Animal Reproduction (AR)
https://www.animal-reproduction.org/article/doi/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2021-0041
Animal Reproduction (AR)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Testicular morphometry as a tool to evaluate the efficiency of immunocastration in lambs

Laiara Fernandes Rocha; Ana Lúcia Almeida Santana; Rosiléia Silva Souza; Mariana Machado-Neves; José Carlos Oliveira Filho; Emilly Sabrina Cotrim dos Santos; Monna Lopes de Araujo; Taís Borges da Cruz; Larissa Pires Barbosa

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of immunocastration in lambs using testicular morphometry. Thirty lambs were randomly divided into two treatments (subcutaneous administration of 1.0 mL and 0.5 mL of an anti-GnRH vaccine) and a control group (1.0 mL saline solution). The animals were vaccinated at four months of age, received a second dose 30 days later, and were slaughtered 90 days after the first vaccine dose. After slaughter, testicles were collected, and samples were removed for histological processing and evaluation of testicular morphometric parameters. Analysis of variance, Tukey’s test, and Kruskal–Wallis test were performed, with a 5% level of significance. There was a reduction in testicular weight, gonadosomatic index, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, leydigosomatic index, and total tubule length. The total length per testicular gram increased in the immunocastrated group. Intrinsic spermatogenesis yield, Sertoli cell indices, and estimates of sperm and Sertoli cell production were reduced in the immunized groups (P < 0.05). The anti-GnRH vaccine in lambs at doses of 1.0 mL and 0.5 mL is sufficient to promote immunocastration, verified through severe changes in testicular morphometry from animals.

Keywords

immunocastration, lambs, testicular morphometry

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Submitted date:
04/27/2021

Accepted date:
04/12/2022

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