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This paper aims to provide an overview of the accepted techniques of pain relief and castration and guidelines of how to best perform these painful interventions in an animal-friendly way under Swiss conditions. Calves should be castrated at the age of 14 days or less, at least 10 minutes after local anesthesia with lidocaine, applying a single rubber ring. Concurrently, a NSAID should be administered intravenously (ketoprofen, 3 mg/kg of bodyweight) and Tetanus-serum subcutaneously (off label use). If possible, ketoprofen(4.5 mg/kg BW) should be orally administered for 3 - 5 days postoperatively. At 10 days after applying the rubber ring, the dried-off scrotum including the rubber ring should be removed with a clean knife or a scalpel. Local anesthesia is not necessary for this procedure. Ram lambs should be castrated at the age of 14 days or less, at least 10 minutes after local anesthesia with lidocaine, applying a rubber ring. The toxic dose of 4 mg lidocaine/kg BW (corresponds to 1 ml lidocaine 2 % per lamb of 5 kg BW) should not be exceeded. Concurrently, a NSAID (off label use) and Tetanus-serum should be administered systemically. Immunization against GnRH represents an animal-friendly and economically feasible alternative to rubber ring castration. With two immunizations at an interval of 3 - 4 weeks testicular development can be inhibited for at least 3 months and the onset of puberty clearly delayed. However, a specific vaccine for use in ruminants is currently registered neither in Switzerland nor in Europe.Die vorliegende Arbeit gibt eine Übersicht über die gängigen Methoden zur Schmerzausschaltung und Kastration sowie Empfehlungen für eine tierfreundliche Durchführung der Eingriffe unter Schweizer Verhältnissen. Kälber sollten in den ersten 14 Lebenstagen, frühestens 10 Minuten nach Setzen der Lokalanästhesie mit Lidokain mittels Gummiring kastriert werden. Gleichzeitig sollen ein NSAID (Ketoprofen, 3 mg/kg KGW) langsam intravenös und Tetanus-Serum (Umwidmung) appliziert werden. Falls möglich soll in den darauf folgenden 3 – 5 Tagen Ketoprofen (4.5 mg/kg KGW) weiter oral verabreicht werden. Der eingetrocknete Hodensack soll mitsamt Gummiring 10 Tage nach Anbringen des Gummirings mit einem sauberen Messer oder einem sterilen Skalpell ohne Anästhesie entfernt werden. Lämmer sollen in den ersten 14 Lebenstagen, frühestens 10 Minuten nach Setzen der Lokalanästhesie mit Lidokain wie beim Kalb mittels Gummiring kastriert werden. Beachte, dass die maximale Dosis von 4 mg Lidokain/kg KGW (entspricht 1 ml Lidokain 2 % pro 5 kg Lamm) nicht überschritten wird. Gleichzeitig zur Lokalanästhesie sollen ein NSAID (Umwidmung) und Tetanus-Serum appliziert werden. Die Impfung gegen GnRH ist eine tierschonende, praxistaugliche und wirtschaftliche Alternative zur mechanischen Kastration beim männlichen Kalb und Lamm. Mit einer zweimaligen Impfung im Abstand von 3 – 4 Wochen können die Hodenentwicklung während mindestens 3 Monaten gehemmt und die Geschlechtsreife hinausgezögert werden. In der Schweiz und auch in Europa ist zurzeit jedoch kein spezifischer Impfstoff für die Anwendung beim Wiederkäuer registriert.Le présent travail donne un aperçu des méthodes praticables pour l'anesthésie et la castration ainsi que des recommandations pour une réalisation de cette intervention dans le respect du bien-être animal dans les conditions suisses. Les veaux devraient être castrés dans les 14 premiers jours de vie au moyen d'un élastique posé au plus tôt 10 minutes après la réalisation de l'anesthésie locale avec de la lidocaïne. Il convient d'administrer simultanément un AINS (kétoprofène, 3 mg/kg PC) en i/v lente ainsi qu'un sérum antitétanique (reconversion). Dans la mesure du possible, il convient d'administrer oralement du kétoprofène (4.5 mg/kg PC) par voie orale pendant les 3 à 5 jours suivants. Le scrotum desséché y compris l'élastique doit être supprimé sans anesthésie au moyen d'un couteau propre ou d'un scalpel stérile 10 jours après la pose de l'élastique. Les agneaux doivent être castrés dans leurs 14 premiers jours de vie, comme les veaux avec un élastique posé au minimum 10 minutes après la réalisation d'une anesthésie à la lidocaïne. On prendra garde à ne pas dépasser la dose maximale de 4 mg/kg de lidocaïne (ce qui représente 1 ml de lidocaïne 2 % pour un agneau de 5 kg). Simultanément à l'anesthésie, on appliquera un AINS (reconversion) et un sérum antitétanique. La vaccination anti-GnRH représente une alternative pratique et économique ménageant les animaux pour la castration des veaux et des agneaux mâles. Une double vaccination à 3 à 4 semaines d'intervalle permet de bloquer le développement testiculaire pendant au moins 3 mois et de retarder ainsi la maturité sexuelle. Toutefois il n'existe actuellement pas en Suisse ni en Europe de vaccin spécifique enregistré pour l'application chez les ruminants.Il presente lavoro vuole dare dapprima una panoramica degli attuali metodi per il controllo del dolore e la castrazione in seguito delle raccomandazioni per attuare degli interventi rispettosi dell'animale a condizioni svizzere. I vitelli devono essere castrati, via un anello di gomma, nei primi 14 giorni di vita al più presto 10 minuti dopo aver somministrato l'anestesia locale con lidocaina. Contemporaneamente va somministrato lentamente per via intravenosa un FANS (ketoprofene, 3 mg/kg di peso corporeo) e un siero antitetanico (riclassificazione). Se possibile, somministrare nei 3 – 5 giorni seguenti per via orale ketoprofene (4.5 mg/kg di peso corporeo). Lo scroto secco insieme all'anello di gomma deve restare per 10 giorni dopo l'applicazione dello stesso e deve essere asportato senza anestesia con un coltello pulito o un bisturi sterile. Gli agnelli, come i vitelli, devono essere castrati, via un anello di gomma, nei primi 14 giorni di vita al più presto 10 minuti dopo aver somministrato l'anestesia locale con lidocaina. Attenzione, che la dose massima di lidocaina di 4 mg/kg di peso corporeo (equivalente a 1 ml di lidocaina al 2 % per ogni 5 kg di agnello) non va superata. Contemporaneamente all'anestesia locale va somministrato un FANS (riclassificato) e un siero antitetanico. La vaccinazione contro GnRH è un'alternativa rispettosa degli animali, semplice ed economica alla castrazione meccanica nei vitelli e negli agnelli maschi. Con una vaccinazione ripetuta due volte a distanza di 3 – 4 settimane si può inibire lo sviluppo dei testicoli durante almeno 3 mesi e quindi ritardare la maturità sessuale. In Svizzera e in Europa finora non è stato registrato alcun vaccino specifico per i ruminanti.

The development of contraceptive vaccines is matter of international research. Among antigens possible unique to the reproductive process, sperm antigens, antigens of seminal plasma and of the ovum, antigens of placental hormones and of placenta specific proteins appear suitable targets of the production of fertility regulating vaccines. High specifity of these vaccines can prevent cross reaction with other body cells.An overview of immunological contraceptive methods is presented. The most important factors to be considered in developing sperm antigens are specificity in identifying and isolating the antigens and characterizing the resulting immune reactions carefully. Induced autoimmunorchiditis has been tested as a method of contraception with varied results. The resulting destruction of the gonadal tissues occurs without hormonal depression and is reversible. Sperm antibodies have been produced in females by injections of human sperm with varying degrees of effectiveness. Antisperm enzyme isoimmunization in the female inhibits penetration of the sperm or disturbs embryonic development by damaging the sperm. Seminal plasma antigens show less promise for use as contraceptives. Antibodies against spermatozoa may be induced locally with immunoglobulins. Antigens to the zona pellucida are in evidence in every stage of ovulation until the zona is shed. Antibodies to the zona pellucida hinder penetration and implantation of the sperm. The hormones HCS and HCG, which are produced by the placenta, may have contraceptive usefulness. Placental protein antigens must be available in sufficient quantities and must inhibit or interrupt implantation at a very early stage with few side effects. The most common side effect of immunological contraceptive methods is cross-reactive autoimmunity.

Fertile female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were actively immunized against human pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1). Native SP1 as well as chemically modified derivatives of SP1 served as antigens. The effect of the immunization on reproduction in these animals was investigated. The immunized monkeys showed a significant reduction in fertility: the conception rate in these animals was only slightly reduced when compared with the controls; but in the immunized monkeys pregnancy often resulted in abortion. The possibility of using immunization against SP1 as a contraceptive method in man is discussed.Fertile female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fasciculoris) were actively immunized against human pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein. SP 1 preparations isolated from human placentas and from chemically modified derivatives were used as antigens. After 6 weeks of immunications the monkeys were mated and checked for the effects of the immunizations of their reproductive capacity. Of 16 immunized monkeys, 44% conceived after the 1st mating, compared with 51% of the 39 control group monkeys. All but 3 pregnancies in the immunized monkeys terminated in abortion. Repeated matings of the immunized monkeys resulted in 22 pregnancies and 11 abortions. Monkeys immunized with human SP 1 show a significant reduction in fertility due to the abortive effect of the drug. An immunization of humans against SP 1 might be an important contraceptive technique, if early termination of pregnancy could be guaranteed and barring any negative side effects.