Cryptorchidism is the most common noniethal developmental disorder in the horse, occurring in one-sixth of 2- and 3-year-old colts presented for castration at a teaching hospital (Haynes 1986). It occurs when one or both testicles fail to descend fromthe abdomen into the scrotum. Retained testicles retain the ability to produce testosterone, resulting in the development of secondary sexual characteristics and behaviour. Castration is necessary to abolish the adverse behavioural characteristics, a procedure more technically challenging compared to routine castration.
展开▼
