Volume 17
Issue 1
Veterinary Medicine
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume17/issue1/abs-01.html
INFLUENCE OF GONADECTOMY ON SERUM FT4 CONCENTRATIONS IN MALE AND FEMALE DOGS
Alicja Krzy¿ewska-M³odawska1, Andrzej Max2, Bart³omiej J. Bartyzel3
1 Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Poland
2 Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
3 Department of Morphological Sciences,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of free thyroxine (fT4) in castrated and non-castrated male as well as female dogs. Gonadal resection deprives the body of the primary source of hormones secreted by these organs. It may result in endocrine dysfunctions and among them particularly on thyroid level. Such relationships were reported in rodents, in dogs, however, they are poorly recognized. Dogs (n=124) without clinical signs of hypothyroidism or dermatological changes were divided into four groups: intact bitches, n=22, spayed bitches, n=45, intact males, n=26, and castrated males, n=31. The concentration of fT4 was measured by radioimmunoassay using commercial test for the quantitative determination of hormone in human serum. The average values in gonadectomized males and females was lower as compared to intact animals (p<0.05). In addition, in bitches a statistically significant effect of time that has elapsed from castration was observed. The time from castration was longer, the fT4 concentration was lower. In conclusion, the results indicate the enhanced risk of hypothyroidism in castrated dogs of both sexes. Additional studies are needed to recognize the influence of gonadectomy on thyroid gland on morphological, histological and functional levels.
Key words: dog, gonadectomy, ovariectomy, orchiectomy, fT4.
Alicja Krzy¿ewska-M³odawska
Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Poland
Andrzej Max
Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Bart³omiej J. Bartyzel
Department of Morphological Sciences,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 159, 02–776 Warsaw, Poland
Fax: +48 22 59-362-18
email: bartlomiej_bartyzel@sggw.pl
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