1
|
Hess RA, Park CJ, Soto S, Reinacher L, Oh JE, Bunnell M, Ko CJ. Male animal sterilization: history, current practices, and potential methods for replacing castration. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1409386. [PMID: 39027909 PMCID: PMC11255590 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1409386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Sterilization and castration have been synonyms for thousands of years. Making an animal sterile meant to render them incapable of producing offspring. Castration or the physical removal of the testes was discovered to be the most simple but reliable method for managing reproduction and sexual behavior in the male. Today, there continues to be global utilization of castration in domestic animals. More than six hundred million pigs are castrated every year, and surgical removal of testes in dogs and cats is a routine practice in veterinary medicine. However, modern biological research has extended the meaning of sterilization to include methods that spare testis removal and involve a variety of options, from chemical castration and immunocastration to various methods of vasectomy. This review begins with the history of sterilization, showing a direct link between its practice in man and animals. Then, it traces the evolution of concepts for inducing sterility, where research has overlapped with basic studies of reproductive hormones and the discovery of testicular toxicants, some of which serve as sterilizing agents in rodent pests. Finally, the most recent efforts to use the immune system and gene editing to block hormonal stimulation of testis function are discussed. As we respond to the crisis of animal overpopulation and strive for better animal welfare, these novel methods provide optimism for replacing surgical castration in some species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rex A. Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Epivara, Inc, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Chan Jin Park
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Epivara, Inc, Champaign, IL, United States
| | | | | | - Ji-Eun Oh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Mary Bunnell
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - CheMyong J. Ko
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Epivara, Inc, Champaign, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nestor CC, Merkley CM, Lehman MN, Hileman SM, Goodman RL. KNDy neurons as the GnRH pulse generator: Recent studies in ruminants. Peptides 2023; 164:171005. [PMID: 36990389 PMCID: PMC10164117 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
This review considers three aspects of recent work on the role of KNDy neurons in GnRH pulse generation in ruminants. First, work on basic mechanisms of pulse generation includes several tests of this hypothesis, all of which support it, and evidence that Kiss1r-containing neurons form a positive feedback circuit with the KNDy neural network that strengthen the activity of this network. The second section on pathways mediating external inputs focuses on the influence of nutrition and photoperiod, and describes the evidence supporting roles for proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) afferents to KNDy cells in each of these. Finally, we review studies exploring the potential applications of manipulating signaling by kisspeptin, and the other KNDy peptides, to control reproductive function in domestic animals and conclude that, although these approaches show some promise, they do not have major advantages over current practices at this time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Casey C Nestor
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael N Lehman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Stanley M Hileman
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Robert L Goodman
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
New trends in immunocastration and its potential to improve animal welfare: a mini review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:369. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
4
|
Ahmed S, Dongdong B, Jiayu Z, Liu G, Ding Y, Jiang X, Teketay W, Jing H. Immunocastration with gene vaccine (KISS1) induces a cell-mediated immune response in ram testis: A transcriptome evaluation. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:653-664. [PMID: 35247007 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Immunocastration vaccines achieve their effects through neutralization of the endogenous hormone by the humoral antibody produced against the immunized genes. But there is little information regarding cell-mediated immune response on the gonadal function of the immunized model is available. In this study, we used ram as a model animal to identify the cellular immune response in testicular tissues of rams immunized with intranasal KISS1 gene vaccine. The immune castration model was evaluated by sexual behaviors, spermatogenesis, and serum hormone profiles after the KISS1 gene immunization. Transcriptome analysis of testicular tissues was carried out to identify the expressions of protein-coding genes involved in cellular immunity. The results showed that we successfully constructed the KISS1 immune castration ram model, in which testicular growth and development, testosterone and kisspeptin-54 levels, and sexual function were suppressed in immunized rams (P <0.05). Using HiseqTM 2000 high sequencing for ram testicular, we identified 21 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to cellular immunity, of which, 14 genes were up-regulated and seven genes were down-regulated in the testis of the immunized group (P<0.05). The Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment showed that these differentially expressed genes were enriched in the antigen presentation process mediated by MHC class I and the cytotoxic pathway mediated by natural killer cells. It is concluded that KISS1 gene vaccine induced the cell-mediated immune response in testicular tissue to suppress reproductive activities in rams.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Ahmed
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Dongdong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Jiayu
- Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiqiong Liu
- Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Ding
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xunping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wassie Teketay
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Haijing Jing
- Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Han Y, Si W, Han Y, Na R, Zeng Y, E G, Yang L, Wu J, Zhao Y, Huang Y. Immunization with oral KISS1 DNA vaccine inhibits testicular Leydig cell proliferation mainly via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and apoptosis-related genes in goats. Anim Biotechnol 2021; 32:395-399. [PMID: 31805804 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2019.1697701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the effect and mechanism of immunization of oral KISS1 DNA vaccine on the proliferation of goat testicular Leydig cells. Ten 8-week-old male goats were randomly divided into KISS1 DNA vaccine and control groups for immunization (five goats each group). These goats were sacrificed at 8 weeks after primary immunization, and the tissue samples of hypothalamus, pituitary, and testis and Leydig cell samples were collected for RT-PCR and CCK8 assay. Immunization with the oral KISS1 DNA vaccine effectively inhibited the proliferation of Leydig cells, the expression of hypothalamus KISS1, GPR54, and GnRH mRNA, pituitary GnRHR and LH mRNA, testicular LHR mRNA, and apoptosis-inhibitory gene Bcl-2 mRNA in Leydig cells. By contrast, the immunization enhanced the mRNA expression of apoptosis-promoting gene Bax and Clusterin in Leydig cells. These findings indicate that immunization with the oral KISS1 DNA vaccine can inhibit the proliferation of goat testicular Leydig cells mainly via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and apoptosis-related genes.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Male
- Cell Proliferation
- Contraception, Immunologic/veterinary
- Contraceptive Agents, Male
- Gene Expression Regulation/immunology
- Goats
- Kisspeptins/immunology
- Leydig Cells/immunology
- Leydig Cells/physiology
- Receptors, Kisspeptin-1/genetics
- Receptors, Kisspeptin-1/metabolism
- Receptors, LH/genetics
- Receptors, LH/metabolism
- Receptors, LHRH/genetics
- Receptors, LHRH/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Testosterone/metabolism
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanguo Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Weijiang Si
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuqing Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Risu Na
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Guangxin E
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Liguo Yang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayuan Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongju Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongfu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Han Y, Na R, Jiang X, Wu J, Han Y, Zeng Y, E. G, Liang A, Yang L, Zhao Y, Huang Y. Effect of a novel somatostatin-14 DNA vaccine fused to tPA signal peptide and CpG adjuvant on goat lactation and milk composition. Small Rumin Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
7
|
Wassie T, Zeng F, Jiang X, Liu G, Kasimu H, Ling S, Girmay S. Effect of Kisspeptin-54 immunization on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and safety of Yiling goats. Meat Sci 2020; 166:108139. [PMID: 32289558 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2020.108139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kisspeptin-54 immunocastration vaccine on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and safety of Yiling goats. Thirty buck goats were randomly assigned into three groups: PVAX-B2L-Kisspeptin-54-asd immunized (PBK-asd), control, and surgically castrated. PBK-asd immunization significantly stimulated serum anti-kisspeptin antibody production and reduced testosterone hormone compared with the control group (p < .05). Interestingly, PBK-asd plasmid did not integrate into the host genome and had no significant effect on growth hormone, body weight, and average daily gain (ADG). Conversely, surgical castration significantly reduced ADG and carcass weight compared to the control group. Furthermore, PBK-asd immunization did not affect carcass characteristics (dressing percentage, loin area, and fat thickness) and meat quality traits (pH, color, cooking loss, drip loss, and shearing force). These results indicate that the Kisspeptin-54 DNA vaccine is safe and has potential to be used as an alternative to surgical castration for goats without negatively affecting carcass and meat quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teketay Wassie
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanmei Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xunping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guiqiong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Sheep and Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailati Kasimu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Sun Ling
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Shishay Girmay
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Reproductive and Behavioral Evaluation of a New Immunocastration Dog Vaccine. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020226. [PMID: 32023851 PMCID: PMC7070807 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Population control of free-roaming dogs is a topic of great interest worldwide. Immunocastration (immune blockade of GnRH-I, the hormone that commands reproductive ability) has emerged as a complementary alternative to surgical castration. In this work, the effectiveness of an immunocastration vaccine for dogs was evaluated, as were the reproductive and behavioral characteristics of vaccinated animals. Two consecutive trials were carried out for this purpose. A first trial was conducted under experimental conditions, observing an immune response against the vaccine over a nine-month period that was associated with changes in the testicular function of the animals (decrease in testosterone and alteration of the characteristics of the ejaculate). The second trial was conducted on dogs who had owners, and vaccinated animals showed an immune response against the five-month vaccine and a decrease in unwanted behaviors associated with the presence of sex hormones. While more studies are needed, this vaccine is emerging as a promising tool for the reproductive and behavioral management of male dogs. Abstract Canine immunocastration development has been of interest for many years as a complementary strategy to surgical castration. The purpose of this paper was to verify the effect of a recombinant vaccine for dog immunocastration. Two tests were done, one under controlled conditions and a second under field conditions. Animals were injected with 1 mL of 500 µg GnRXG/Q recombinant protein; 500 µg of low molecular weight chitosan as adjuvant; 1 mL NaCl 0.9% q.s. In the first trial, eight Beagle male dogs between the ages of 1 and 3 comprised the sample, randomly divided into two groups: vaccinated group (n = 7) and control group (n = 2). The second trial had 32 dogs with owners. In the first controlled conditions trial, the vaccine produced specific antibodies that remained until the end of the trial (day 270), inducing reduced testosterone and spermiogram changes in the immunized animals. In a second trial, on the field, specific immunity was induced, which remained high up to day 150. The vaccine also reduced sexual agonistic and marking behaviors. This new vaccine proved to be safe, immunogenic, capable of reducing gonadal functionality, and had a positive effect on inducing reduced sexual, agonistic, and marking behavior of the animals.
Collapse
|