Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest
Abstract Background The present study investigated whether the administration of the progestin altrenogest provides noninvasive, temporary, and reversible suppression of gonadal function in the goat as a potential alternative to chirurgical castration, which is related with irreversibility, risks of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02845-6 |
| _version_ | 1818646244244848640 |
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| author | Lisa Mihsler-Kirsch Henrik Wagner Klaus Failing Axel Wehrend |
| author_facet | Lisa Mihsler-Kirsch Henrik Wagner Klaus Failing Axel Wehrend |
| author_sort | Lisa Mihsler-Kirsch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The present study investigated whether the administration of the progestin altrenogest provides noninvasive, temporary, and reversible suppression of gonadal function in the goat as a potential alternative to chirurgical castration, which is related with irreversibility, risks of complications till death of the animal and welfare issues. Eight sexually mature Peacock goats were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was administered altrenogest (0.088 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 weeks. The remaining four goats received an oral glucose solution and served as the control group. After completing the administration period, the reversibility of the medication was evaluated for another 7 weeks (observation phase). The treatment effects were assessed by clinical examination; ultrasound examination of the testes, including one-dimensional grayscale analysis, blood testosterone levels, analysis of semen parameters and libido. At the end of the observation period, the animals were castrated and the testicles were examined histologically. Results Altrenogest treatment had no significant effect on the physical development of the goats, the sonographic appearance of the testes, the gray values measured in the ultrasound images, or the blood testosterone levels. The effects of treatment on the testicular and semen parameters varied widely in the experimental animals; the testicle volume was significantly lower and the number of pathologically altered sperm in the ejaculate was significantly higher in treated animals. Conclusion These findings indicate that daily altrenogest administration at a dose of 0.088 mg/kg does not reliably suppress gonadal function in the goat. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T00:43:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ea91916496744ea9b86747f883451b6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T00:43:33Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ea91916496744ea9b86747f883451b62022-12-21T22:09:57ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482021-05-011711710.1186/s12917-021-02845-6Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogestLisa Mihsler-Kirsch0Henrik Wagner1Klaus Failing2Axel Wehrend3Clinic of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals with Ambulatory Service, Justus Liebig University GiessenClinic of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals with Ambulatory Service, Justus Liebig University GiessenAG Biomathematics and Data Processing, Justus Liebig University GiessenClinic of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals with Ambulatory Service, Justus Liebig University GiessenAbstract Background The present study investigated whether the administration of the progestin altrenogest provides noninvasive, temporary, and reversible suppression of gonadal function in the goat as a potential alternative to chirurgical castration, which is related with irreversibility, risks of complications till death of the animal and welfare issues. Eight sexually mature Peacock goats were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was administered altrenogest (0.088 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 weeks. The remaining four goats received an oral glucose solution and served as the control group. After completing the administration period, the reversibility of the medication was evaluated for another 7 weeks (observation phase). The treatment effects were assessed by clinical examination; ultrasound examination of the testes, including one-dimensional grayscale analysis, blood testosterone levels, analysis of semen parameters and libido. At the end of the observation period, the animals were castrated and the testicles were examined histologically. Results Altrenogest treatment had no significant effect on the physical development of the goats, the sonographic appearance of the testes, the gray values measured in the ultrasound images, or the blood testosterone levels. The effects of treatment on the testicular and semen parameters varied widely in the experimental animals; the testicle volume was significantly lower and the number of pathologically altered sperm in the ejaculate was significantly higher in treated animals. Conclusion These findings indicate that daily altrenogest administration at a dose of 0.088 mg/kg does not reliably suppress gonadal function in the goat.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02845-6AltrenogestGoatDownregulationGonadal functionCastration |
| spellingShingle | Lisa Mihsler-Kirsch Henrik Wagner Klaus Failing Axel Wehrend Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest BMC Veterinary Research Altrenogest Goat Downregulation Gonadal function Castration |
| title | Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest |
| title_full | Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest |
| title_fullStr | Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest |
| title_full_unstemmed | Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest |
| title_short | Downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest |
| title_sort | downregulation of testicular function in the goat by altrenogest |
| topic | Altrenogest Goat Downregulation Gonadal function Castration |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02845-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lisamihslerkirsch downregulationoftesticularfunctioninthegoatbyaltrenogest AT henrikwagner downregulationoftesticularfunctioninthegoatbyaltrenogest AT klausfailing downregulationoftesticularfunctioninthegoatbyaltrenogest AT axelwehrend downregulationoftesticularfunctioninthegoatbyaltrenogest |