Laparoscopic methods for castration of equids.

This study evaluated two laparoscopic techniques for castrating horses, finding that both methods effectively removed or destroyed testicular function without any surgical complications.

Research Methods

• This study was a prospective, randomized trial involving six sexually intact male ponies.
• Each pony was anesthetized and placed in dorsal recumbency – a position where the pony lays on its back.
• By means of restricted randomization, one testis in each pony was selected to undergo in situ destruction, meaning vascular cauterization and ligation were performed with the testis left in the body; the other testis was pulled back into the abdomen and removed.
• Both baseline and stimulated testosterone concentrations were measured before and after surgery in order to verify the success of the castration.
• The ponies were eventually euthanized and the testes that had been left in situ were examined histologically, essentially looking at their microscopic anatomy.

Results

• There were no observed surgical complications in any of the ponies.
• The post-operative baseline and stimulated testosterone concentrations in all subjects confirmed successful castration.
• The retained testes all experienced coagulative necrosis, a form of cell death that results from blocked or damaged blood supply.

Conclusions

• The study demonstrated that in ponies and juvenile stallions, normally descended testes can be effectively removed using laparoscopic techniques.
• The research additionally showed that nonpalpable inguinal testes can be left in situ after laparoscopically ligating and transecting the testicular artery and vein, causing the testis to undergo coagulative necrosis and rendering it inactive.
• The researchers call for further experience with these approaches prior to recommending their use in mature stallions.