Immunological sterilization of male dogs by BCG

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Abstract
The effect of a single intratesticular injection of Freund''s complete adjuvant (FCA), incomplete Freund''s adjuvant (IFA) and various components was investigated in dogs. FCA caused severe granulomatous reaction with wide-spread degeneration and vacuolation of the tubules. IFA and Arlacel A induced oligo, but not azoospermia, which was of short duration (6 wk). BCG suspended in saline given with uniform distribution at doses of 10 U or higher was effective in inducing aspermatogenesis. The sperm count declined to near 0 level within 3-6 wk after BCG injection, and sperm suppression was maintained for 6-11 mo. of the observation period. At moderate doses of 10-25 U, partial to complete inhibition of spermatogenesis was seen in different tubules with leukocyte infiltration in the interstitium. The tubule basement membrane, the peritubular cells and the Leydig cells were intact. At high doses (75-110 U) and at sites in which bacillary deposits were high even in moderate dose animals, there was massive leukocyte infiltration with nonspecific tubule damage. The animals, on low or high dose, retained libido and copulated with bitches in estrus. The mating was infertile. The treatment, especially with low and moderate doses, was largely free of significant side-effects. At higher doses, scrotal pain and swelling lasting for 7-15 days was observed: a small decrease in testes size was also noted.