary. So far, only a few animal models, such as rat and dog models, have been used for this purpose. This study aimed to compare the assessment of the BPH model induced in rabbits through the administration of exogenous testosterone and estrogen post-bilateral orchidectomy. Fifteen (N=15) indigenous Nigerian rabbits were used for this experiment. The rabbits were orchiectomized and randomly divided into 3 groups: the testosterone, estrogen, and control groups. Seven days after bilateral orchidectomy, BPH was induced using exogenous subcutaneous administration of testosterone (15 mg kg-1), estrogen (0.75 mg kg-1), and normal saline (1 mL) for 4 weeks. After completion of the treatments, prostates were removed. The weight, volume, prostate index, and histologic scoring were determined. There were significant changes (p&lt;0.05) in prostate weight, volume, and index. Testosterone and estrogen-treated groups differed significantly from the control groups. There were no significant differences in all the parameters between the testosterone and the estrogen groups. Histological evaluation revealed hyperplasia of the epithelium of the prostate gland and increased stromal connective tissues with a corresponding increase in the number of glandular units with secretory-filled fluid within the lumens of the glands. The benign prostate hyperplasia rabbit model was developed successfully using exogenous treatment with testosterone propionate. Testosterone appeared to have significant roles in the development of prostate hyperplasia when compared to estrogen.

Clinical trials of intratesticular administration of nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulated alpha-mangostin: Safety and efficacy on feline reproductive health

Surgical castration is a primary method for controlling male fertility, but it is impractical for large-scale population control of stray animals. Developing nanoparticle-mediated sterilants that induce cell apoptosis rather than necrosis is a complex and promising area of research. This study aimed to investigate the impact of intratesticular administration of alpha-mangostin encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (AM-NLC) on testicular changes and any associated adverse effects over a 168-day observation period. Thirty-two healthy mature tomcats were enrolled. None of the cats treated with either AM-NLC (n = 28) or blank NLC (n = 4) exhibited noticeable complications related to pain or stress throughout the study, as assessed by clinical examination, blood profiles, and serum amyloid A levels. Histopathological analysis of AM-NLC treated cats revealed seminiferous epithelium degeneration, leading to defective tubules. Key findings included germ cell depletion, disorganized spermatogenic cells without spermatids in certain areas, apoptotic bodies, and intracytoplasmic vacuolization. The intertubular compartment showed no signs of inflammation, hyalinization, fibrosis, or necrosis. Despite widespread degeneration, some normal tubules were present in focal areas. The severity score of seminiferous tubule degeneration significantly increased from day 56 onwards (P < 0.05), suggesting a gradual and progressive compromise of the seminiferous epithelium. In contrast, testes from the blank-NLC group exhibited normal spermatogenesis. Overall, there were no significant changes in the volume of dissected testes, serum testosterone levels, or apoptotic index in AM-NLC-treated cats (P > 0.05). In conclusion, this study represents the first in vivo investigation of apoptotic-inducing agents as a novel nanomedicine-based antifertility compound for non-surgical castration in male animals. While the AM-NLC formulation proved safe for intratesticular administration, it failed to induce infertility in cats, as epididymal spermatozoa persisted throughout the study. Further research into alternative apoptosis-inducing nanomedicine sterilants remains both essential and challenging.

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis combined with contralateral acute pyogenic orchitis: a rare case report

Xanthogranulomatous orchitis is a chronic, non-neoplastic inflammation that is quite rare. In this paper, we discuss the case of a 79-year-old male patient who presented with bilateral scrotum swelling and dysuria that persisted for two weeks. Despite two weeks of anti-infection treatment, the patient's symptoms persisted, leading to a decision to perform transurethral prostate resection and bilateral orchiectomy after careful consideration. After the surgery, the postoperative pathology indicated that the patient had xanthogranulomatous orchitis on the left side and acute positive orchitis with hemorrhage on the right side. Fortunately, three months after the procedure, the patient experienced no negative events and was pleased with the postoperative results.

Extent and pattern of symptom relief following surgical castration in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Tanzania: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundAdvanced prostate cancer leads to many symptoms, notably bone pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs); however, the degree and duration of pain relief, changes in LUTs severity and underlying factors associated with the extent of symptom relief remain inadequately understood. Surgical castration has proven effective in relieving both bone pain and urinary symptoms for metastatic prostate cancer patients.ObjectiveTo determine the extent and pattern of symptom relief in advanced prostate cancer patients following surgical castration at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study for a period of 6 months involving men with advanced Prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing surgical castration at MNH and followed them for 30 days. The international prostate symptoms score tool was used to assess changes in LUTs, and the pain rating scale was used for assessing changes in bone pain symptoms before and after surgery. Logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with complete bone pain relief.ResultsA total of 210 participants with a mean age of 72.3 years were recruited. The LUTS score showed a decrease of 7.1 points after surgical castration (95% CI: 6.4 to 7.7, p < 0.001). The bone pain score showed an absolute decrease of 39.8% (95% CI: 34.7 to 44.9, p < 0.001) after surgical castration, with more than half of the patients (111, 52.9%) reporting bone pain relief within the first two weeks. Among the factors associated with greater pain relief were being in a marital union (aOR 2.73, 95% CI: 1.26 to 5.89, p < 0.011). Normal BMI was also linked to pain relief in bivariate analysis (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.61, p < 0.035). Additionally, patients with severe bone pain before surgical castration were more likely to achieve complete pain relief compared to those with mild or moderate pain (odds ratio 8.32, 95% CI: 3.63 to 19.1, p < 0.001).ConclusionSurgical castration improves both bone pain and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Notably, patients experiencing severe bone pain reported resolution of bone pain symptoms within the first and second weeks, respectively, indicating the prompt effectiveness of the surgery on these symptoms.

Efficacy of silver-doped Carbon dots in Chemical Castration: a rat model study

This study evaluates silver-doped carbon dots (AgCDs) as a novel agent for chemical castration using a rat model. Six groups of rats (five males and ten females each, except for the surgical group which had only males) were utilized to compare the effects of different concentrations of AgCDs. The groups included control, sham, and three experimental groups injected with 1.25, 50, and 200 µg/mL AgCDs, respectively, along with a surgical castration group. Testosterone levels, sperm parameters, fertility index, oxidative damage, histopathological parameters, and gene expression of P53, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, AKT, and PI3K were analyzed. Results demonstrated that the high-dose AgCDs group significantly reduced testosterone levels, sperm concentration, and motility, resulting in a decreased fertility index. MDA and NO significantly increased, while CAT, SOD, GPx, and TAC significantly reduced in the chemically castrated groups. Histological and genes expression analysis also revealed apoptosis and testicular damage in the AgCDs groups, indicated by significant increases in P53, Bax, and Caspase-3 levels, and significant reductions in AKT, PI3K, and Bcl-2. Based on these findings, AgCDs could be considered a potent and efficient agent for chemical castration, offering a less invasive, cost-effective solution with potential applications for population control.

GnRH Immunocastration in Male Xizang Sheep: Impacts on Rumen Microbiome and Metabolite Profiles for Enhanced Health and Productivity.

Castration is a prevalent and indispensable practice in sheep husbandry, aiding in enhancing meat quality, mitigating aggressive behavior, and managing unwanted reproduction. Nevertheless, the conventional surgical castration procedure poses several challenges, including heightened stress and pain, detrimental impacts on animal welfare, and diminished economic efficacy in farming operations. Consequently, immunocastration methods, serving as substitutes for surgical castration, are progressively finding application in livestock. The rumen, an essential and distinctive digestive and absorptive organ in ruminants, has been associated with enhanced meat quality and productive performance following castration in previous research studies, albeit fewer investigations have explored the potential impacts of GnRH immunization on the rumen's internal milieu in sheep post-de-escalation. Hence, the present study delved into evaluating the impact of GnRH immunocastration on the rumen microbiome and metabolomics in male Xizang sheep. This was achieved through the establishment of a GnRH immunocastration animal model and the collection of rumen fluid for microbiological and comprehensive metabolomics investigations. The outcomes of this investigation unveiled that the impact of GnRH immunocastration on body weight gain was more pronounced during the achievement of the castration objective. In addition, the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidota ratio in the immune male (IM) group exceeded that of the control group (EM), suggesting that GnRH immunodeficiency may enhance the digestion and absorption of feed in male Xizang sheep. At the taxonomic level, the elevated presence of Prevotella and Quinella bacteria in the IM group compared to the EM group indicated that castration influenced a segment of the rumen microbiota in male Xizang sheep, thereby bolstering the digestive and metabolic efficacy of the rumen concerning nutrient utilization, particularly in the breakdown and absorption of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, ultimately expediting the fattening process and weight gain in male Xizang sheep following castration. Moreover, analysis of ruminal fluid metabolomics revealed that GnRH immunization had notable impacts on certain metabolites in the ruminal fluid of male Xizang sheep, with metabolites like 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and 3-hydroxyindole acetic acid showing significant downregulation in the IM group compared to the EM group, while niacin and tyramine exhibited significant upregulation. These findings indicate a profound influence of GnRH immunization on the maintenance of ruminal equilibrium and ruminal health (including the health of ruminal epithelial cells). This study validates that GnRH immunocastration not only achieves the objectives of castration but also enhances ruminal health in male Xizang sheep, thus laying a foundational theoretical basis for the application and dissemination of GnRH immunocastration technology.

Impact of Castration on the Sexual Life in Young Women at the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat, Morocco

Introduction: Castration, also referred to as hormonal suppression, is generally understood as the halt of hormone production by the ovaries in premenopausal women. This can occur through medical means, such as the administration of LH-RH agonists or antagonists that act reversibly on the hypothalamic- pituitary axis, or through surgical or radical methods that permanently eliminate hormonal production. Castration is primarily recommended for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Regardless of the approach used, it produces side effects akin to those experienced during menopause, including hot flashes, anxiety, depressive disorders, and trophic changes that may affect sexual function. Thus, our study seeks to investigate the effects of castration on sexual life in our patients undergoing treatment for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at a day hospital to assess the effects of mainly medical, but also surgical and radical castration on couple dynamics in 50 patients, averaging 40 years of age, who are being treated for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, regardless of whether it is localized or metastatic. Results: The majority of patients report experiencing side effects associated with castration, especially hot flashes, which affect nearly all patients, as well as depressive and anxiety disorders. However, it remains challenging to determine whether these issues are directly linked to the disease or its treatment. Additionally, many patients face sexual disturbances, including decreased libido and vaginal dryness, which significantly impact couple dynamics in almost 50% of cases. Conclusion: Investigating the effects of castration on sexuality, particularly regarding couple dynamics, highlights a significant yet sensitive topic. This issue, often considered taboo, represents a major side effect of prolonged treatment in long-term survivors. Therefore, it is essential to engage in regular discussions and collaborate with specialists, especially sexologists, to enhance tolerance and achieve lasting improvements in quality of life.

The effect of surgical and medical castration on penile erectile tissue: ultrastructural study

The effect of surgical and medical castration on penile erectile tissue: ultrastructural study

Behavioral Assessment Reveals GnRH Immunocastration as a Better Alternative to Surgical Castration.

Castration is often employed in animal management for reproductive control. However, it is important to evaluate its impact on animal welfare. In this study, we developed rat models for both surgical (n = 6) and GnRH immunocastration (n = 6) to assess the effects of these castration methods on physiological and behavioral characteristics. The novel GnRH-based vaccine significantly increased serum GnRH antibody levels and drastically reduced testosterone, with the testes shrinking to one-fifth the size of those in the control group, thereby halting spermatogenesis at the secondary spermatocyte stage. Behavioral evaluations demonstrated that sexual behavior was significantly suppressed in both surgically and immunologically castrated groups compared to the control, confirming the effectiveness of both methods. However, psychological tests revealed significant signs of depression and social deficits in the surgically castrated group, whereas the behavior of the GnRH-immunocastrated group did not significantly differ from the control. Furthermore, no significant differences in learning and memory were observed among the three groups in the water maze test. Compared to surgical castration, GnRH immunocastration offers effective results and better animal welfare, providing a more humane alternative for livestock management.