| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to measure the short term effects of castration on steroid
metabolism in male shelter dogs. Blood samples were obtained from 20 male dogs that were
part of an on-going neutering program run at Szent Istvan Univeristy, Faculty of Veterinary
Science, Budapest, Hungary. Two blood samples were obtained from the individual dogs
prior to and post castration. Serum concentrations were determined in both samples for
progesterone, pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, di-hydrotestosterone (DHT),
testosterone, oestrogen, cortisol and corticosterone. Prior to the surgery the intact male dogs
had greater concentrations of DHT, testosterone, progesterone, pregnenolone and oestrogen.
Blood steroid concentrations measured after the surgery demonstrated a significant increase
in cortisol, corticosterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels, where P<0.05. There was a
highly significant decrease of testosterone and DHT concentrations measured postcastration,
where P<0.001. There was no significant changes in serum concentrations of
progesterone, pregnenolone and oestrogen measured from the two samples. | en |
