title: A vasectomy technique for Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus).
abstract: Bats in captivity reproduce well and contraceptive techniques are needed. In initial attempts at vasectomy using a prescrotal approach, it was difficult to identify the mesoductus deferens. The technique described here uses a scrotal approach with exteriorization of the testis, followed by identification and ligation of the mesoductus deferens. Nine Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) underwent vasectomy for this study. No postoperative complications were seen (n = 18 testes), but some of the testes (5/18, 27%), which previously moved freely from the scrotum to the abdominal cavity, were still adhered to the scrotal sac 14 mo postoperatively. This technique appears safe, is fast, and is relatively easy to perform.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0126, USA.
authors.forename: Maud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lafortune
authors.forename: Sherman O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Canapp
authors.forename: Darryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heard
authors.forename: Lisa L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Farina
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*