Clinical Evaluation of Non-surgical Sterilization of Male Cats with Single Intra-testicular Injection of Calcium Chloride

Abstract

BackgroundCalcium chloride solution is an established injectable sterilant in dogs and other mammals. With cat populations a continuing problem, we sought to explore its first use in cats. Six cats per group were injected with 5%, 10% or 20% calcium chloride dihydrate in saline solution with lignocaine hydrochloride, a local anaesthetic.ResultsAt the 60th day post-injection, cat testes were collected and showed complete testicular necrosis and replacement by fibrous tissue; very low sperm counts; and reduction of serum testosterone by at least 70% in 20% dose. Androgenic enzyme activities and their expressions were also reduced in all the treated groups along with intra-testicular testosterone concentration was also low. Increased testicular lipid peroxidation, with reduced antioxidants and mitochondrial membrane potential, were evident following calcium chloride treatments. However, there were no apparent changes in serum concentrations of cortisol, fasting blood sugar level, blood urea nitrogen, packed cell volume, or total serum protein following calcium chloride injection, suggesting that this method of sterilization is not associated with any general stress response.ConclusionCalcium chloride solution demonstrates potential for androgenesis-eliminating nonsurgical sterilization of male cats in addition to its proven efficacy in dogs and other mammals.

Intratesticular Injection of Calcium Chloride Is a Useful Alternative for Neutering the Male Dog

“…This effect was consistent with findings in cat, using 5% CaCl2 solution containing 1% lignocaine-HCl following 60 days after intratesticular injection (Jana and Samata, 2011). In some place there was complete loss of tubular architecture.…”

“…Similar finding was reported in cat after infiltration of 20% CaCl2 following 60 days after intratesticular injection (Jana and Samata, 2011). However, there was coagulative necrosis in the seminiferous epithelium and interstitial space as well as presence of degenerated and coagulated germ cells at other place as reported in cat (Jana and Samata, 2011). These histopathological changes were more severe in areas closest to the site of injection; this could be related to necrotizing property of CaCl2 (McGinnis et al, 1999) but less severe morphological changes distal to the site of injection leading to uneven distribution of damage and inconsistent affect on tubules.…”

“…However, the use of intratesticular injection of CaCl2 is simple, quick and well accepted by the dogs and rarely shows signs of pain. This may be due to afferent nerve ending associated with pain sensation being located only on the scrotal skin and in the capsule of testes rather than within the testicular and epididymal parenchyma (Jana and Samata, 2011). Moreover 1% lignocaine-HCl has also been used to subside the pain.…”

“…2B), and the volume of each testis was quantified by multiplying the length (cm) by width (cm 2 ) by 0.524. Total testicular volume (cm 3 ) was calculated by adding the volume of the right and left testis as described in an earlier study (Jana and Samata, 2011).…”

Evaluation of intra-testicular injections of calcium chloride and 4-vinylcyclohexene 1,2 monoepoxide for chemical sterilization in guinea pigs

“…Population management is ensured mainly by means of surgical castration, namely, orchidectomy. However, not only is surgical castration costly and time-consuming, but it also poses the risk of postoperative infection, which needs to be minimized by postoperative care (Jana and Samanta 2011). Although surgical castration does not cause any major problem in livestock, it may result in several complications, including postoperative hormonal imbalance, obesity, cardiac stress, urine incontinence, haemorrhage, ureter ligation, and behavioural changes in pet animals.…”