Role of bilateral caudal epididymectomy on the serological and histological changes of testicular teaser bucks for long-term

Bilateral caudal epididymectomy (BCE) is a type of surgery often performed to render a male animal infertile but retain normal sexual behavior and can be used in teaser animals. This study examined the long-term impacts of BCE on the testicular histology and secreted Leydig cell dynamics in adult bucks. Twenty clinically healthy, local-breed bucks were selected and assessed for 6 months after surgery. Sexual behavior was measured by the time of the libido response, and semen parameters, such as mass motility and sperm concentration, were measured to prove that the BCE procedure makes the buck sterile while preserving its normal sexual behavior. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum testosterone levels, and testicular tissue histopathological studies were conducted at set intervals. The testosterone levels were relatively constant during most of the study, but significantly higher at the last stage. Histological evidence of a progressive degeneration of the seminiferous tubules with a pronounced increase in interstitial tissue and a large increase in the number of Leydig cells was obtained. Finally, BCE causes permanent infertility in bucks without affecting testosterone production and sexual behavior. The related histological alterations indicate a compensatory Leydig cell proliferation related to tubular degeneration. These results suggest that BCE can be a viable technique in generating the reproductive control activities of teaser males. Thus, BCE teaser males could be used for up to 6 months.