Evaluation of single intratesticular injection of calcium chloride for nonsurgical sterilization in adult albino rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a method of chemical sterilization and its efficacy in adult albino rats.


METHODS
Evaluation was conducted 3 weeks after a single bilateral intratesticular injection of calcium chloride (CaCl2) at the dose of 5, 10, 15 or 20 mg per testis per 100 g body weight.


RESULTS
The significant graded diminution in relative sex organ weights, testicular androgenic enzymes like Delta5,3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Delta5,3beta-HSD) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, testicular content of reduced glutathione (GSH), plasma and intratesticular concentrations of testosterone, epididymal sperm count as well as significant elevation in plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testicular content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were noted in all the treated groups with respect to vehicle control. There was no chronic general stress in experimental animals as indicated by insignificant changes in plasma concentrations of corticosterone, prolactin, total protein, blood urea nitrogen and fasting blood sugar level. Dose-dependent responses on testicular histopathology were recorded by noting multinucleated giant cells in seminiferous tubules, derangement of tubular architecture along with infiltration of leucocytes and appearance of fibrous tissue throughout the testicular sections. The fertility efficacy of the 10, 15 or 20 mg CaCl2-treated males was nil, proven after mating with fertile, virgin healthy females, as there were no implantation sites in each uterine horns noted by laparotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Intratesticular CaCl2 injection at a specific dose might serve as a way of sterilization and may be considered as an alternative to surgical castration in male animals.
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Calcutta 700 037, West Bengal, India.
Kuladip
K
Jana
Prabhat Kumar
PK
Samanta
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002629:Chemosterilants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D007267:Injections; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000662:veterinary; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002629:Chemosterilants; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D003345:Corticosterone