Stallion Fertility Fine Following Removal of One Testicle (AAEP 2012)

Researchers found that stallions can still lead productive lives as studs with only one testis.
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If your stallion needs to have a testicle removed due to disease, neoplasia (tumor), or severe trauma, don’t worry: Stallions can still lead productive lives as studs with only one testis, assures a researcher from Texas A&M University.

"Clinical experience suggests that unilateral orchiectomy of a diseased or traumatized testis is fairly common in breeding stallions," said Justin McCormick MS, DVM, of the school’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, in his presentation at the 2012 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Convention, held Dec 1-5 in Anaheim, Calif.

McCormick explained that even wasn’t clear if sperm quality decreases following the removal of one testis, the research community recommends sexual rest for at least one spermatogenic cycle (about 12 days). However, a postoperative period of sexual rest following unilateral castration during the breeding season can negatively impact a stallion’s economic productivity due to lost breeding opportunities.

McCormick and his colleagues compared two different unilateral castration procedures to determine if one technique was more damning on sperm quality than the other

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Written by:

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she’s worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

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