Male horses are
usually castrated to moderate unwanted male behaviour and limit unintended
reproduction.
Vasectomy, interrupting
the vas deferens to prevent sperm being released, is an option to prevent
breeding while still maintaining male behavioural characteristics. It is performed
less frequently in horses than in other species.
However, a
new technique has been described using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery which
could make it a more popular option. Previously, the operation required general
anaesthetic and open surgery.
Surgeons at
the University of Zaragoza have described a laparoscopic technique that can be
performed in the sedated standing horse. In a paper published in the Veterinary Record,
they report that the method takes about 20 minutes to complete for each side.
The
operation is carried out with the stallions sedated and restrained in stocks. Three
portals (small incisions through which the instruments and viewing scope pass)
are used, at sites in the paralumbar fossae – the depression between the spine,
ribs and pelvis.
A
laparoscopic vessel sealing device is used to cut and seal the vas deferens at
two points.
In a small
study of four stallions, the authors found no evidence of recanalization of the
vas deferens, and no sperm in the ejaculate two months after the operation.
They suggest
that laparoscopic vasectomy can be performed successfully in standing horses in
a short time, and without altering horses behaviour. They advise that more
cases are needed to properly assess the long-term outcome of the procedure.
For more
details, see:
Application
of a laparoscopic technique for vasectomy in standing horses
Vitoria, A.,
Romero, A., Fuente, S., Barrachina, L., Vazquez, FJ.
Veterinary
Record (2019) 185, 345.
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