Evaluation of Pinhole castration as an alternative technique for goat sterilization

La ligature in situ du cordon spermatique (Castration Pinhole) a été décrite comme une technique originale peu invasive de castration des veaux. La présente étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer le stress, la morphologie des testicules et l’efficacité de la méthode sur des boucs adultes cliniquement sains. Les animaux (n = 15, âgés de 1 à 1,5 ans) ont été divisés en 3 groupes de 5. Groupe 1 = contrôle (aucun traitement), groupe 2 = castration chirurgicale et groupe 3 = castration pinhole. Les animaux ont été surveillés quotidiennement à travers des examens cliniques de stress et d’un dosage du cortisol plasmatique. L’efficacité de la méthode a été évaluée par l’étude des caractéristiques séminales et des changements morphologiques de testicules. Les boucs qui ont subi la castration pinhole ont montré une élévation du cortisol plasmatique et des le 7ème jour,ont été azoospermiques et ont manifestés l’atrophie testiculaire. Les sections histologiques ont montré une nécrose ischémique complète.Nous avons conclu que la castration pinhole est applicable chez les boucs car elle est simple, peu invasive, efficace et moins stressante par rapport à la chirurgie. Elle peut être employée comme une alternative convenable à la castration chirurgicale chez les chèvres.In situ spermatic cord ligation (Pinhole castration) has been described as a novel, minimally invasive technique in calf castration. The current study evaluated stress, testicular morphology and effectiveness of the method in clinically healthy adult goats. Bucks (n = 15, 1-1.5 years old) were divided in to 3 groups of 5. Group 1 = control (no treatment), group 2 = surgical castration and group 3 = pinhole castration. In situ spermaticcord ligation (pinhole technique) was performed in accordance with the procedure described by Ponvijay (2007). Animals were monitored through daily clinical examinations for behavioral indicators of stress in addition to assay of plasma cortisol. Effectiveness of method was assessed through evaluation of seminal characteristics and testicular morphologic changes. All pinhole castrated goats showed elevation in plasma cortisoland by day 7, were azoospermic and manifested testicular atrophy. Histological sections revealed complete ischemic necrosis.We concluded that pinhole castration is applicable in goats for it is simple,  minimally invasive, effective and less stressful compared to surgery. It may be employed as a suitable alternative to surgical castration in goats

An Evaluation of Pinhole Castration as an Alternative Technique for Dog Population Control in Resource-Poor Communities

We evaluated pinhole castration as an alternative technique for dog population control in resource poor rural communities of Gulu, Northern Uganda. Through a campaign dubbed ‘Big Fix Gulu’, households in selected communities were mobilized using radio announcements, posters and school visits, to present dogs for mass sterilization during community mobile spay/neuter clinics. All male dogs presented were sterilized using the pinhole method under xylazine-thiopental anesthesia. Castrated dogs were closely monitored for up to five days after castration. In 12 days, 278 dogs were castrated. The mean duration for pinhole procedure was 11.4 minutes. Duration of pinhole castration reduced significantly (p<0.05) with increase in dog weight. Each pinhole procedure cost approximately 2.12 United States dollars. The cost significantly (p<0.05) increased with increase in dog weight. Post-operative complications were reported in 23 (8.30%) dogs 2-3 days after castration. These included painful swelling of the testes and dullness of castrated dogs. There was unilateral testicular atrophy in two (0.72%) cases three (3) months after castration. We concluded that pinhole castration is indeed a simple, cheap and effective alternative for mass dog castration; the technique could be adopted for dog population in developing countries.Keywords: Dogs, mass sterilization, poor communities, pinhole castratio