Short term effects of castration on steroid metabolism

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.