Chemical Castration of Rabbits Via Intratesticular Injection of Ethanol or Formalin

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of
intratesticular injection of ethanol or formalin as a novel method for
chemosterilization of rabbits. Twenty rabbits, aged (6-8 months) and weighed
(1.3-1.5) kg were used. They were randomly divided into two equal groups. In
the first group, absolute ethanol and in the second group, formalin1% at a dose
of 1ml/testis for each agent were injected under the effect of xylazine, by
insertion of the needle from the caudo-ventral aspect of the testis then pushed in
the center of the testis toward the cranio-dorsal pole of the testis. Orchidectomy
was done at first and second months postinjection, samples from the testes and
epididymis were taken for histopathological evaluation of testicular changes.
Histopathological examination revealed atrophy of the seminiferous tubules,
degeneration or vacuolation of sertoli cells and the leydig cells replaced by
fibrous connective tissue. The of epididymis show narrowing of the epididymal
lumen. The severity and distribution of the lesions were more pronounced in
formalin group, although both agents had the ability to induce sterilization in
rabbits.