Détails de la publication

Castration of male bred grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Détails de la publication

• Type:Fiche Technique
• Domaine: Production et santé animale
• Année de publication: 2005
• Auteurs: MENSAH G. A., HOUINATO M., KOUDANDE O. D., BEMBIDE C., DOSSOU-GBETE G.S.O., MENSAH S. E., POMALEGNI C. B. et KPERA G. N.
• Cultures: Grasscutter
• Couverture géographique: BENIN
• Mots clés: Castration; Grass-cuter; male; Thryonomys swinderianus; ano-genital gland

Résumé de la publication

Grass-cuter sexing can be done by observing the ano-genital area. In adults, the ano-genital distance of the male (figure 1) is almost the double of that of the female (figure 2). In contrast, young female’s ano-genital zone seems to be exactly the same as that of young males. From back to the front, we observe the anus, the ano-genital gland and the clitoris at the top of which the urethra emerges. At birth, grass-cutter’s testicle is located in the abdominal cavity and the surface of the scrotum is pink and without hair. Testicles migration in the scrotum takes place between 3 and 4 months old and corresponds to puberty. Grass-cuter manifests puberty by simulating copulation activities and triggering fight resulting in serious wounds. Castration, however, limits fighting and allows feedlot rearing. The inguinal position of testicles allows a surgical castration. The width of the inguinal channel obliges the surgeon to set up two surging points to avoid a inguinal hernia.