An evaluation of calf castration by intra‐testicular injection of a lactic acid solution

Abstract

This experiment evaluated intra-testicular injection of a sclerosing drug, lactic acid, for castration of bulls. Its use was compared in 58 Brahman cross calves (50 to 128kg) with the general practice of open surgical castration. Chemical castration appeared to be more painful than surgical castration, though post-operative swelling and pain appeared similar for both methods. Chemical castration took 3 times longer than surgical castration (58 sec v 20 sec; P less than 0.01). Scrotal necrosis occurred in 25% of chemically-castrated calves and appeared due to drug leakage from the testes under the high pressure of injection. Healing time for chemical castrates was approximately twice that for surgical castrates. Five chemically-castrated calves (18%) retained one testis. Though all 5 were rendered sterile, each maintained androgenesis. This led to secondary male behaviour which caused management problems. Castration method did not influence post-operative growth. It is concluded that lactic acid administration is not a suitable alternative to the open surgical technique for castration of Brahman cross calves.

Efficacy of chemical castration and effects of age at castration and implant regime on growth rate, testicular measurements and testosterone levels of beef calves

“…Dawkins (1980) questioned whether stress was a normal response to environmental influences or an indication of a pathological condition. Castration is one such environmentai influence imposed on calves to induce sterility and reduce agonistic behaviour (Hinch 1980) and the incidence ofdark coloured meat which is caused by greater stress susceptibiliW in bulls compared with steers at slauehter (Field 197 Mercy et al 1985) and castration by injection of lictic acid into the parenchyma of the testicle has also been reported (Cohen et al 1985;Hill et al 1995;Fordyce et al 1989). Recently, Cohen et al (1990) Godfrey et al (1989) (SAS 1985).…”

An Undescribed Scalding, “Çökelek” Burns in Turkish Children: Is Acidic Effect the Reason of High Mortality and Double-Hit Injury?

“…8,9 Lactic acid was also used as a sclerosing agent for chemical castration of bulls with 25% scrotal necrosis caused by drug leakage from the testes under the high pressure of injection. 10 Lactic acid in çökelek is less acid than that of apple juice (3.0), vinegar (3.0), and lemon juice (2.0), and none of which burn either our skin or our mouths when the skin and mucosa are intact. Weak acids like apple juice, lemon juice, and vinegar as well lactic acid even in low concentrations are chemical irritants when the integrity and constitution of the skin and mucosa is broken by thermal and mechanical injury.…”

Chemical sterilisation of Bos indicus bull calves following intratesticular injection of zinc acetate: Effects on growth and concentrations of testosterone

“…Sterilization using chemical substances injected into the testes has been attempted as an alternative to surgical castration in a variety of domestic and laboratory animal species, including bulls (Fordyce et al, 1989;Canpolat et al, 2006), with variable responses being reported (Kutzler and Wood, 2006;Massei and Miller, 2013). Intra-testicular administration of zinc gluconate are effective in inducing sterility in dogs (Oliveira et al, 2007;Soto et al, 2009) with no or a small percentage (<4%) of dogs being reported to experience pain or discomfort during or after injection (Tepsumethanon et al, 2005;Soto et al, 2007;Oliveira et al, 2012).…”