Neutering: the basics every owner should know

Castration, castration, and gelding usually refers to the removal of the genitals of male humans or male animals to render them incapable of sexual intercourse and reproduction. In a broad sense, it also includes the act of causing a man to lose testicular function by any means (including surgery, chemicals, or other methods). Surgical castration refers to bilateral orchiectomy (removal of both testicles), but also includes rope tying, hammering, and injection of drugs to destroy organ function. Chemical castration, on the other hand, uses drugs to suppress testicular function (which is usually reversible). Castration greatly reduces the production of male hormones, such as testosterone. Surgical castration results in sterilization (the permanent prevention of the castrated person or animal from reproducing). In animals, surgical castration is often called neutering. Neutering of animals is intended to promote the desired development of the animal or its habits, act as an antidote or prevent overbreeding. Castration can also be used for female humans and animals, including removing female reproductive organs such as ovaries and uterus from the individual, or injecting drugs into the reproductive organs to destroy the function of the reproductive organs. The term "castration" is also sometimes used to refer to the removal of both the testicles and penis. In some cultures and in some translations, there is a distinction between the terms testicle removal and penis removal. For example, in English, removing only the testicles is called "castration," while removing both the testicles and penis is called "emasculation." In human history or different cultural systems, castration has occurred based on religious or social needs, especially in Europe, China, India, the Middle East and Africa in the Middle Ages. After the war, the victor would castrate the enemy to symbolize their victory and weaken the opponent's strength, or turn them into eunuchs to serve the nobles in the palace.