title: Effect of surgical technique for unilateral orchiectomy on subsequent testicular function in Miniature Horse stallions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Management decisions on unilateral orchiectomy are often influenced by the potential for post operative return to successful breeding. The effects of 2 surgical methods (first intention [FI] vs. second intention [SI] incision healing) for unilateral orchiectomy on resulting semen quality and scrotal temperature were evaluated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of 2 surgical unilateral orchiectomy techniques on scrotal healing, size of the remaining testis and post operative sperm quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unilateral orchiectomy was performed on mature Miniature Horse stallions. Semen was collected prior to and up to 60 days after, unilateral orchiectomy. Semen parameters, scrotal and body temperatures, testis volume and days to incision healing were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no effect of treatment or time on percent total sperm motility. Total sperm numbers were higher (P < 0.05) 60 days after unilateral orchiectomy compared with 14 and 30 days. Percent viable sperm were higher (P < 0.05) 30 and 60 days compared with pre- and 14 day post unilateral orchiectomy. Scrotal temperatures were lower after unilateral orchiectomy compared with preoperative values ( < or = 0.003). Higher scrotal temperatures were recorded in Group IF, as compared with Group IS, during recoveryfrom anaesthesia and at 1 and 2 h after surgery (P = 0.02). Mean time to incision healing was less in Group II (10.0 days) than in Group II (21.5 days; P = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, total sperm motility was maintained and size of the remaining testis, total sperm numbers and percent viable sperm increased after unilateral orchiectomy. Incision healing time was shorter in Group II; however, surgical technique did not have an effect on semen quality at 30 and 60 days post unilateral orchiectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that surgical technique for unilateral orchiectomy may not dramatically influence function of the remaining testis.
authors: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Texas, USA. jmccormick@cvm.tamu.edu
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: McCormick
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Valdez
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Rakestraw
authors: D D
authors: DD
authors: Varner
authors: T L
authors: TL
authors: Blanchard
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Cavinder
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Sudderth
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kiser
authors: C C
authors: CC
authors: Love
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*