Chemical castration with formalin versus surgical castration in dogs [electronic resource]: hormonal, seminal fluid, cellular stress response, and testicular tissue alterations

Includes bibliographic reference.

Aim: Castration is almost the only way to reduce pet overpopulation. Dog overpopulation
and stray dogs are global issues that harm both public health and animal welfare. As a result,
the current study sought to provide alternate surgical castration approaches, if viable. Also
included is a comparison between surgical and pharmacological castration.
Methods: Under the anaesthetic effect of intravenous (IV) 2% xylazine HCl (1 mg/kg) and
5% ketamine HCl (10 mg/kg), standard surgical castration and intra-testicular injections were
done. The dogs were positioned dorsally recumbent. Using a 24-gauge, 2.4 cm sterile needle,
a 10% formalin solution was placed within the testes (2 ml / testis).
Results: Clinical follow-up in the formalin group demonstrated edema and redness in the
scrotum and prepuce following injection, according to the findings. In the formalin group, a
dog developed a little scrotal ulcer. In the current study, blood testosterone concentrations in
the formalin and surgery groups fell considerably at the end of the experiment compared to
day 0. Cortisol levels were elevated at the start of the trial and thereafter returned to normal.
Histopathological evaluation of the testes in the formalin group, showing necrosis of
seminiferous tubules. In addition, oxidative stress markers rose in both the formalin and
surgical groups and steadily reduced towards the conclusion of the trial. Histopathological
evaluation of the testes in formalin group showing necrosis of seminiferous tubules
Conclusion: Based on the seminal and biochemical assessments in this work, intratesticular
injection of 10% formalin (2 ml) seemed successful for chemical sterilization of dogs and
applicable on a broad scale.

Keywords: Chemical castration, oxidative stress, formalin.

Summary in Arabic