Prepuberal gonadectomy in dog and cat

Abstract

Prepuberal gonadectomy is defined as ovariohysterectomy (OHE), ovariectomy or castration of kittens and puppies between 6 weeks and 16 weeks of age (Root, 2014). However, in some studies prepuberal gonadectomy refers to animals gonadectomized less than 5 months of age. In another way, prepuberal gonadectomy means the removal of reproductive organs before the onset of puberty. Puberty is the onset of reproductive and sexual maturation and is consisted with the first estrus in females and functional production of spermatozoa in males (Yates et al. 2011).