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.
Authors: Hamed Mohamed A, Amin Yahia A, Mohamed Ragab Hassan, El-Adl Mohamed, Bazeed Shefaa M, Elnegiry Ahmed Abdou, Shawki Hossam Hassan, Al-Lethie Al-Lethie A
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Chemical Castration in Donkeys Using Zinc Gluconate Researchers in Egypt compared zinc gluconate intra-testicular injection against conventional surgical castration in male donkeys, employing serum testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as key efficacy markers alongside ultrasonographic and histopathological assessment. Chemical castration represents an attractive alternative to surgery, potentially reducing anaesthetic risk and post-operative complications, yet evidence in equine species remains limited. The zinc gluconate protocol successfully induced azoospermia and sterility in treated animals, with AMH emerging as a particularly reliable endpoint for monitoring testicular suppression and validating castration success across both treatment groups. Practical applications for equine practitioners include the potential to offer clients a lower-risk option for donkeys with concurrent health conditions precluding surgery, though integration into standard protocols will depend on cost-effectiveness, ease of administration under field conditions, and longer-term follow-up data on hormonal stability and behavioural outcomes. This work opens the door to further investigation of chemical castration across other equine species, particularly where surgical intervention poses elevated risk.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Chemical castration via zinc gluconate injection offers a non-surgical alternative to traditional castration in donkeys, potentially reducing procedural stress and complications
- •Anti-Müllerian hormone levels can be reliably used to monitor castration success and confirm azoospermia achievement
- •This technique may be particularly valuable in situations where surgical castration is contraindicated or presents increased risk
Key Findings
- •Intra-testicular zinc gluconate injection successfully induced azoospermia and sterility in male donkeys as an alternative to surgical castration
- •Anti-Müllerian hormone and serum testosterone levels were used as effective endpoint markers to assess castration success
- •Testicular ultrasonographic echogenicity and histopathological changes confirmed chemical castration effectiveness compared to surgical methods