Analysis of histopathological and ultrasonographic testicular changes following intra testicular administration of zinc gluconate and chlorhexidine gluconate in adult dogs

Escalating stray dog population is becoming a big problem worldwide. The chemical contraception is gaining more popularity because of its cost effectiveness, easy application and negligible complications.

The present study was designed to analyze the contraceptive effect of intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine and chlorhexidine gluconate in twenty-four sexually mature male mongrel dogs divided into four groups viz I, II, III and IV each of six animals. Groups I, II and III were treated with zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine, 5% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, respectively and group IV were kept as control. The testicular biopsy samples were collected on day 0 and 30 using 16-gauge biopsy gun. The ultrasonographic examination of testes was done on day 0, 5, 15, 24 and 30.

The noteworthy microscopic changes at day 30 such as irregular basement membranes with severe depletion of both germinal and sertoli cells were observed in all the treatment groups. The ultrasonography revealed degenerated testicles and significant diminution in the testicular length by day 30 in all the treatment groups. Thus, intra-testicular injection of zinc gluconate neutralized with arginine, 5% and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate may be used for chemical contraception in dogs.