Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker
Abstract Background Chemical castration of male animals is an alternative to surgical castration for inducing azoospermia, consequent sterility. Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate has been used for chemical castration in several animal species. However, its application to equine species, s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-09-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03694-1 |
| _version_ | 1797452236213714944 |
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| author | Mohamed A. Hamed Yahia A. Amin Ragab Hassan Mohamed Mohamed El-Adl Shefaa M. Bazeed Ahmed Abdou Elnegiry Hossam Hassan Shawki Al-Lethie A. Al-lethie |
| author_facet | Mohamed A. Hamed Yahia A. Amin Ragab Hassan Mohamed Mohamed El-Adl Shefaa M. Bazeed Ahmed Abdou Elnegiry Hossam Hassan Shawki Al-Lethie A. Al-lethie |
| author_sort | Mohamed A. Hamed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Chemical castration of male animals is an alternative to surgical castration for inducing azoospermia, consequent sterility. Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate has been used for chemical castration in several animal species. However, its application to equine species, such as donkeys, has yet to be reported. This study aimed to evaluate the use of zinc gluconate for the chemical castration of male donkeys and to compare its effectiveness relative to routine surgical castration. For this purpose, investigations of serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone levels, testicular ultrasonographic echogenicity, and histopathological findings were performed. Methods Fourteen clinically healthy adult male donkeys were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The donkeys in group I (n = 7) underwent surgical castration. The donkeys in group II (n = 7) received intra-testicular zinc gluconate injections. The donkeys were kept under close clinical observation for 60 days. Abnormalities in donkey behavior and gross alterations in the external genitalia were recorded daily. Serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured 15 days before the start of the treatment and 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after treatment. The testicles of group II donkeys were evaluated ultrasonographically. At the end of the study, the testes were removed and histologically examined. Results Serum testosterone levels significantly declined compared to pre-castration levels in surgically castrated donkeys (group I), but donkeys exposed to chemical castration (group II) showed a non-significant reduction in testosterone levels. Donkeys in the surgical group had considerably lower serum AMH levels. In contrast, there was a non-significant (p > 0.05) increase in AMH levels in the chemical group compared with the pre-sterilization level. In addition, ultrasonographic examination revealed that the testicular echo-density had changed, as observed by a few scattered hyperechoic regions throughout the entire testis parenchyma. The histopathological investigation confirmed the presence of necrosis of the spermatogenic epithelium, increased thickness of the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules, marked interstitial fibrosis, and shrinkage of the seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, syncytial giant cells were present in the lumen of seminiferous tubules and were associated with Sertoli cell vacuolation. Donkeys subjected to chemical castration (group II) had orchitis, as confirmed histopathologically. Conclusion Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate resulted in histopathological and ultrasonographic testicular changes in adult male donkeys, which may affect their reproductive potential. However, it did not significantly alter serum testosterone or AMH levels, indicating that it cannot be used as a substitute for surgical castration in male donkeys. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:05:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60d54d1b405046bfb65a383c5292e92b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:05:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
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| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-60d54d1b405046bfb65a383c5292e92b2023-11-26T13:38:04ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482023-09-011911910.1186/s12917-023-03694-1Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint markerMohamed A. Hamed0Yahia A. Amin1Ragab Hassan Mohamed2Mohamed El-Adl3Shefaa M. Bazeed4Ahmed Abdou Elnegiry5Hossam Hassan Shawki6Al-Lethie A. Al-lethie7Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan UniversityDepartment of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan UniversityDepartment of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDepartment of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan UniversityDepartment of Animal Genetic Resources, National Gene BankDepartment of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan UniversityAbstract Background Chemical castration of male animals is an alternative to surgical castration for inducing azoospermia, consequent sterility. Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate has been used for chemical castration in several animal species. However, its application to equine species, such as donkeys, has yet to be reported. This study aimed to evaluate the use of zinc gluconate for the chemical castration of male donkeys and to compare its effectiveness relative to routine surgical castration. For this purpose, investigations of serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone levels, testicular ultrasonographic echogenicity, and histopathological findings were performed. Methods Fourteen clinically healthy adult male donkeys were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The donkeys in group I (n = 7) underwent surgical castration. The donkeys in group II (n = 7) received intra-testicular zinc gluconate injections. The donkeys were kept under close clinical observation for 60 days. Abnormalities in donkey behavior and gross alterations in the external genitalia were recorded daily. Serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured 15 days before the start of the treatment and 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after treatment. The testicles of group II donkeys were evaluated ultrasonographically. At the end of the study, the testes were removed and histologically examined. Results Serum testosterone levels significantly declined compared to pre-castration levels in surgically castrated donkeys (group I), but donkeys exposed to chemical castration (group II) showed a non-significant reduction in testosterone levels. Donkeys in the surgical group had considerably lower serum AMH levels. In contrast, there was a non-significant (p > 0.05) increase in AMH levels in the chemical group compared with the pre-sterilization level. In addition, ultrasonographic examination revealed that the testicular echo-density had changed, as observed by a few scattered hyperechoic regions throughout the entire testis parenchyma. The histopathological investigation confirmed the presence of necrosis of the spermatogenic epithelium, increased thickness of the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules, marked interstitial fibrosis, and shrinkage of the seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, syncytial giant cells were present in the lumen of seminiferous tubules and were associated with Sertoli cell vacuolation. Donkeys subjected to chemical castration (group II) had orchitis, as confirmed histopathologically. Conclusion Intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate resulted in histopathological and ultrasonographic testicular changes in adult male donkeys, which may affect their reproductive potential. However, it did not significantly alter serum testosterone or AMH levels, indicating that it cannot be used as a substitute for surgical castration in male donkeys.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03694-1TestisCastrationDonkeysZinc gluconateAnti-mullerian hormoneTestosterone |
| spellingShingle | Mohamed A. Hamed Yahia A. Amin Ragab Hassan Mohamed Mohamed El-Adl Shefaa M. Bazeed Ahmed Abdou Elnegiry Hossam Hassan Shawki Al-Lethie A. Al-lethie Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker BMC Veterinary Research Testis Castration Donkeys Zinc gluconate Anti-mullerian hormone Testosterone |
| title | Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker |
| title_full | Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker |
| title_short | Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration: antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker |
| title_sort | evaluation of chemical castration using intra testicular injection of zinc gluconate into the testis of the male donkey versus surgical castration antimullerian hormone as an endpoint marker |
| topic | Testis Castration Donkeys Zinc gluconate Anti-mullerian hormone Testosterone |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03694-1 |
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