title: The effect of prepuberal and postpuberal gonadectomy on radial physeal closure in male and female domestic cats.
abstract: Male (n = 6/group) and female (n = 6/group) kittens were gonadectomized at 7 weeks (prepuberally) or 7 months of age (postpuberally), or left intact. Lateral radiographic projections of the right forelimb were made from 4 months of age until the distal radial physis was closed, or 24 months of age. In males, distal radial physeal closure was delayed in both groups of gonadectomized animals, compared to intact males (p < 0.01). In females, proximal radial physeal closure was significantly delayed in prepuberally gonadectomized animals (p = 0.02), and distal radial physeal closure was significantly delayed in both groups of gonadectomized animals, compared to intact animals (p < 0.01). Final radial length (females p < 0.01, males p = 0.01), and age and radial length at time of the growth plateau (p < 0.01) were significantly increased in all gonadectomized animals. Age at gonadectomy had no effect on age and radial length at time of the growth plateau. No puberal growth spurt was observed in any of the cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul 55108, USA.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Root
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002356:Cartilage / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones