Impact of castration and sex hormones on some hormonal and biochemical parameters of male rabbits

Sami Ahmed and Saeb Abdul-Rahman

Abstract: The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of castration and sex hormones on hormonal and biochemical traits of male rabbits. 36 mature local rabbits were divided into 6 groups. 1st group: Intact, 2nd group: castrated. 3rd and 5th group: Intact rabbits treated i.m with testosterone 10 mg/kg B.wt and estrogen 0.5 mg/kg B.wt respectively, while 4th and 6th groups: Castrated rabbits treated as in 3rd and 5th groups respectively, treatments continued for 4 weeks. Results revealed that castration increased significantly HDL-C, globulin/albumin and T4 levels, and reduced significantly risk ratio, ALT and cortisol level as compared with intact at P ≤ 0.05. While testosterone treatment reduce significantly cholesterol, HDL-C, globulin, and increased significantly T4, T3 and cortisol levels. On the other hand, estrogen treatment enhance significantly HDL-C, globulin/albumin, and reduced significantly LDL-C, risk ratio, ALT, glucose, total protein and albumin, T4 and cortisol levels at P ≤ 0.05. In regard to interaction effects, castration and estrogen treatment reduce the stress as represented by the reduction of risk index, ALT, AST and cortisol levels, also enhances lipid profile, globulin and globulin/albumin. Testosterone and estrogen treatment enhances rabbits final body weight and weight gain in both intact and castrated rabbits. In conclusion, castration and estrogen treatment of castrated and intact male rabbits reduce the stress effects and enhance lipid profile and some immunological parameters.

Keywords: castration; estrogen; lipid profile; rabbits; testosterone

Date published: 2022-12-09