Castration

Castration, gelding, neutering, orchiectomy or orchidectomy is any action, surgical, chemical or otherwise, by which a biological male loses use of the testes. This causes sterilization, i.e. prevents him from reproducing; it also greatly reduces the production of certain hormones, such as testosterone. It should not be confused with penectomy, which is the whole or partial removal of the penis.

Related Topics:
Surgical - Chemical - Male - Testes - Sterilization - Reproducing - Hormone - Testosterone - Penectomy - Penis

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term "castration" is sometimes also used to refer to the removal of the ovaries in the female, otherwise known as an oophorectomy or, in animals, spaying. The estrogen that the females produce becomes obsolete with this surgical procedure.

Related Topics:
Ovaries - Oophorectomy - Spaying

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~