Application of a laparoscopic technique for vasectomy in standing horses.

The research describes a study wherein a laparoscopic technique for vasectomy was performed on stallions successfully, allowing the horses to maintain natural behaviour without reproducing.

Research Method

• The researchers conducted a preliminary study using two male horses before applying the procedure on two clinical cases.
• The stallion owners chose to have the horses undergo the procedure as they wanted to preserve their animals’ natural behaviour but without the risk of reproduction.

Procedure

• The horses were sedated and restrained for the duration of the procedure.
• The laparoscopic vasectomy was carried out through three portal sites on both paralumbar fossae, near the kidney region on the horse’s flank.
• A specific portion (4 cm) of each ductus deferens, the duct which carries sperm from the testes, was sealed off using a laparoscopic vessel-sealing device and then excised.
• The overall surgical time for this process was averaged at 20 minutes for each duct.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Before and after the procedure (15 and 60 days later), semen samples were collected from the horses using an artificial vagina. This was done to conduct a spermiogram, an evaluation of sperm health and count.
• Researchers analyzed both sexual behaviour and the spermiogram results.

Findings and Conclusion

• The follow-up evaluation of experimental horses after two months revealed that the surgical site had healed properly.
• There were no intraoperative complications during the laparoscopic vasectomy.
• The success of the procedure was confirmed through the absence of sperm in the ejaculate 60 days post-operation (azoospermia).
• It is reported that such an application of laparoscopic technique on horses for vasectomy was described for the first time in this study.