Seminoperitoneum in a Dog with a History of a Vasectomy: Case Report.

An 8 yr old male German shorthaired pointer was presented on July 4, 2022, for acute abdominal and testicular pain. The dog was vasectomized at an unknown age under the care of his previous owners. The dog had an enlarged, painful left testis, scrotal edema, and an enlarged, nonpainful prostate. Abdominal ultrasound revealed mild peritoneal and retroperitoneal effusion, orchiepididymitis, enlarged ductus deferentes and testicles, and suspected benign prostatic hyperplasia versus prostatitis. Peritoneal effusion cytology revealed seminoperitoneum with marked neutrophilic inflammation. Peritoneal effusion aerobic culture and Brucella canis rapid slide agglutination test were negative. The dog was hospitalized overnight with IV antibiotic therapy and analgesics. The following day, the dog's abdominal pain, testicular pain, and scrotal edema were resolved. The dog was discharged and castrated after completion of antibiotic therapy and complete resolution of clinical signs. Testicular histopathology results were not available. Seminoperitoneum is uncommon in dogs and is a rare diagnosis for dogs with acute abdominal pain. This is the second known reported case of a seminoperitoneum in a vasectomized dog.

Four Different Surgical Approaches to Vasectomies in Male Texas Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus texanus) and Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

Vasectomies render a male sterile and have been used for various management purposes, including conservation efforts. This report evaluated 4 different surgical approaches (external approach, internal approach with dissection, internal approach with cautery, and internal approach caudally) to perform 177 vasectomies in Texas bobwhite (Colinus virginianus texanus; n = 171) and northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus; n = 6) in a field setting. Birds were not randomized into groups for the different approaches. Survival was recorded in 83% (147/177) of the birds. The most common cause of death was hemorrhage from the common iliac vein due to damage during the surgical procedure. Other causes for death included transection of the ureter, parasitism, euthanasia, and undetermined causes. The approach that had the highest survival rate (89.8%, 132/147) was the internal approach with cautery, and based on these results the authors recommend this approach for vasectomies in Texas and northern bobwhite quail.

Vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay in dogs: comparison of health and behavior outcomes with gonadectomized and sexually intact dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare health and behavior outcomes for dogs that underwent vasectomy or ovary-sparing spay (hysterectomy) with sexually intact dogs or dogs that had undergone traditional castration or spay. SAMPLE: 6,018 dog owners responded to a web-based survey between November 3, 2021, and January 7, 2022. PROCEDURES: Participants were asked demographic questions and to provide information about 1 or more dogs (living or deceased). Options for reproductive status were as follows: sexually intact, castrated, spayed (ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy), vasectomy, or ovary-sparing spay (hysterectomy). Participants were asked questions about orthopedic and other health problems, cancer, and problematic behavior. Logistic regression models, survival analyses, and descriptive statistics were used to assess relationships between reproductive status and outcomes. RESULTS: Owners provided valid surveys for 6,018 dogs, including 1,056 sexually intact, 1,672 castrated, and 58 vasectomized male dogs and 792 sexually intact, 2,281 spayed, and 159 female dogs that had undergone ovary-sparing spay. Longer exposure to gonadal hormones, regardless of reproductive status, was associated with reduced odds of general health problems and both problematic and nuisance behaviors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this study provides the first data on health and behavior outcomes of vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay in dogs and is the first to compare these outcomes to sexually intact and gonadectomized dogs. It adds to accumulating data on the mixed benefits and risks of removing the gonads to prevent reproduction and emphasizes the importance of developing an informed, case-by-case assessment of each patient, taking into consideration the potential risks and benefits of spaying or neutering and alternative reproductive surgeries.

Replacement of surgical vasectomy through the use of wild-type sterile hybrids.

For the production and rederivation of mouse strains, pseudopregnant female mice are used for embryo transfer and serve as surrogate mothers to support embryo development to term. Vasectomized males are commonly used to render pseudopregnancy in females, generated by surgical procedures associated with considerable pain and discomfort. Genetically modified mouse strains with a sterility phenotype provide a non-surgical replacement and represent an important application of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). However, the maintenance of such genetically modified mouse strains requires extensive breeding and genotyping procedures, which are regulated procedures under national legislation. As an alternative, we have explored the use of sterile male hybrids that result when two wild-type mouse subspecies, Mus musculus musculus and Mus musculus domesticus, interbreed. We find the male STUSB6F1 hybrid, resulting from the mating of female STUS/Fore with male C57BL/6J, ideally suited and demonstrate that its performance for the production of oviduct and uterine transfer recipients is indistinguishable when compared to surgically vasectomized mice. The use of these sterile hybrids avoids the necessity for surgical procedures or the breeding of sterile genetically modified lines and can be generated by the simple mating of two wild-type laboratory strains-a non-regulated procedure. Furthermore, in contrast with the breeding of genetically sterile mice, all male offspring are sterile and suitable for the generation of pseudopregnancy, allowing their efficient production with minimal breeding pairs.

Comparison of midazolam and butorphanol combined with ketamine or dexmedetomidine for chemical restraint in howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) for vasectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated and compared cardiorespiratory and blood gas parameters, as well as sedation, analgesia and recovery of two protocols: ketamine (10 mg/kg) or dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg), with midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg), IM (KBM and DBM, respectively) in brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve brown howler monkeys were selected in two groups and evaluated for cardiorespiratory parameters and sedation, from 5-30 minutes after latency. Blood gas and arterial lactate were taken at 5 and 30 minutes. In the end, time and quality of recovery were evaluated. RESULTS: The HR in DBM group was significantly lower at all times. The sedation score was higher in DBM. Recovery in DBM was faster. All animals had moderate hypoxaemia. CONCLUSION: Both protocols produce satisfactory anaesthesia and analgesia, but DBM provides deeper sedation with faster recovery. Oxygen supplementation is recommended in both due to hypoxaemia.

Untargeted metabolomic profiling of accessory sex gland fluid from Morada Nova rams.

The present study was conducted to characterize the metabolome of accessory gland fluid (AGF) of locally adapted Morada Nova rams, raised in the Brazilian Northeast. AGF was collected by an artificial vagina from five vasectomized rams. Metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS), with the support of Human Metabolome Database, PubChem, LIPID Metabolites, Pathways Strategy databases, and MetaboAnalyst platforms. There were 182 and 190 metabolites detected by GC/MS and LC/MS, respectively, with an overlap of one molecule. Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the most abundant class of metabolites in the ram AGF (127 compounds), followed by amino acids, peptides, and analogs(103 metabolites). Considering all GC/MS and LC/MS, fructose, glycerol, citric acid, d-mannitol, d-glucose, and l-(+)-lactic acid were the most abundant single metabolites present in the ram AGF. Meaningful pathways associated with AGF metabolites included glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis; galactose metabolism; glutamate metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism, and so forth. In conclusion, the combined use of LC/MS and GC/MS was essential for getting a holistic view of the compounds embedded in the ram AGF. Chemical analysis of the accessory sex gland secretion is relevant for understanding sperm function and fertilization.

Open/close-ended vasectomy technique by single incision on vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus).

Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), considered a species of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are widely maintained at primate sanctuaries in South Africa. Permanent surgical contraception is a necessary method for the management of this species in captivity. In this study, a new vasectomy technique was evaluated and involves a prescrotal approach with only one surgical incision, aiming to excise a piece of vas deferens, leaving open the testicular side, and creating a loop on the prostatic side to avoid future recanalization. The birth rate was studied to assess the success of the technique. This technique significantly reduced breeding in the study population from 33 births in the first year to four births during the last year of the study. These results show that this type of vasectomy is a fast, simple, and safe technique for controlling monkey populations in sanctuaries.

Female Urine-induced Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Male C57BL/6J Mice as a Proxy Indicator for Postoperative Pain.

Objectively recognizing postoperative pain in mice is challenging, making it difficult to determine an appropriate postoperative analgesic regimen. Adult male mice produce ultrasonic vocalizations after exposure to adult female urine (FiUSV). To determine if FiUSV can be used as a indicator of postoperative pain, FiUSV produced by male C57BL/6J mice were assessed for 5 d before and after vasectomy or sham surgery with or without sustained-release buprenorphine. Postoperative pain was assessed by monitoring vocalization using an ultrasonic microphone and by evaluating orbital tightness, posture, and piloerection at postoperative time points. Before vasectomy or sham surgery, 25 of 38 male mice produced FiUSV on 4 of 5 d (143 ± 93 FiUSV). Vasectomized mice without postoperative analgesia produced significantly fewer FiUSV (59 ± 26 FiUSV) compared with baseline (212 ± 102 FiUSV) at 4 h postoperatively, but returned to baseline by 28 h. Vasectomized mice treated with buprenorphine and sham-surgery mice had no change in FiUSV from baseline at any time point after surgery. Activity was decreased compared with baseline in vasectomized mice, regardless of receiving postoperative analgesia or not, but only at the 4-h time point. There were no differences in behavior scores between vasectomized mice and sham-surgery mice at any time point. These results show that FiUSV can be used to detect postoperative pain in male C57BL/6J mice after vasectomy.

Application of a laparoscopic technique for vasectomy in standing horses.

This report describes a technique for standing laparoscopic vasectomy in stallions through a prospective descriptive study. A preliminary study was carried out with two experimental intact male horses and subsequently the procedure was performed in two clinical cases. These horse owners want to keep their animals in the most possible natural way, preserving its stallion behaviour in a herd without generating offspring. The horses were sedated and restrained in stocks and laparoscopic vasectomy was performed using three portal sites in both paralumbar fossae recording surgical times. A 4-cm segment of each ductus deferens (DD) was occluded with laparoscopic vessel sealing devices and subsequently excised. Semen collection was performed using an artificial vagina before the laparoscopic procedure and at 15 and 60 days postoperatively. Sexual behaviour and spermiogram were analysed. Two months after vasectomy, control laparoscopy was performed in experimental horses to assess the surgical site. Bilateral vasectomy could be performed without intraoperative complications in a mean surgical time of 20 min per DD. Success of the procedure was confirmed in all cases by azoospermic ejaculates 60 days after vasectomy. This is the first time that the technique for laparoscopic vasectomy is described in horses.

Early reversal of ketamine/dexmedetomidine chemical immobilization by atipamezole in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas).

BACKGROUND: A smooth and rapid recovery from anesthesia allowing safe release is desirable, especially for wild species. This study describes the clinical effects of the combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine and the partial reversal with atipamezole in golden-headed lion tamarins. METHODS: Dexmedetomidine 10 µg kg-1 and ketamine 15 mg kg-1 were administered to 45 golden-headed lion tamarins undergoing vasectomy. Following surgery, animals were assigned to three groups: control (SAL; 0.9% NaCl), atipamezole 20 µg kg-1 (ATI20), and atipamezole 40 µg kg-1 (ATI40). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All animals presented great scores of sedation and muscle relaxation during the procedure. Recovery in the control group was smooth and uneventful. Salivation, muscle tremors, and head movements were observed in ATI 20 and ATI40. The administration of atipamezole did not change total recovery times (ATI20 69 ± 23 minutes; ATI40 72 ± 45 minutes; SAL 57 ± 23 minutes).

Vasectomy in Mouse Model Using Electrosurgery Machine.

Vasectomy in laboratory animals is a crucial step in the production of surrogate female mice. The surrogate mothers play a key role in successful embryo transfer, most important steps for the production of transgenic animal models, investigation of the preimplantation embryo development, and revitalization of cryopreserved strains. Abdominal and scrotal surgeries are common surgical procedures used in routine veterinary practice to produce vasectomized males. Two different surgical practice, namely electrosurgery and cold surgical practice, have been used as common techniques in operating rooms. Based on current knowledge, there is no published “technical note” as a detailed and step by step guideline to describe vasectomy using an electrosurgery machine (i.e., Bovie machine) in laboratory animal research and breeding facilities.The common problem during the laboratory animal surgery would be animal mortalities as a consequence of profound bleeding. The use of Bovie machine leads to the prevention of profound bleeding during the surgical practice.

Retrospective Review of Surgical Outcomes and Pair-housing Success in Vasectomized Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Providing social housing for adult male macaques can be challenging. One successful strategy for long-term social housing of adult male macaques is to pair them with adult females; however, unwanted breeding must be prevented by sterilization of the male or female. Vasectomy is a simple, highly effective, and minimally invasive method of contraception that is used at our institution to facilitate social housing. We performed a retrospective review to analyze the surgical outcomes and rate of postoperative complications after vasectomy of adult rhesus macaques at our research facility. In addition, we evaluated the success rate of pairing vasectomized macaques with female partners. Over 10 y, 16 macaques were vasectomized, of which 5 developed postoperative complications such as orchitis, epididymitis, or surgical site infection. These complications resolved completely and without incident after antibiotic and analgesic therapy; an additional male had postoperative incisional swelling that resolved quickly after NSAID treatment. This complication rate is consistent with that in humans by surgeons who perform open vasectomies relatively infrequently. In addition, 5 of the vasectomized macaques (31%) developed sperm granulomas, which are a common and generally benign complication in humans and have been reported to develop in 40% of macaques after vasectomy. Successful pair housing with a female partner was achieved for 13 of 16 (81%) of the vasectomized macaques. We conclude that surgical vasectomy is a safe and simple procedure that can be used as a highly effective method to facilitate social housing of adult male rhesus macaques in research facilities.

Evaluation of three chemical immobilization protocols in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) undergoing vasectomy surgery.

BACKGROUND: The golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), originally endemic to Bahia, was introduced in Rio de Janeiro. The species is currently found in remaining forests within the region of original occupation of the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), which may compromise the survival of the golden lion tamarin. Groups of golden-headed lion tamarins were captured and translocated to Bahia. However, the area chosen reached its limit and males underwent to vasectomy procedures. METHODS: Animals were separated into 3 groups: S-ketamine and midazolam, S-ketamine and dexmedetomidine, and racemic ketamine and dexmedetomidine. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate, sedation and muscle relaxation degrees, antinociception, and lidocaine consumption presented significant difference between midazolam and dexmedetomidine groups. Bradycardia was present on dexmedetomidine groups, with values remaining within the normal range. Dexmedetomidine groups present the best outcomes for muscle relaxation, sedation, and antinociception and were safe for vasectomy surgery in golden-headed lion tamarins.

Establishment of superovulation procedure in Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli.

Japanese field vole (Microtus montebelli) is a wild-derived rodent and have unique characteristic. Thus, these species have been expected as model animal. This study was performed to develop novel superovulation procedure for Japanese field vole. First, when 30 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 30 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were administrated 48 hours apart, females showed higher response to hCG compared with three concentrations of PMSG. Second, to effectively induce ovulation on females after vaginal opening, they were mated with vasectomized male instead of hCG administration. Average number of ovulated oocytes using PMSG mating (13.9 ± 1.9 oocytes) was higher than PMSG-hCG (control; 6.9 ± 2.3 oocytes) or PMSG-hCG mating (6.8 ± 0.8 oocytes). Finally, we attempted superovulation using GnRH agonist (GnRHa). With this treatment, we speculated that GnRHa might induce endogenous luteinizing hormone releasing to cause ovulation. Such superovulation was performed with 30 IU PMSG and different concentration of 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone-GnRHa (15, 30, 45, and 60 µg/kg). As results, average number of ovulated oocytes was highest with 30 µg/kg GnRHa (14.5 ± 4.1 oocytes). The numbers of ovulated oocytes of other concentrations were 5.0 ± 1.4 (15 µg/kg), 12.8 ± 2.7 (45 µg/kg), and 8.8 ± 3.7 oocytes (60 µg/kg). Nuclear status of most collected oocytes was the second meiotic division (range, 94.3%-100%). These superovulation procedures will be useful for development of in vitro culture systems and assisted reproductive technologies for not only Japanese field vole but also other voles.

COMPARISON OF CHEMICAL AND SURGICAL VASECTOMY ON TESTICULAR ACTIVITY IN FREE-ROAMING HORSES (EQUUS CABALLUS).

Free-roaming horse (Equus caballus) management is a complex issue incorporating social, economic, emotional, political, and environmental factors. Currently, few proven field techniques exist for managing free-roaming horse population growth, which can reach 20-25% annually. Although there are several strategies available for sterilizing mares when managing free-roaming horse populations, surgical vasectomy is the only method used in the field for stallions. Some managers believe that surgically vasectomizing dominant stallions would have significant effects on reducing horse populations. However, sterilizing only dominant harem stallions results in a relatively modest reduction in population growth as substantial reproduction may occur even when 100% of the dominant harem stallions are sterilized if other males perform as little as 10% of the breeding. The overall goal of the current project was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel nonsurgical method for sterilizing free-roaming horses (chemical vasectomy). In September of 2013, stallions that had been previously surgically vasectomized (SURG, n = 25), previously chemically vasectomized (CHEM, n = 16), or untreated (CONT, n = 32) were captured and surgically castrated in preparation for adoption. When comparing both sterilization methods to CONT, serum testosterone and estrone sulfate concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05), suggesting that these methods for sterilizing free-roaming stallions would not disrupt herd social hierarchy. However, similar to the CONT, all CHEM stallions had sperm present within the vas deferens seminal fluid samples. CHEM stallions had more morphologically abnormal sperm than did CONT stallions but it is not known if this affected the actual fertility. Additional research is needed using alternative sclerosing agents for chemical vasectomy in free-roaming horse populations.

Endoscopic Vasectomy of Male Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) as a Possible Method of Population Control.

To evaluate whether single-entry endoscopic vasectomy of male feral pigeons (Columba livia) significantly reduced fertility and would potentially be valuable for control of feral pigeon populations, 252 male feral pigeons were caught in the city of Berne and endoscopically vasectomized. In this procedure, approximately 1 cm of the deferent duct was removed bilaterally. Rapid, uneventful recoveries occurred in 94% (237/252) of the pigeons, whereas 6% (15/252) died because of complications associated with the procedure, consisting of perforation of the ureter (9/15), major hemorrhage (5/15), and respiratory arrest (1/15). Mean anesthesia time was 23±6 minutes. The vasectomized males were habituated to 2 pigeon houses together with fertile females. Another pigeon house with fertile pairs acted as control. All eggs laid were candled weekly to assess fertility. In the 2 pigeon houses with vasectomized males, the mean fertilization rate was 0.9% (5/563), while in the control pigeon house, the rate was 100% (39/39). The results indicate that endoscopic vasectomy of male feral pigeons may be a promising tool for field control of feral pigeon populations, especially in combination with other methods such as pigeon houses.

Laparoscopic vasectomy in African elephants (Loxodonta africana).

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical technique for, and outcome after, laparoscopic vasectomy of free-ranging elephants. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: African elephants (Loxodonta africana; n = 14). METHODS: Male elephants (12-35 years old) were anesthetized with etorphine and supported in a sling in a modified standing position, and positive pressure ventilated with oxygen. Anesthesia was maintained with IV etorphine. Vasectomy was performed under field conditions by bilateral, open-approach, flank laparoscopy with the abdomen insufflated with filtered ambient air. A 4-cm segment of each ductus deferens was excised. Behavior and incision healing were recorded for 8 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Successful bilateral vasectomy (surgical time, 57-125 minutes) was confirmed by histologic examination of excised tissue. Recovery was uneventful without signs of abnormal behavior. Large intestine lacerations (3 elephants; 1 full and 2 partial thickness) were sutured extracorporeally. One elephant found dead at 6 weeks, had no prior abnormal signs. Skin incisions healed without complication. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic vasectomy can be performed in African elephants in their natural environment.

Utero-tubal embryo transfer and vasectomy in the mouse model.

The transfer of preimplantation embryos to a surrogate female is a required step for the production of genetically modified mice or to study the effects of epigenetic alterations originated during preimplantation development on subsequent fetal development and adult health. The use of an effective and consistent embryo transfer technique is crucial to enhance the generation of genetically modified animals and to determine the effect of different treatments on implantation rates and survival to term. Embryos at the blastocyst stage are usually transferred by uterine transfer, performing a puncture in the uterine wall to introduce the embryo manipulation pipette. The orifice performed in the uterus does not close after the pipette has been withdrawn, and the embryos can outflow to the abdominal cavity due to the positive pressure of the uterus. The puncture can also produce a hemorrhage that impairs implantation, blocks the transfer pipette and may affect embryo development, especially when embryos without zona are transferred. Consequently, this technique often results in very variable and overall low embryo survival rates. Avoiding these negative effects, utero-tubal embryo transfer take advantage of the utero-tubal junction as a natural barrier that impedes embryo outflow and avoid the puncture of the uterine wall. Vasectomized males are required for obtaining pseudopregnant recipients. A technique to perform vasectomy is described as a complement to the utero-tubal embryo transfer.

ISFM guidelines on population management and welfare of unowned domestic cats (Felis catus).

UNLABELLED: GUIDELINES RATIONALE: Cats are among the most commonly kept domestic pets, and coexist with humans in a variety of different circumstances. Cats are sentient beings and, as such, humans have a responsibility for cat welfare where humans and cats coexist. Because cats reproduce efficiently, measures to control populations are frequently needed, but these should be based on ethical and humane approaches. FRAMEWORK: These consensus guidelines from the International Society of Feline Medicine's Welfare Advisory Panel provide a framework for the approach to welfare and population control measures, primarily among unowned cats and those going through a homing programme.