Alcohol diluent provides the optimal formulation for calcium chloride non-surgical sterilization in dogs

Background

Surgical castration is widely used to sterilize male dogs, but has significant impacts on time to perform the operation, recovery of the animals as well as cost, which can limit population control programs. Previous research has shown intratesticular injection of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl₂) in saline to be a promising alternative to surgery. However, long-term azoospermia was not maintained at dosages low enough to avoid side effects. In the search for an optimized formulation, the current investigation is the first study on long-term sterilization effects of intratesticular injection of CaCl₂ in either lidocaine solution or alcohol in dogs. CaCl₂ at 20% concentration in lidocaine solution or alcohol was administered via intratesticular injection to groups of 21 dogs each. The treated animals were examined at 2, 6, and 12 months for sperm production, blood levels of testosterone, and side effects; at time zero and 12 months for testicular size and semen volume. The experimentally treated animals were compared to a control group receiving saline injection only.

Results

Testicles of dogs treated with CaCl₂ in either diluent significantly decreased in size. After administration of CaCl₂ in lidocaine solution, sterility was achieved for at least 12 months in 75% of treated dogs. However, optimal long-term contraceptive effectiveness was achieved with CaCl₂ in alcohol, which resulted in azoospermia over the 12-month study period. Testosterone levels significantly decreased following treatment with CaCl₂, and sexual activity disappeared. Although testosterone returned to baseline levels by 12 months for the group treated with CaCl₂ in lidocaine, dogs injected with CaCl₂ in alcohol had a 63.6% drop in testosterone level, which remained at the low end of physiological range throughout the study. No adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions

A single, bilateral intratesticular injection of 20% CaCl₂ in 95% ethanol was a reliable method for induction of sterilization in 18–28 kg male dogs in this study. The approach showed long-term efficacy and reduced sexual behavior. This chemical method of sterilization might provide an effective, efficient alternative to surgical castration that can have positive impacts on dog welfare.     

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Synergy Between Fertilizer and Irrigation Water for Higher Resource Use Efficiency in Field Crops

Field experiments conducted under different levels of irrigation and fertilizers reveal that water and fertilizers increased each others' efficiency in several field crops. However, the over dose of fertilizers in the absence of adequate watering or nutrients deficiency under frequent watering had adverse effects on crop productivity. These effects were mediated through plant water status and related physiological processes. Thus, a proper combination of irrigation water and fertilizers is required for attaining high water and fertilizers use efficiency in field crops.     

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以NaOH作为润胀荆及催化剂，以氯化苄为醚化剂对甘蔗渣进行了苯甲基化改性，研究了氯化苄用量、反应温度、碱用量及反应时间对甘蔗渣苯甲基化反应的影响，并用红外光谱对苯甲基化甘蔗渣进行了初步表征。     

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对苹果木材的化学成分进行了分析研究,经测定得出灰分含量为0．32％,冷水抽提物含量为6．51％,热水抽提物含量为7．31％,1％NaOH抽提物含量为13．69％,苯醇抽提物含量为5．11％,木质素含量为24．63％,多戊糖含量为24．11％,纤维素含量为44．89％。     

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