Effect of post-natal castration on sepsis mortality in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of castration in early periods of development on survival to experimental acute sepsis.


METHODS
Four groups of 10 (ten) Wistar rats were used. The groups were comprised of males (M), females (F), males castrated on the fourth day of life (CM) and males castrated on the fourth day of life with testosterone replacement (CMR). Sepsis was induced by ligature and cecal perforation in adult life.


RESULTS
The analysis of death within 24 hours following sepsis induction showed greater mortality between the M and the CMR groups as compared to the CM and F (p=0.0180) groups. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) indicates an association between the M and the CMR groups for death within 24 hours as well as a relationship between the F and the CM groups for the absence of death and death up to 24 hours following sepsis induction. Statistical analysis of the Kaplan-Meier survival curve through log-rank demonstrates a significant difference among the four groups (p=0.0055) and between the M and the F (p=0.0005) groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Data suggest a better survival to sepsis within 24 hours for the F and CM groups, the presence or absence of testosterone in early periods of post-natal life being responsible for these findings.
Bernhardt
Joel Antonio
JA
School of Medicine, University of Vale do Itajai, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
d'Acampora
Armando José
AJ
Tramonte
Ricardo
R
Serafim
João Daniel May
JD
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000601:surgery*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000401:mortality*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
D013739:Testosterone