The Effect of Chemical and Surgical Castration on the Live Weight Gain and Some Hormones of Male Norduz Sheep

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of surgical and chemical castration on body weight and some hormones. In the present study, 2.5-3-month-old weaned male Norduz sheep were used. The sheep were obtained in the year 2015 from Livestock Application and Research Directorate of Yuzuncu Yil University. The sheep were randomly allocated into three groups each of which contained 10 sheep. The groups were formed as; Group 1 The Control Group (No castration), Group 2 (Surgical castration group) and Group 3 (Chemical castration group), respectively. Blood sample was taken from vena jugularis of the animals before the application and every two months for a total of 4 times for 6 months and hormone analyses were performed. The order of statistical significance for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) were found as Surgical > Control > Formol (P<0.05). The order of statistical significance for growth hormone was Formol = Surgery > Control (P<0.05). In August month, the application factor was found to be significant only in testosterone (P<0.05). No significant difference between the control and surgical groups in testosterone was noted. In this study, although the application of different castration methods in 4-month-old male Norduz sheep resulted in changes in the blood hormone levels, it was determined that these changes did not affect body weight. In conclusion, the evaluation of the process in castrated six-month-old sheep revealed an increase in the body weight which was similar to that in the control group.