Possible Relationship Between Long-Term Adverse Health Effects of Gonad-Removing Surgical Sterilization and Luteinizing Hormone in Dogs

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2020 Apr 5

PMID 32244716

Citations 20

Authors

Michelle A Kutzler

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Spaying and neutering dogs is commonly used to prevent the birth of unwanted animals and eliminate the risk of reproductive diseases. However, removal of the gonads prevents the feedback of estrogen and testosterone on the pituitary and hypothalamus. As a result, luteinizing hormone (LH) is continuously elevated at supraphysiologic concentrations. Although the main role of LH is for reproductive function (e.g., ovulation), there are LH receptors present in several normal tissues including the thyroid and adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, cranial cruciate ligament and round ligament, and lymphocytes. In addition, there are LH receptors present in several neoplastic tissues (e.g., lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, mastocytoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and osteosarcoma). The role of LH receptors in non-reproductive normal and neoplastic tissues is not known but may stimulate nitric oxide release and induce cell division. The precise etiology of the increased incidence of several non-reproductive long-term health complications following spaying and neutering is not known but may be related to LH receptor activation in these non-reproductive target tissues. How these effects may be mediated is described in this review.

Citing Articles

Histomorphological Changes in the Canine Epididymis During Downregulation and Recovery After Deslorelin Treatment.

Greiner H, Korber H, Packeiser E, Focks I, Aslan S, Ay S Reprod Domest Anim. 2025; 60(2):e70013.

PMID: 39936328 PMC: 11815533. DOI: 10.1111/rda.70013.

A Prospective Study Investigating the Health Outcomes of Bitches Neutered Prepubertally or Post-Pubertally.

Moxon R, Freeman S, Payne R, Corr S, England G Animals (Basel). 2025; 15(2).

PMID: 39858169 PMC: 11758339. DOI: 10.3390/ani15020167.

Marijuana Poisoning in Canines in the Aburrá Valley (Antioquia-Colombia), 2023-2024.

Marulanda N, Alvarez J, Puerta J, Peralta A, Corrales N Vet Med Int. 2025; 2025():4844163.

PMID: 39810911 PMC: 11729511. DOI: 10.1155/vmi/4844163.

Investigation of the Relationship between Plasma Nesfatin-1 Levels and Neutering in Dogs.

Guvenc-Bayram G, Semen Z, Yalcin M Animals (Basel). 2024; 14(19).

PMID: 39409803 PMC: 11475216. DOI: 10.3390/ani14192854.

Effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on health in the female dog-a scoping review.

Moxon R, England G, Payne R, Corr S, Freeman S PLoS One. 2024; 19(10):e0311779.

PMID: 39401232 PMC: 11472935. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311779.

References

Arrau J, CROXATTO H . LUTEINIZING HORMONE-LIKE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN MEDIAN EMINENCE EXTRACTS. Nature. 1964; 204:584-5. DOI: 10.1038/204584a0. View

Marmor M, Willeberg P, Glickman L, Priester W, Cypess R, Hurvitz A . Epizootiologic patterns of diabetes mellitus in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1982; 43(3):465-70. View

Lei Z, Rao C, Kornyei J, Licht P, Hiatt E . Novel expression of human chorionic gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone receptor gene in brain. Endocrinology. 1993; 132(5):2262-70. DOI: 10.1210/endo.132.5.8477671. View

Ponglowhapan S, Church D, Khalid M . Differences in the expression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone receptors in the lower urinary tract between intact and gonadectomised male and female dogs. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2007; 34(4):339-51. DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2007.09.005. View

Hassig M, Reichler I, Hubler M, Arnold S . The relationship of urinary incontinence to early spaying in bitches. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2002; 57:233-6. View

Guptill L, Glickman L, GLICKMAN N . Time trends and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in dogs: analysis of veterinary medical data base records (1970-1999). Vet J. 2003; 165(3):240-7. DOI: 10.1016/s1090-0233(02)00242-3. View

Mandigers R, Nell T . Treatment of bitches with acquired urinary incontinence with oestriol. Vet Rec. 2002; 149(25):764-7. View

Oates S . Uncloaking cognitive decline: the emergence of canine cognitive dysfunction in veterinary medicine and its implications for understanding Alzheimer's disease. Vet Herit. 2015; 37(2):47-51. View

Hill K, Jordan D, Ray J, Mays A, Griffin K . Medical therapy for acquired urinary incontinence in dogs. Int J Pharm Compd. 2012; 16(5):369-75. View

10.

Norris A, Laing E, Valli V, Withrow S, Macy D, Ogilvie G . Canine bladder and urethral tumors: a retrospective study of 115 cases (1980-1985). J Vet Intern Med. 1992; 6(3):145-53. DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1992.tb00330.x. View

11.

Osmond C, Marcellin-Little D, Harrysson O, Kidd L . Morphometric assessment of the proximal portion of the tibia in dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2006; 47(2):136-41. DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2006.00119.x. View

12.

Reshef E, Lei Z, Rao C, Pridham D, Chegini N, Luborsky J . The presence of gonadotropin receptors in nonpregnant human uterus, human placenta, fetal membranes, and decidua. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1990; 70(2):421-30. DOI: 10.1210/jcem-70-2-421. View

13.

Cornell K, Bostwick D, COOLEY D, Hall G, Harvey H, Hendrick M . Clinical and pathologic aspects of spontaneous canine prostate carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 76 cases. Prostate. 2000; 45(2):173-83. DOI: 10.1002/1097-0045(20001001)45:2<173::aid-pros12>3.0.co;2-r. View

14.

Tao Y, Lei Z, Woodworth S, Rao C . Novel expression of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor gene in rat prostates. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1995; 111(1):R9-12. DOI: 10.1016/0303-7207(95)03564-n. View

15.

Schutt T, Toft N, Berendt M . Cognitive Function, Progression of Age-related Behavioral Changes, Biomarkers, and Survival in Dogs More Than 8 Years Old. J Vet Intern Med. 2015; 29(6):1569-77. PMC: 4895687. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.13633. View

16.

Beijerink N, Buijtels J, Okkens A, Kooistra H, Dieleman S . Basal and GnRH-induced secretion of FSH and LH in anestrous versus ovariectomized bitches. Theriogenology. 2007; 67(5):1039-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.12.003. View

17.

Ware W, Hopper D . Cardiac tumors in dogs: 1982-1995. J Vet Intern Med. 1999; 13(2):95-103. DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(1999)013<0095:ctid>2.3.co;2. View

18.

Esplin D . Urinary bladder fibromas in dogs: 51 cases (1981-1985). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1987; 190(4):440-4. View

19.

Krook L, Larsson S, Rooney J . The interrelationship of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and pyometra in the dog. Am J Vet Res. 1960; 21:120-7. View

20.

Levine A, Sievert C, Morley J, Gosnell B, Silvis S . Peptidergic regulation of feeding in the dog (Canis familiaris). Peptides. 1984; 5(4):675-9. DOI: 10.1016/0196-9781(84)90005-6. View