Animal Reproduction (AR)
https://www.animal-reproduction.org/article/doi/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0237
Animal Reproduction (AR)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Reproductive parameters of lambs immunocastrated with anti-GnRH vaccine

Laiara Fernandes Rocha; Rosileia Silva Souza; Ana Lúcia Almeida Santana; Diego Silva Macedo; Ariadne Marques Silva Santana; Roberta Carvalho da Silva; Poliana Almeida Bezerra; Ronival Dias Lima de Jesus; Larissa Pires Barbosa

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Abstract

  The objective of this study was to evaluate the testicular biometric, seminal, and plasma testosterone levels in lambs subjected to an anti-GnRH vaccine as a method of castration. Thirty entire, crossbred Santa Inês male lambs were randomly distributed into three treatment (T): T1 was the control group, with the administration of 1 mL of saline solution subcutaneously (SC); 1.0 and 0.5 mL of an anti-GnRH vaccine were administered SC in T2 and T3, respectively. Testicular biometric variables, physical and morphological variables of semen, and plasma testosterone concentrations were evaluated. At D60, there was a reduction in testicular length, width, thickness, and scrotal circumference of the immunocastrated animals regardless of the vaccine dose used (P < 0.05). A reduction in semen physical variables at both dosages (P < 0.05) was observed, with azoospermia, in 80% and 70% of animals in the T2 and T3 groups, respectively. At D60, the immunocastrated animals also showed an increase in spermatozoa defects (P < 0.05), whereas plasma testosterone concentration decreased (P < 0.05). Immunocastration of lambs using the Bopriva vaccine at doses of 1.0 and 0.5 mL is efficient in inducing azoospermia in up to 80% of animals, although two doses in a 30-day interval are necessary for it to be an effective and safe method. Efficacy was demonstrated through a reduction in serum testosterone levels, testicular biometry, and seminal fluid analysis. Considering the efficacy of both doses in this study, we recommend using the lower dose (0.5 mL), which will allow for a 50% reduction in vaccine costs.

Keywords

anti-GnRH vaccine, azoospermia, testicular biometry, testosterone

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Submitted date:
10/27/2020

Accepted date:
05/19/2021

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