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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Evaluation of chemical castration using intra-testicular inj...
BMC veterinary research2023; 19(1); 140; doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03694-1

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: 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. Conclusions: 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.
© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-02 PubMed ID: 37660034PubMed Central: PMC10474774DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03694-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article evaluates chemical castration in male donkeys through the injection of zinc gluconate into the testes, comparing this method’s effectiveness with traditional surgical castration. The findings suggest that while chemical castration may induce changes in the donkey’s testicles, it does not significantly affect the animal’s testosterone or anti-Müllerian hormone levels, indicating it may not be a feasible alternative to surgical castration.

Research Method and Purpose

  • The study aimed to assess the efficacy of using zinc gluconate injections as a method for chemical castration in male donkeys and compare it with traditional surgical castration.
  • Fourteen adult male donkeys were split evenly into two groups: one group underwent surgical castration, while the other received intra-testicular injections of zinc gluconate.
  • The research evaluated the effects of these procedures on the donkeys’ behavior, the appearance of their external genitalia, and their serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels over a 60-day observation period.
  • The team also performed an ultrasonographic examination and histopathological investigation on the testicles of the chemically castrated donkeys.

Findings

  • The researchers found that testosterone levels decreased significantly in the surgically castrated donkeys, while the decrease in the chemically castrated animals was not statistically significant.
  • Similarly, anti-Müllerian hormone levels were much lower in the surgically castrated group but showed a non-significant increase in the chemically castrated group.
  • Through the ultrasonographic examination, the researchers noticed changes in the testicular echo-density of the chemically castrated donkeys, indicated by scattered hyperechoic regions throughout the testes.
  • The histopathological examination revealed damage to the spermatogenic epithelium, an increased thickness of the seminiferous tubules’ basement membrane, significant interstitial fibrosis, and shrinkage of the seminiferous tubules. The presence of syncytial giant cells associated with Sertoli cell vacuolation was also confirmed.
  • The donkeys subjected to chemical castration developed orchitis, an inflammation of the testicles, which was verified histopathologically.

Conclusion

  • While intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate caused changes in the donkeys’ testes that may potentially affect their reproductive capabilities, it did not have a significant impact on serum testosterone or AMH levels.
  • This finding suggests that chemical castration using zinc gluconate may not be a viable alternative to surgical castration in male donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Hamed MA, Amin YA, Mohamed RH, El-Adl M, Bazeed SM, Elnegiry AA, Shawki HH, Al-Lethie AA. (2023). 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 Vet Res, 19(1), 140. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03694-1

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Pages: 140
PII: 140

Researcher Affiliations

Hamed, Mohamed A
  • Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
Amin, Yahia A
  • Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt. dr.yahiaamin@vet.aswu.edu.eg.
Mohamed, Ragab Hassan
  • Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
El-Adl, Mohamed
  • Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
Bazeed, Shefaa M
  • Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Badr university, Badr, Cairo, Egypt.
Elnegiry, Ahmed Abdou
  • Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
Shawki, Hossam Hassan
  • Department of Animal Genetic Resources, National Gene Bank, Giza, Egyp, Egypt.
Al-Lethie, Al-Lethie A
  • Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.

MeSH Terms

  • Male
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Testis / diagnostic imaging
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone
  • Equidae
  • Orchiectomy / veterinary
  • Testosterone

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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