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Castration

Castration is the surgical removal of one or both testes, or their functional inactivation via chemical or other means, in males to eliminate spermatogenesis and substantially reduce testosterone production.^[1] This procedure induces permanent sterility and hypogonadism, with physiological effects including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, genital atrophy, osteoporosis risk, and potential alterations in body composition such as increased adiposity and reduced muscle mass.^[2]^[3] Historically, castration served multiple purposes across civilizations, including the creation of eunuchs to staff imperial courts, harems, and administrative roles in ancient China, the Ottoman Empire, and Byzantium due to their perceived loyalty from lack of heirs; as punitive emasculation for crimes like rape or treason in medieval Europe and Sumeria; and for religious self-denial or cultic rites, such as among the Galli priests of Cybele.^[4]^[5] Empirical records from Korean eunuchs and Chinese court servants indicate that castrated males often outlived intact counterparts by 14 to 19 years, attributable to diminished androgen-driven risks like prostate disease and possibly behavioral factors reducing violence or infection exposure.^[4]^[6] In modern contexts, bilateral orchiectomy achieves "medical castration" as a primary treatment for advanced prostate cancer by depriving tumors of androgen stimulation, often more cost-effective and immediate than pharmacological alternatives.^[7] Chemical castration, using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or anti-androgens, has been applied to lower recidivism rates among convicted sex offenders, with studies showing reduced sexual reoffense in compliant subjects though not eliminating erections or all risks.^[8]^[9] In veterinary practice, castration is routinely performed on male livestock such as cattle—where about 88% of U.S. beef calves undergo it—to enhance manageability, prevent aggressive breeding behavior, improve meat marbling and tenderness, and avert unwanted matings in herds.^[10] Methods vary from surgical excision to banding or chemical injection, with younger animals exhibiting less acute stress but all conferring lifelong endocrine changes analogous to human outcomes.^[11]

Methods and Techniques

Surgical Castration

Surgical castration involves the excision of the gonads to halt endogenous sex hormone production, primarily testosterone in males or estrogen and progesterone in females. In human males, the standard procedure is bilateral orchiectomy, which removes both testicles and typically portions of the spermatic cord to prevent hormone secretion and ensure sterility.^[12]^[13] This contrasts with unilateral orchiectomy, which targets a single testicle, often for localized pathology like testicular cancer rather than systemic hormone suppression.^[14] The inguinal approach, preferred for oncologic indications to minimize local recurrence risk, begins with a 2 cm incision superior and parallel to the inguinal ligament, along the line between the internal and external inguinal rings.^[15] The spermatic cord is isolated, clamped, and divided, followed by delivery and removal of the testicle through the inguinal canal without violating the tunica vaginalis to avoid scrotal contamination.^[16] The procedure, performed under general or spinal anesthesia, typically lasts 30-60 minutes and achieves castrate-level testosterone (<50 ng/dL) within 3-12 hours postoperatively, faster than pharmacological alternatives.^[17] In non-oncologic contexts, such as androgen deprivation for prostate cancer or other therapeutic castration, a simple scrotal orchiectomy may be used, involving a midline or transverse scrotal incision to access and ligate the testicular vessels and vas deferens before excising the gonads.^[18] Cord structures are secured with sutures, and the scrotum is closed, often allowing same-day discharge.^[13] This method preserves more scrotal anatomy but carries higher risks of hematoma or infection compared to inguinal access.^[19] Subcapsular orchiectomy, a variant, shells out testicular tissue while leaving the capsule intact, though it is less common due to incomplete hormone suppression.^[20] For females, surgical castration equates to bilateral oophorectomy, removing both ovaries via abdominal, laparoscopic, or vaginal routes to eliminate ovarian hormone output.^[12] Laparoscopic techniques involve small incisions for trocar insertion, ovarian pedicle ligation, and specimen extraction in a retrieval bag, reducing recovery time to 1-2 weeks versus open surgery.^[21] This procedure induces surgical menopause, with immediate cessation of cyclic hormone production.^[22] Historical surgical methods, predating modern antisepsis, often employed crude excision or crushing of the testes without anesthesia, such as tying a cord around the genitals and slicing with a razor, resulting in high mortality from hemorrhage or infection.^[23] In ancient practices, red-hot irons cauterized wounds post-amputation, as documented in early eunuch production techniques from Sumerian records circa 2000 BCE.^[4] Contemporary procedures, informed by sterile technique and vascular control, achieve complication rates below 5%, including bleeding, infection, or phantom pain.^[13]

Chemical Castration

Chemical castration involves the pharmacological suppression of sex hormone production or activity, most commonly targeting testosterone in males to diminish libido, erectile function, and associated behaviors. This method employs drugs such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (e.g., leuprolide, goserelin), anti-androgens (e.g., cyproterone acetate, bicalutamide), or progestins (e.g., medroxyprogesterone acetate, MPA). These agents reduce serum testosterone to castrate levels, typically below 50 ng/dL, mimicking the endocrine effects of surgical orchiectomy but without physical alteration of the gonads.^[8]^[24]^[25] GnRH agonists exert their effects through continuous stimulation of pituitary GnRH receptors, initially causing a transient surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release—known as a "flare" effect that may last 1-2 weeks—followed by receptor desensitization and downregulation, which suppresses gonadal steroidogenesis. Anti-androgens competitively inhibit androgen receptor binding or synthesis, directly countering testosterone's peripheral actions, while progestins like MPA inhibit hypothalamic GnRH secretion and block androgen receptors, further attenuating hormone-driven responses. Treatment regimens often combine these classes for synergistic suppression, with dosing tailored to achieve sustained low testosterone via periodic monitoring of serum levels.^[8]^[25]^[26] Administration typically occurs via intramuscular depot injections for long-acting GnRH agonists (e.g., every 1-3 months) or subcutaneous implants, minimizing daily compliance issues compared to oral anti-androgens or progestins, which carry risks of hepatotoxicity and require frequent dosing. Initial evaluation includes baseline hormone assays, prostate-specific antigen testing, and bone density scans to baseline risks, followed by regular follow-ups to adjust doses and mitigate side effects like hypogonadism-induced osteoporosis, cardiovascular strain, or depressive symptoms. Effects are largely reversible upon cessation, with testosterone recovery kinetics varying by drug duration and patient age—often within 3-6 months for short-term use but potentially delayed in older individuals due to age-related gonadal reserve decline.^[24]^[27]^[28] In applications for paraphilic disorders or recidivism reduction, chemical castration has demonstrated testosterone suppression to efficacy thresholds in clinical studies, with one review of hormonal treatments reporting recidivism rates dropping to under 5% in treated cohorts versus 20-50% in untreated historical controls, though outcomes depend on concurrent psychotherapy and voluntary adherence. Critics note that standalone hormonal intervention may not address cognitive-behavioral drivers of offending, and long-term studies are limited by ethical constraints on randomization.^[8]^[29]^[30]

Biological and Physiological Effects

Effects in Human Males

Castration in human males, whether surgical or chemical, removes or suppresses testicular function, inducing primary hypogonadism with testosterone levels typically falling below 50 ng/dL. This abolishes endogenous androgen production, leading to permanent sterility as spermatogenesis ceases immediately and irreversibly.^[13] Libido diminishes or eliminates in most cases, with 66% of voluntarily castrated men reporting complete loss, accompanied by erectile dysfunction and genital atrophy in 55%.^[2] Post-pubertal castration causes regression of androgen-dependent traits, including reduced muscle mass, physical strength, and body hair density, while promoting fat accumulation, central obesity, and potential gynecomastia from unopposed estrogen effects. Hot flashes occur in 63% of cases, mimicking vasomotor symptoms of menopause due to hormonal imbalance. Prostate volume decreases, lowering risks of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.^[2]^[6] Voice pitch remains unchanged after puberty, but baldness is prevented as androgen-driven follicle miniaturization halts. Skeletal integrity declines rapidly without testosterone's anabolic effects, accelerating bone resorption and elevating osteoporosis risk; bone mineral density losses of 2-5% per year have been documented in untreated hypogonadal men. Cardiovascular outcomes vary: while androgen deprivation may confer cardioprotection in some contexts, historical self-castrated groups like the Skoptzy exhibited elevated obesity and metabolic syndrome prevalence, potentially increasing atherosclerosis.^[13]^[4] Pre-pubertal castration prevents virilization, yielding eunuchoid habitus with tall stature, long limbs relative to trunk, sparse facial and pubic hair, and high-pitched voice persisting into adulthood. Such individuals face heightened osteopenia from absent pubertal bone accrual, though neurocognitive development appears unimpaired in case reports.^[31] Psychological sequelae include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and irritability in many, linked to androgen deficiency's impact on mood regulation, though voluntary castrati often cite perceived benefits like enhanced impulse control over sexual and aggressive drives.^[2]^[32] Long-term survival data from historical eunuchs, such as Korean court servants castrated before puberty (averaging 70 years lifespan versus 52 for intact noble peers), indicate potential longevity extension of 14-19 years, attributable to reduced testosterone-mediated risks like inflammation and malignancy, despite confounders like elite status.^[33]^[6]

Effects in Human Females

Bilateral oophorectomy, the surgical removal of both ovaries, constitutes castration in human females and induces immediate surgical menopause by abruptly halting ovarian production of estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.^[34] This leads to symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and diminished libido, which onset rapidly post-surgery and mirror those of natural menopause but with greater intensity due to the sudden hormonal withdrawal.^[22] Mood disturbances, such as depressive symptoms and anxiety, are amplified, particularly when oophorectomy accompanies hysterectomy, with prevalence of depression increasing significantly in premenopausal cases.^[35] Skeletal health deteriorates due to estrogen deficiency, which normally inhibits bone resorption; premenopausal oophorectomy elevates osteoporosis risk and accelerates bone loss, often necessitating hormone replacement or bisphosphonates to mitigate fracture rates.^[36] Cardiovascular risks rise, with subclinical atherosclerosis progressing faster than in women undergoing natural menopause, alongside heightened incidence of heart failure and overall cardiovascular disease, as ovarian hormones provide protective effects against endothelial dysfunction and lipid dysregulation.^[37] ^[38] Circulating testosterone levels plummet by up to 50%, contributing to fatigue, reduced muscle mass, and further libido decline.^[39] Neurological effects include accelerated brain aging, with premenopausal oophorectomy linked to doubled risk of cognitive impairment or dementia later in life, potentially via estrogen's role in neuroprotection and hippocampal integrity.^[40] ^[41] Chronic conditions emerge at higher rates, such as arthritis, asthma, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, persisting decades post-procedure in women under 50 at surgery.^[42] ^[43] All-cause mortality increases, particularly for procedures before age 50, with studies showing elevated 10-year death rates driven by cardiovascular and other non-cancer causes, though hormone therapy may partially offset this in select populations.^[44] ^[45] Sexual function suffers from vaginal atrophy and reduced lubrication, impairing intercourse and overall well-being without intervention.^[46]

Mechanisms from First Principles

Castration eliminates the gonads, the primary endocrine organs responsible for sex steroid hormone production, thereby disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis through loss of negative feedback regulation. In males, the testes' Leydig cells synthesize testosterone from cholesterol via the steroidogenic pathway: cholesterol transport into mitochondria by steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), conversion to pregnenolone by CYP11A1, subsequent steps yielding progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and finally testosterone through enzymes including 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, CYP17A1, and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Orchiectomy abruptly halts this process, reducing serum testosterone to castrate levels (<50 ng/dL) within 12 hours, as the adrenals produce only minimal androgens insufficient for maintaining physiological functions.^[47] Without testosterone's inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamic neurons, pulsatile GnRH secretion increases, stimulating anterior pituitary release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); however, absent gonadal response, LH and FSH levels rise markedly (often 10-20 fold), reflecting primary hypogonadism.^[48] This feedback disruption cascades to androgen receptor-mediated effects, diminishing spermatogenesis in Sertoli cells (via absent FSH and testosterone synergy) and systemic androgen-dependent processes like muscle anabolism and erythropoiesis.^[49] In females, ovariectomy removes the ovaries, where estrogen biosynthesis follows a two-cell model: theca interna cells produce androgens (androstenedione, testosterone) from cholesterol via similar early steroidogenic steps as in testes, then granulosa cells aromatize these to estrogens (primarily estradiol) using CYP19A1 (aromatase) under FSH stimulation.^[50] ^[51] Post-ovariectomy, circulating estradiol plummets (>90% reduction), as peripheral conversion from adrenal androgens yields only low estrone levels inadequate for premenopausal physiology.^[52] Loss of estrogen and inhibin negative feedback elevates GnRH, LH, and FSH, with FSH rising disproportionately due to absent inhibin B from granulosa cells, confirming gonadal failure.^[48] Progesterone production ceases concurrently, as corpora lutea derive from ovarian follicles, amplifying effects on endometrial cycling and bone remodeling via unopposed estrogen receptor signaling deficits.^[53] These mechanisms underscore causal primacy of gonadal hormones in HPG homeostasis: steroid withdrawal triggers compensatory hypergonadotropism, but persistent deficiency drives hypoandrogenism or hypoestrogenism, manifesting in atrophy of hormone-dependent tissues through ligand-unbound receptor states and altered gene transcription (e.g., reduced AR or ER target genes like PSA or osteoprotegerin). Empirical rodent models confirm orchiectomy or ovariectomy induces rapid HPG derepression, with gonadotropin surges peaking in days, while human data from therapeutic castrations (e.g., for prostate cancer) validate equivalent endocrine profiles.^[54] ^[49] Chemical castration via GnRH analogs mimics this by initial flare then sustained suppression, but surgical removal directly severs steroid output without intermediary steps.^[55]

Medical Applications and Consequences

Therapeutic Uses in Humans

Surgical orchiectomy, the removal of the testes, serves as a form of androgen deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer by reducing serum testosterone to castrate levels, typically below 50 ng/dL, thereby slowing tumor growth dependent on androgens.^[56] This approach is particularly employed in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, where it relieves symptoms such as bone pain and urinary obstruction, with studies reporting significant improvements in these areas post-procedure.^[57] Compared to medical castration via gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or antagonists, surgical castration demonstrates comparable oncologic efficacy but lower risks of fractures and peripheral arterial disease, alongside potential survival benefits in observational data from large cohorts.^[58] Utilization has declined from 8.5% of cases in 2004 to 3.5% in 2016, attributed to preferences for reversible medical options despite surgical castration's cost-effectiveness and one-time intervention.^[58] Chemical castration, involving anti-androgen drugs like medroxyprogesterone acetate or cyproterone acetate, is used therapeutically to suppress libido and testosterone in individuals convicted of sex offenses, aiming to reduce recidivism rates.^[24] Some retrospective studies indicate reduced reoffense rates among treated offenders, with surgical castration showing stronger effects in meta-analyses, though confounded by offender selection and methodological limitations.^[30] Efficacy remains debated, as randomized controlled trials are scarce, and reductions in recidivism may stem from combined psychological interventions rather than hormonal suppression alone; critics argue it does not address underlying cognitive distortions and may not enhance public safety broadly.^[59]^[60] Orchiectomy is performed in biological males seeking treatment for gender dysphoria as part of male-to-female transition, permanently eliminating testicular testosterone production and facilitating feminization with lower exogenous estrogen doses.^[61] Post-operative outcomes include statistically significant reductions in reported gender dysphoria, alongside decreased estradiol and progesterone requirements, though patients experience infertility, diminished libido, and potential breast tissue changes.^[62] Complication rates are low, with hemorrhage in about 4% and abscess in 6% of cases, comparable to non-transgender orchiectomies.^[63] However, transgender women post-orchiectomy face elevated risks of major adverse cardiovascular events within five years compared to cisgender men undergoing the procedure for other indications.^[64] Long-term data on regret or overall quality-of-life improvements are limited, with benefits primarily self-reported in small cohorts.^[65]

Long-Term Health Outcomes

Surgical castration via bilateral orchiectomy in men, often employed as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, results in profound and persistent testosterone deficiency, leading to increased risks of osteoporosis, with bone mineral density reductions of up to 10-15% within the first year and higher fracture rates over time compared to age-matched controls.^[66] ^[67] This hypogonadism also correlates with elevated cardiovascular disease risk, including peripheral artery disease, particularly after prolonged exposure exceeding 35 months, alongside metabolic disturbances such as weight gain, loss of muscle mass, and impaired glucose tolerance.^[68] ^[67] Cognitive impairments, including deteriorated short-term and spatial memory, have been observed in longitudinal studies of orchiectomized patients, potentially linked to hippocampal androgen receptor signaling disruptions.^[66] Mental health declines are common, with heightened prevalence of depression, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction persisting years post-procedure, though some reports indicate no overall detriment to general quality of life in low-income cohorts followed for over five years.^[32] ^[69] Chemical castration, typically via gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) or anti-androgens for prostate cancer or paraphilic disorders, yields analogous long-term sequelae but with potentially greater fracture hazard (hazard ratio up to 1.80 for durations over 35 months) and thromboembolic events due to incomplete suppression variability and additional drug-specific toxicities like hyperglycemia.^[67] ^[8] Extended ADT in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer extends median survival to around 60 months in some cohorts, yet accelerates progression to castration-resistant states in 50-60% of cases within 13 months on average, compounded by risks of anemia, infertility, and depressive symptoms mediated by serotonergic pathway inhibition.^[70] ^[25] Paradoxically, historical data from castrated Korean eunuchs and European castrati suggest 14-19 year longevity gains over intact males, attributable to reduced testosterone-driven prostate issues and possibly cardioprotective effects, though modern therapeutic contexts reveal net mortality elevations from non-cancer causes in younger patients.^[6] In women undergoing bilateral oophorectomy for ovarian cancer prophylaxis or therapeutic indications, especially premenopause, abrupt estrogen cessation elevates long-term risks of coronary heart disease (relative risk 1.5-2.0), stroke, hip fractures, and all-cause mortality by 20-50% compared to those retaining ovaries, with deficits persisting despite hormone replacement.^[71] ^[72] Neurological vulnerabilities intensify, including doubled dementia odds and cognitive impairment rates rising with younger age at surgery (e.g., hazard ratio 1.6 for oophorectomy before age 46), alongside metabolic comorbidities like diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and arthritis.^[41] ^[73] These outcomes underscore castration's causal disruption of gonadal hormone homeostasis, where benefits in averting hormone-sensitive malignancies must be weighed against systemic endocrine ablation's multi-decade toll, with premenopausal procedures amplifying frailty absent comprehensive mitigation strategies.^[37]

Reversibility and Management

Surgical castration, involving the physical removal of the testes (orchiectomy) or ovaries (oophorectomy), is inherently irreversible, as the excised gonadal tissue cannot be regenerated or functionally restored. This procedure results in permanent hypogonadism, characterized by lifelong deficiencies in sex hormone production, including testosterone in males and estrogen in females, leading to sustained effects such as infertility, reduced libido, and altered secondary sexual characteristics.^[24]^[13] Chemical castration, achieved through pharmacological agents like GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide) or anti-androgens (e.g., cyproterone acetate), suppresses gonadal hormone production without structural alteration and is generally reversible upon discontinuation of treatment. Hormone levels, including testosterone, typically recover within weeks to months, restoring aspects of sexual function and fertility in many cases, though recovery duration varies by treatment length, patient age, and drug type—prolonged therapy (over 2–3 years) may delay or incompletely reverse suppression, with potential persistent changes in body composition or metabolic parameters.^[74]^[8] Rare instances of permanent effects have been noted, particularly in older individuals or those with underlying comorbidities.^[74] Management of post-castration effects focuses on mitigating hypogonadism-related complications through monitoring and supportive interventions. For surgical cases, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) via patches, gels, or implants may be administered if not contraindicated (e.g., in non-cancer contexts) to alleviate symptoms like fatigue, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular risks, with bone mineral density screening recommended every 1–2 years.^[75] Chemical castration side effects, such as hot flashes, muscle loss, and mood alterations, are similarly managed with lifestyle modifications (e.g., weight-bearing exercise, calcium/vitamin D supplementation), selective estrogen receptor modulators for bone health, or short-term symptomatic relief, while periodic hormone assays guide discontinuation and recovery assessment. Psychological support addresses body image and identity impacts, particularly in non-therapeutic applications.^[75]^[28]

Historical Practices

Practices in Asia

In imperial China, castration practices for creating eunuchs dated back to the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE), with the procedure becoming institutionalized during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) to staff the imperial palace and harems.^[76] The method typically involved complete emasculation, severing both the penis and testicles in a single incision using a knife, often performed on boys before puberty by specialized practitioners to minimize mortality from infection or hemorrhage.^[77] A small reed or bamboo tube was inserted to maintain a urinary opening, as the procedure left survivors dependent on such aids for life; success rates were low, with estimates suggesting only 1 in 100 boys survived in some periods due to blood loss and sepsis.^[78] Eunuchs were sourced from poor families, criminals, or self-volunteers seeking social mobility, numbering up to 70,000 in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 CE) and 100,000 in the Qing (1644–1912 CE), where they wielded significant administrative power despite formal bans on their influence.^[79] Similar practices emerged in Korea during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392 CE) and persisted through the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910 CE), where castration mirrored Chinese techniques, targeting prepubescent males for palace service.^[80] Eunuchs, known as naesi, underwent voluntary or familial castration for career advancement, often adopting other castrated boys to perpetuate lineages, as documented in genealogical records like the Yang-Se-Gye-Bo.^[81] Historical analyses of 81 eunuchs from these records show average lifespans of 70 years, 14–19 years longer than non-castrated peers of comparable status, potentially due to reduced testosterone-linked risks like prostate issues, though causation remains correlative absent modern controls.^[82] In Vietnam, under dynasties like the Nguyen (1802–1945 CE), the eunuch system was directly imported from China, involving analogous full castration methods to produce thái giám for court duties, with records indicating hundreds served until the practice's abolition around 1914 amid modernization efforts.^[83] Southeast Asian kingdoms such as Siam (modern Thailand) occasionally employed Chinese-influenced eunuchs from the 14th century, as seen in diplomatic envoys under King Narai (1656–1688 CE), but their roles remained marginal compared to East Asian courts, limited by local Theravada Buddhist norms favoring intact male hierarchies.^[84] In South Asia, particularly India, castration featured in hijra communities—traditional third-gender groups—through ritual nirvan (emasculation) dating to at least the 2nd century BCE, often self-inflicted or performed by specialists using knives or hot irons to remove genitals as a rite of initiation for spiritual authority and fertility blessings.^[85] Unlike court eunuchs, these practices emphasized religious transcendence over administrative utility, with hijras serving in Mughal-era (1526–1857 CE) harems but facing social marginalization; modern survivorship reflects high procedural risks, including hemorrhage, without the state oversight seen in China.^[86] Across Asia, these castrations prioritized loyalty via infertility, enabling trusted access to female quarters, though they frequently led to chronic health issues like osteoporosis and urinary complications from incomplete healing.^[87]

Practices in the Middle East and Africa

In the Middle East, castration practices historically produced eunuchs for administrative and guardianship roles in royal courts and harems, despite Islamic jurisprudence deeming the procedure haram as a form of prohibited mutilation. Eunuchs were typically slaves castrated outside dar al-Islam to circumvent religious bans, with operations often performed by Coptic monks in Egypt or in regions like Upper Egypt and Nubia. The procedure involved full removal of the genitals, applied to boys aged 9 to 12 to maximize survival rates, though mortality exceeded 80% due to infection and blood loss without modern anesthesia.^[88]^[89] In the Ottoman Empire, black eunuchs sourced from Africa dominated harem security under the Kizlar Agha, the chief black eunuch who wielded substantial political influence, including oversight of Mecca's holy sites from the 16th century onward. White eunuchs, partially castrated and often from the Balkans, handled palace education and external diplomacy but held less power. By the 18th century, Ottoman edicts like the 1715 prohibition attempted to curb castration imports from Egypt, citing inhumanity, yet the practice persisted until the empire's decline in the early 20th century.^[90]^[91]^[92] Ancient Persian empires, including the Achaemenid (c. 550–330 BCE), employed eunuchs in royal administration, likely adopting the custom from Assyrian or Babylonian precedents where castration ensured loyalty by preventing dynastic claims. Herodotus noted eunuchs' trusted status among "barbarians" for guarding women, with procedures possibly involving crushing testicles pre-puberty to reduce lethality.^[93]^[94] In Africa, castration featured prominently in the trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean slave trades, where Arab and Swahili merchants emasculated captured boys for export as eunuchs to Middle Eastern markets, a practice peaking from the 7th to 19th centuries with millions affected. Operations occurred in coastal or Nile Valley centers, yielding black eunuchs for Ottoman and Persian courts. Within African polities, such as the Songhay Empire (15th–16th centuries), eunuchs served as military aides and power brokers, their status derived from imported or locally enforced castration to enforce fidelity in royal households.^[95]^[96]

Practices in Europe and the Americas

In ancient Rome, castration was employed as a punishment for crimes such as adultery or as a means to create eunuchs for household service, influenced by Hellenistic practices where eunuchs served as trusted slaves due to their inability to procreate.^[97] Eunuchs appeared in Roman elite households by the 1st century CE, often imported from the East, performing roles like tutors or administrators, though their use declined with Christianity's rise, which condemned the practice as mutilation of God's creation.^[98] During the Middle Ages, castration persisted primarily as a punitive measure in Europe, applied to criminals, rapists, or political rivals, with procedures involving ligation of the scrotum followed by excision, typically without anesthesia and carried out by groups to restrain the victim.^[99] In the Byzantine Empire, a continuation of Roman traditions, eunuchs held significant administrative and military roles, such as leading armies or managing imperial finances, with records from the 4th century onward noting their vocal contributions to church choirs.^[100] Western Europe saw rarer institutional use, limited mostly to punishments or rare self-castrations motivated by asceticism, as in the case of early Christian figures emulating Origen's 3rd-century act, though condemned by church councils like Nicaea in 325 CE.^[101] The most prominent European practice emerged in the 16th century with the castrati tradition in Italy, where boys aged 7-9 were surgically castrated before puberty to preserve soprano or alto voices for church choirs and opera, driven by Catholic prohibitions on women performing sacred music.^[102] This began around 1555 in the Sistine Chapel, peaking in the 17th-18th centuries with figures like Farinelli (Carlo Broschi, castrated circa 1700), who commanded fees equivalent to thousands of ducats annually; an estimated 4,000 castrations occurred yearly in Italy by the 18th century, often performed by barbers or family members in secret to evade papal bans.^[103] The practice waned after 1870 with women allowed in choirs, ending fully by the early 20th century, with the last professional castrato, Alessandro Moreschi, retiring in 1922.^[104] In the Americas, historical castration practices were infrequent and largely punitive rather than institutionalized. Colonial-era records from Spanish and Portuguese territories document occasional emasculation as retribution for rebellion or sexual crimes among enslaved Africans or indigenous peoples, mirroring European penal traditions, though specific incidences remain sparsely documented before the 19th century.^[5] In the 19th-century United States, proposals like Gideon Lincecum's 1870s advocacy for castrating criminals in Texas aimed to deter recidivism through sterilization, reflecting eugenic influences, but widespread surgical application was rare, supplanted by emerging vasectomy techniques in early 20th-century eugenics programs that sterilized over 60,000 individuals, predominantly women, across 30 states by 1930 without routine male orchiectomy.^[105]^[106]

Roles and Impacts of Eunuchs

Administrative and Political Functions

![V.M. Doroshevich-East and War-Eunuch near Door of Sultan's Harem.png][float-right] Eunuchs frequently assumed administrative roles in imperial courts across ancient and medieval empires, valued for their perceived loyalty stemming from the absence of familial dynastic ambitions and their unrestricted access to rulers' inner circles. In China, from the Han dynasty onward, eunuchs managed palace affairs, including the emperor's personal service, record-keeping, and oversight of imperial workshops. By the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), their influence expanded; eunuchs like Zheng He commanded naval expeditions between 1405 and 1433, projecting Ming power across the Indian Ocean and facilitating trade and diplomacy. They also shaped domestic policy, supervised construction projects such as the Forbidden City, and at times acted as imperial advisors, though their power often led to factional conflicts with Confucian bureaucrats.^[107]^[108] In the Ottoman Empire, the Chief Black Eunuch (Kızlar Ağası), overseeing the imperial harem since the office's formalization in 1588, wielded significant political authority beyond custodial duties. This position controlled vast pious endowments funding religious institutions, influenced sultans' decisions through proximity to the dynasty's women, and managed networks of patronage extending into provincial administration and the military. Black eunuchs, often sourced from sub-Saharan Africa, served as intermediaries in court politics, advising on successions and mediating between the sultan and viziers, thereby embedding themselves in the empire's power structure from the 16th to 19th centuries.^[90]^[109] Byzantine eunuchs held high administrative and political posts, serving as chamberlains, treasurers, and even generals under emperors like Justinian I (r. 527–565), with figures such as Narses leading reconquests in Italy during the 550s. Their roles included diplomatic missions, fiscal management, and ecclesiastical appointments, exemplified by eunuchs ascending to the patriarchate of Constantinople, such as Eustratios Garidas (1081–1084). Perceived as impartial due to sterility, eunuchs facilitated bureaucratic efficiency but occasionally provoked resentment for monopolizing influence in the imperial bureaucracy.^[110]^[111] In Achaemenid Persia (550–330 BCE), eunuchs guarded the royal household and advised monarchs, with some attaining military commands; Cyrus the Great (r. 559–530 BCE) integrated them into elite guards, while later figures like those under Xerxes I influenced court decisions. Sassanid Persia (224–651 CE) continued this pattern, employing eunuchs in administrative oversight of the king's domains and as trusted envoys, leveraging their lack of progeny to ensure undivided allegiance.^[93]^[100]

Achievements and Contributions

Zheng He, a eunuch admiral in the Ming dynasty, led seven maritime expeditions from 1405 to 1433 that reached as far as East Africa, deploying fleets of up to 300 ships and 27,000 men to establish tribute relations, promote trade in silk, porcelain, and spices, and demonstrate Chinese naval supremacy.^[112] These voyages facilitated diplomatic alliances with over 30 states and collected exotic goods like giraffes for the imperial court, enhancing Ming prestige without permanent colonization.^[113] In the Byzantine Empire, eunuch general Narses commanded armies under Emperor Justinian I, culminating in the 552 victory at the Battle of Taginae over Ostrogothic king Totila, where innovative tactics including archer-heavy formations routed a larger force and ended major Gothic resistance in Italy.^[114] Narses subsequently governed and fortified central Italy until 568, securing Roman territories against Lombard incursions and integrating local populations through administrative reforms.^[115] During China's Tang dynasty (618–907), eunuch Gao Lishi served as a trusted advisor to Emperor Xuanzong, managing court logistics, mediating factional disputes, and supporting policies that sustained economic prosperity and cultural patronage, including advancements in poetry and music.^[116] Ming eunuchs further contributed culturally by introducing and performing Western classical music at court as early as the 16th century, bridging European and Chinese artistic traditions amid imperial isolationism.^[117]

Abuses and Criticisms

In imperial China, eunuchs serving in administrative and political roles were repeatedly criticized for corruption, embezzlement, and factional intrigue that weakened governance and contributed to dynastic instability. During the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), eunuchs leveraged their unchecked proximity to the throne to demand bribes for imperial access and manipulate policy for personal gain, often portraying them in historical accounts as greedy schemers who undermined the Confucian meritocracy favored by scholar-officials.^[117] A prominent example is Liu Jin, who rose to dominance under Emperor Zhengde around 1505 and amassed enormous wealth—estimated at 240,000 gold bars and over 5 million silver bars—through forced taxes, embezzlement, and control of inner palace agencies, until his execution in 1510 for plotting rebellion.^[117] Similarly, Wei Zhongxian effectively controlled the government in the 1620s under the young Emperor Tianqi, orchestrating purges of rivals, forming corrupt cliques, and abusing authority to extract resources, actions that exacerbated fiscal strain and led to his forced suicide in 1627 after the emperor's death.^[118]^[117] Such abuses stemmed partly from eunuchs' lack of familial ties, which emperors saw as ensuring loyalty but often fostered unchecked despotism and resentment among officials, with periodic purges failing to curb recidivism.^[117] In the Ottoman Empire, chief black eunuchs managing the harem and pious endowments wielded substantial influence and were occasionally accused of overreach in court intrigues, though their abuses were more contained by the system's checks compared to Chinese precedents.^[119] Byzantine eunuchs, while administratively capable, drew contempt for perceived deceit and corruption, reflecting broader societal prejudices against their physical condition and political ambitions.^[110]

Religious and Cultural Contexts

In Eastern Religions

In Hinduism, castration appears in mythological narratives symbolizing spiritual transformation and supremacy, as seen in accounts of deities like Shiva severing his phallus, which represents detachment from worldly desires and the attainment of higher powers.^[120] Such myths underpin cults associating emasculation with divine revenge, punishment, or transcendence, where castrated figures gain supernatural authority over fertility and creation.^[121] These stories, drawn from texts like the Mahabharata, illustrate castration not as routine practice but as a rare, symbolic act elevating the individual beyond biological imperatives.^[120] Among human practitioners, the hijra community in India—rooted in Hindu devotional traditions—engages in voluntary castration known as nirvan, a ritual surgery performed to emulate divine emasculation and dedicate oneself to the goddess Bahuchara Mata.^[122] This ceremony, involving prayers and offerings, aims to confer spiritual purity and the power to bless fertility in others, positioning hijras as intermediaries between humans and the divine; however, it carries high risks of infection and mortality, with estimates indicating only a fraction of initiates undergo full removal of genitals.^[122] Ancient Hindu texts classify such castrated individuals as klība (impotent or eunuch-like), barring them from certain rites like Vedic sacrifices while acknowledging their roles in royal or temple service.^[123] Castration here functions as a technique for transcending sexual desire to approach godliness, though scriptures like the Manusmriti generally prohibit self-mutilation except in extreme ascetic contexts.^[123] In Buddhism, castration is explicitly discouraged, with the Buddha rejecting self-harm as a path to enlightenment and prohibiting ordination for eunuchs, viewing genital removal as a form of bodily disfigurement antithetical to the Middle Way.^[124] Early texts, such as the Vinaya, classify post-pubescent castration as invalidating monastic eligibility, emphasizing that true renunciation involves mental discipline over physical alteration.^[125] While some tantric traditions explore symbolic "spiritual castration" through meditation on desire's impermanence, physical enactment remains rare and unendorsed, aligning with broader precepts against violence to the body.^[126] Jainism, emphasizing extreme non-violence (ahimsa), rejects castration outright, as it constitutes self-inflicted harm prohibited under doctrines governing bodily integrity for ascetics.^[127] No scriptural or historical evidence supports castration as a Jain practice; instead, texts condemn mutilation, focusing asceticism on fasting and restraint without surgical intervention.^[128] Taoism lacks endorsement of physical castration for religious ends, prioritizing internal alchemy (neidan) to sublimate sexual energy rather than excise organs, though historical Chinese eunuchs—often serving imperial courts influenced by Taoist cosmology—occasionally invoked longevity elixirs post-castration, without doctrinal sanction.^[129] Eunuchism in China was primarily punitive or administrative, not a Taoist rite, and texts like the Tao Te Ching advocate harmony with natural bodily functions over alteration.^[130]

In Abrahamic Religions

In Judaism, the Torah prohibits castration of humans and animals, deriving the ban from Leviticus 22:24, which disqualifies animals with crushed or severed testicles from altar sacrifices, interpreted by rabbinic sources as forbidding the act itself to preserve creation's integrity.^[131] This extends to human castration via Deuteronomy 23:1, which bars those with crushed testicles from the assembly of the Lord, forming Negative Commandment 361 against gelding men.^[132] Eunuchs (saris) appear in biblical texts, such as Potiphar in Genesis 39 or the unnamed chamberlain in Acts 8, often as foreign officials, but ancient Hebrews rejected the practice common in neighboring cultures, viewing it as emasculating and contrary to procreative imperatives like Genesis 1:28.^[133] Jews could purchase pre-castrated animals from non-Jews for consumption but were forbidden from performing or commissioning the act.^[134] In Christianity, the New Testament acknowledges eunuchs without endorsing castration, as in Matthew 19:12 where Jesus describes three types—those born eunuchs, made by men, and who make themselves "eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven"—primarily symbolizing voluntary celibacy to prioritize spiritual devotion over marriage.^[135] Some early adherents literalized this, leading to self-castration; Origen of Alexandria reportedly emasculated himself around 230 CE to quell lust while teaching female students, citing the verse to justify avoiding scandal.^[136] Accounts by Justin Martyr (c. 150 CE) describe a young Alexandrian Christian seeking official permission for self-castration to prove chastity, while sects like the Valesians (3rd century) ritualized it under leader Valens.^[137] The practice spread as a misguided ascetic fad amid broader calls for sexual renunciation, prompting condemnations: church councils, including Nicaea (325 CE), barred self-castrated men from clergy, and fathers like Tertullian deemed it mutilation violating bodily wholeness.^[138] In Islam, castration (ikhtisas) of humans is unanimously haram across Sunni and Shia jurisprudence, classified as fasad fi al-ard (corruption on earth) for altering Allah's creation without necessity, rooted in hadiths like Sahih Bukhari 5947 prohibiting it even for slaves or to curb desire.^[139] Quranic verses such as 4:119 and 30:30 reinforce this by condemning satanic inducements to change divinely formed bodies.^[89] Self-castration or performing it on consenting adults remains invalid, with no exceptions for punishment beyond scriptural hudud. Despite the ban, historical Muslim empires like the Ottomans (14th–20th centuries) employed thousands of eunuchs (khassi or aghawat) in harems and administration, sourcing them via pre-Islamic castration of non-Muslim boys (e.g., from Ethiopia or the Balkans) to exploit legal loopholes avoiding direct Muslim involvement.^[140] This pragmatic circumvention persisted until the early 20th century, though jurists consistently upheld the prohibition's intent to preserve human dignity and lineage.^[139]

In Music and Arts

In Baroque-era opera and sacred music, castrati—male singers castrated prior to puberty to retain soprano or alto ranges—dominated performances from the late 16th to early 19th centuries. The practice emerged in the 1550s initially for church choirs, adhering to Catholic prohibitions on women singing in liturgical settings, with boys typically castrated between ages 7 and 9 to preserve vocal flexibility and power unmatched by natural female voices.^[141]^[142] By the 17th century, castrati starred in secular opera, featuring in Claudio Monteverdi's Orfeo (1607) and George Frideric Handel's works like Rinaldo (1711) and subsequent operas through the 1720s, where their roles often portrayed heroic males or deities with extraordinary vocal demands.^[143] Castrati achieved celebrity status, with figures like Farinelli (Carlo Broschi, 1705–1782) earning fortunes and royal patronage, their voices enabling elaborate ornamentation central to the era's aesthetic.^[144] The tradition waned after papal bans in the early 19th century and shifts toward female sopranos, though it persisted briefly in Vatican choirs until Alessandro Moreschi's retirement in 1922.^[145] In visual arts, castration appears in mythological and historical depictions, often symbolizing cosmic upheaval or power transitions, as in scenes of Cronus (Saturn) castrating Uranus from Hesiod's Theogony (c. 700 BCE). Such motifs inspired Renaissance and Baroque paintings, including Giorgio Vasari's fresco (c. 1560) and later etchings reproducing Polidoro da Caravaggio's compositions, emphasizing violent severance with a sickle amid divine figures.^[146] Eunuchs, as castrated guardians, feature in Orientalist works like Jean-Leon Gerome's harem scenes or biblical illustrations, such as Rembrandt's The Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch (1626), portraying the Acts 8 figure's conversion.^[147] Portraits of castrati, including Diego Velázquez's of Marcantonio Pasqualini (c. 1650), blend androgynous elegance with divine iconography, reflecting their cultural prestige amid physical alteration.^[148] These representations underscore castration's dual role as both artistic enabler and emblem of sacrifice, without endorsing the act's ethics.

Modern Uses in Human Society

In Criminal Justice for Recidivism Prevention

Castration, both surgical and chemical, has been employed in various jurisdictions as a measure to reduce recidivism among convicted sex offenders, particularly those with histories of child sexual abuse or repeated offenses driven by compulsive sexual urges. Surgical castration involves the removal of the testes, permanently eliminating testosterone production and associated libido, while chemical castration administers anti-androgen drugs such as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or leuprolide to temporarily suppress testosterone levels and sexual arousal. These interventions target the physiological basis of recidivism risk, where elevated testosterone correlates with increased sexual aggression and reoffending propensity in susceptible individuals.^[149]^[8] Empirical studies indicate substantial reductions in sexual recidivism following surgical castration. A review of European cases from the mid-20th century, including over 1,000 offenders in Germany and Denmark, reported recidivism rates of 2-5% over follow-up periods exceeding 10 years, compared to baseline rates of 36-46% for untreated child molesters and rapists in the United States.^[8]^[9] Similarly, a 1989 German study of 99 castrated offenders found a 11% recidivism rate over four years, attributing the low figures to diminished sexual drive rather than mere psychological effects.^[150] Chemical castration yields comparable but less consistent results; for instance, South Korean applications since 2011 on high-risk child molesters have shown reduced reoffending, though long-term data remains limited due to the intervention's relative novelty.^[29] Overall meta-analyses of treatment programs, including hormonal interventions, report sexual recidivism dropping from 17.5% in controls to 11.1% in treated groups, a 37% relative reduction, with surgical methods demonstrating the strongest effects when isolated from confounding voluntary compliance factors.^[30] Legally, chemical castration is authorized in several U.S. states for parolees, such as California's 1996 law mandating MPA for repeat offenders against minors under 13, and Louisiana's provisions allowing it alongside a recent 2024 proposal for judicially ordered surgical castration in severe child rape cases. Internationally, Poland mandates chemical castration for certain sex crimes since 2009, while South Korea and Indonesia apply it to convicted pedophiles deemed at high recidivism risk.^[151]^[152]^[153] These policies often require offender consent for reduced sentences, though compulsory variants exist, reflecting a pragmatic balance between efficacy and coercion concerns. Critics, including some criminologists, question causality, suggesting low recidivism may stem from offender self-selection or intensified monitoring rather than testosterone suppression alone; however, physiological evidence links androgen reduction directly to lowered paraphilic impulses, supporting causal efficacy in biologically motivated cases.^[9]^[154]

Voluntary and Elective Castration

Voluntary castration involves the deliberate removal of the testes by adult males absent medical necessity, such as cancer treatment, typically pursued through self-inflicted means or elective surgery.^[155] This practice occurs primarily in small online communities, including the Eunuch Archive forum established in the late 1990s, where participants share experiences and rationales.^[156] Motivations often center on achieving a state of reduced libido and emotional tranquility, termed "eunuch calm," with approximately 40% of surveyed individuals citing freedom from sexual urges as the primary driver.^[157] Other factors include perceptions of body dysmorphia regarding male genitalia, histories of childhood abuse or threats of emasculation, and paraphilic interests in castration itself.^[155] ^[158] Elective castration, distinct in its reliance on professional medical intervention rather than self-harm, is sought by some for similar psychological ends or to facilitate gender-related modifications, such as in cases of male-to-eunuch identity or gender dysphoria.^[159] In a 2007 survey of 92 self-identified voluntarily castrated men, over half reported pursuing the procedure to realize a "preferred self," with many describing post-castration adjustments including diminished erectile function and androgen levels, yet high levels of satisfaction—around 80% expressed no regrets.^[156] ^[2] However, self-castration, employed by up to 30% in some cohorts, carries elevated risks of hemorrhage, infection, and incomplete removal, prompting emergency interventions in documented cases.^[160] Empirical data on long-term outcomes derive from self-selected samples via online platforms, limiting generalizability due to potential selection bias toward ideologically committed participants.^[161] Post-castration, individuals often experience osteoporosis, infertility, and cardiovascular changes unless managed with hormone replacement therapy, mirroring effects in medically induced hypogonadism.^[162] Prevalence remains low, with no large-scale population statistics available; anecdotal reports suggest hundreds to low thousands worldwide engage in these communities as of the early 2020s.^[158] Legal and ethical barriers restrict formal surgical access in many jurisdictions, leading some to unregulated providers or travel abroad, as no standardized protocols exist for non-therapeutic procedures.^[163]

Ethical and Controversial Aspects

Debates on Efficacy and Human Rights

Debates on the efficacy of castration, particularly surgical or chemical variants applied to sex offenders, center on its capacity to suppress testosterone-driven impulses and thereby lower recidivism rates. Empirical studies indicate that surgical castration significantly reduces sexual reoffending among high-risk individuals whose behaviors are motivated by deviant sexual urges rather than non-sexual factors like power or anger. For instance, historical and clinical data from European programs, including voluntary procedures in Denmark and Germany, report recidivism rates of 2% to 5% for castrated pedophilic offenders, compared to baseline rates exceeding 30% without intervention.^[8] ^[9] Chemical castration, using agents like medroxyprogesterone acetate or GnRH analogues to lower testosterone levels, similarly correlates with decreased recidivism in treated cohorts, with one quasi-experimental analysis showing substantial risk reduction in violent sexual offenses post-treatment.^[164] These outcomes align with causal mechanisms observed in animal models, where castration eliminates testosterone production and associated aggression or mating behaviors, suggesting a direct physiological link rather than mere correlation.^[165] However, methodological limitations temper claims of universal efficacy. Meta-analyses of sex offender treatments, including hormonal interventions, reveal moderate overall effects confounded by selection bias—volunteers for castration often exhibit higher motivation for change—and small sample sizes in surgical cohorts.^[30] Critics, including some criminologists, argue that castration may fail for offenders driven by psychological rather than libidinal factors, with limited long-term data on non-pedophilic rapists.^[166] Moreover, while testosterone suppression reliably diminishes sexual drive, evidence on broader crime prevention remains indirect, as recidivism metrics depend on detection rates and post-release monitoring, which vary across jurisdictions.^[167] Human rights objections frame castration as a disproportionate infringement on bodily integrity, especially when mandated by courts. Organizations like the United Nations have condemned surgical variants as akin to torture or cruel punishment, violating prohibitions under international law such as the Convention Against Torture, due to their irreversible nature and potential for severe side effects including osteoporosis, cardiovascular risks, and psychological distress.^[168] Mandatory chemical castration raises consent issues, as prison-alternatives may coerce participation, undermining autonomy; ethicists contend this renders any "voluntary" agreement invalid under duress.^[150] Physicians' surveys highlight professional reluctance, with many viewing involuntary procedures as unethical breaches of medical oaths like "do no harm."^[8] Proponents counter that efficacy evidence justifies targeted use for recidivism-prone offenders, prioritizing societal protection over individual discomfort, particularly in voluntary contexts where informed consent mitigates rights concerns.^[169] In jurisdictions like Louisiana, where surgical castration became punishable for certain child sex crimes as of June 2024, advocates cite low recidivism data as empirically grounding the measure against abstract dignity claims.^[170] Yet, human rights critiques from bodies like Amnesty International often emphasize deontological prohibitions on mutilation, potentially overlooking utilitarian trade-offs where untreated offenders impose greater harms on victims; such positions may reflect institutional biases favoring offender rights over empirical victim safeguards.^[171] Ongoing debates thus pit causal evidence of risk reduction against normative assertions of inviolable personhood, with resolution hinging on whether proportionality assessments incorporate recidivism probabilities exceeding 20-40% in untreated high-risk groups.^[172]

Empirical Evidence vs. Normative Critiques

Empirical studies on surgical castration for sex offenders, primarily conducted in Europe between the 1930s and 1970s, indicate significantly reduced rates of sexual recidivism. In Denmark, where voluntary surgical castration was offered as an alternative to imprisonment from 1929 to 1967, castrated offenders exhibited a recidivism rate of approximately 3% for sexual offenses, compared to 16.8% among non-castrated sexual offenders overall.^[173] ^[174] A review of European data from Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and Denmark similarly reports recidivism rates below 5% post-castration, attributing this to the elimination of testosterone-driven impulses, though critics note potential confounds such as self-selection among motivated offenders.^[175] Meta-analyses of treatment outcomes confirm surgical castration yields the largest effect sizes in reducing sexual, violent, and general recidivism among convicted sex offenders, outperforming psychosocial therapies alone.^[30]^[176] Chemical castration, involving anti-androgen medications like medroxyprogesterone acetate or cyproterone acetate to suppress testosterone, shows comparable efficacy in smaller-scale studies, with recidivism reductions observed in paraphilic offenders, though long-term data is limited by ethical constraints on randomized trials.^[150] These interventions causally link testosterone suppression to diminished sexual drive and offending behavior, as evidenced by physiological markers and self-reported impulse control. However, health risks include accelerated bone mineral density loss leading to osteoporosis, with significant reductions in lumbar spine and femur density within six months, irrespective of surgical or medical methods.^[177] Cardiovascular complications, metabolic disruptions, and increased body fat also arise, elevating long-term disease risks.^[74] For voluntary castration outside penal contexts, surveys of self-selected individuals report mixed psychological outcomes: while 66% experience libido loss and 63% hot flashes, many maintain high sociability and satisfaction, particularly with hormone supplementation preserving some sexual function.^[2]^[178] These findings underscore empirical benefits in impulse control but highlight trade-offs in physical and reproductive health, grounded in androgen deprivation's direct biological impacts rather than subjective well-being alone. Normative critiques, often advanced by human rights advocates and legal scholars, contend that castration—surgical or chemical—violates bodily integrity and constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, even when voluntary or conditional on release from incarceration.^[150]^[179] Such arguments prioritize absolute autonomy over recidivism prevention, framing consent as coerced in penal settings and irreversible effects as disproportionate, despite empirical evidence of efficacy. These positions, prevalent in academic and international human rights discourse, may reflect broader institutional biases favoring offender rights amid skepticism of punitive measures, potentially undervaluing causal evidence linking testosterone to behavior and the societal costs of unchecked recidivism.^[180] In contrast, first-principles evaluation weighs verifiable reductions in harm against ethical abstractions, suggesting that where recidivism data holds, normative prohibitions risk prioritizing ideology over outcomes protective of victims.

Applications in Animals

Veterinary and Agricultural Uses

In livestock production, castration of male animals is a standard practice to mitigate aggressive and sexual behaviors, thereby reducing injuries among herd members and improving handling safety during confinement or transport.^[181] For beef cattle, it produces steers with carcasses exhibiting enhanced marbling, tenderness, and fat distribution compared to intact bulls, which often yield leaner but tougher meat prone to dark cutting defects.^[182]^[183] Castration also prevents unintended breeding in mixed herds, supporting controlled population management on farms.^[182] In swine agriculture, surgical castration is nearly universal, with 100% of male piglets in the United States and approximately 80% in the European Union undergoing the procedure to eliminate boar taint—an off-odor and taste in pork from intact males caused by androstenone and skatole accumulation.^[184] Globally, this affects over 600 million pigs annually, as uncastrated males display heightened aggression and mounting, leading to welfare issues in intensive systems.^[185] For sheep and goats, castration similarly enhances meat tenderness and fat cover, avoiding the coarser texture of ram or buck meat while curbing territorial behaviors that complicate flock management.^[186] Common techniques vary by species and age. Surgical methods predominate, involving scrotal incision followed by testicular excision—via twisting for calves under 90 kg or emasculators for larger animals—to ensure hemostasis and minimize infection risk.^[181]^[10] Bloodless alternatives like elastration banding apply tight rubber rings to restrict blood flow, inducing gradual testicular atrophy over 3–6 weeks, though this method is unsuitable for older or heavier animals due to tetanus risks and prolonged discomfort.^[183]^[187] Emerging options include immunocastration via vaccines targeting GnRH to suppress testosterone without physical removal, offering welfare benefits but requiring multiple doses for efficacy.^[10] Procedures are ideally performed early—within days of birth for pigs and calves—to limit acute pain responses, as evidenced by reduced cortisol elevations in neonates.^[10]^[186] In equine veterinary contexts, such as for working mules or surplus colts, castration curbs stallion instincts like fighting and roaming, facilitating calmer disposition in agricultural draft roles, though it slightly reduces growth efficiency compared to intact males.^[11] Overall, these practices prioritize empirical outcomes in productivity and animal management, with producer-led execution common on farms under veterinary oversight.^[181]

Behavioral and Population Control Effects

Castration in male animals, particularly through removal of the testes, significantly reduces testosterone levels, leading to diminished sex hormone-driven behaviors such as roaming, mounting, and urine marking. In dogs, studies indicate that neutering decreases these behaviors in approximately 60% of cases, with reductions in roaming and marking observed in up to 90% of affected individuals in follow-up assessments.^[188]^[189] However, effects on aggression are inconsistent; while some evidence shows reduced inter-male aggression linked to dominance or sexual competition, other research finds no improvement or even increased fear-based reactivity and owner-directed aggression post-neutering, especially if performed early in life.^[190]^[191]^[192] In female animals, ovariohysterectomy (spaying) eliminates ovarian hormone production, suppressing estrus cycles and associated behaviors like vocalization and attraction of males, thereby reducing unwanted mating attempts. Empirical data from canine studies reveal mixed outcomes, with spayed females sometimes exhibiting heightened aggression toward strangers or owners compared to intact counterparts, potentially due to altered hormonal balances affecting stress responses.^[193]^[194] Early spaying has been linked to increased anxiety and fearfulness in some populations, though these effects vary by breed and timing.^[195]^[196] For population control, castration prevents reproduction, serving as a primary tool in managing overpopulation in companion animals, livestock, and feral groups. In domestic settings, routine neutering of pets has contributed to declining shelter euthanasia rates in regions with high compliance, directly curbing unintended litters.^[197] In feral cat colonies, trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs stabilize populations when capture rates exceed 75-82%, but lower rates often fail to prevent rebounds from immigration or surviving intact animals, with some models requiring annual captures of over 57% for elimination.^[198]^[199] Similarly, in free-roaming dogs and wildlife, fertility control via castration reduces birth rates more effectively than culling in sustained interventions, though logistical challenges limit broad efficacy.^[200] In livestock, castration of males converts aggressive bulls into docile steers, facilitating herd management and preventing unplanned breeding in confined systems.^[185]

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Dec 2, 2022 · Ovariectomy involves removing the major organ responsible for the production of estrogen, as well as other hormones and other functions of the ...
[53]
Estrogen Synthesis - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
The estrogen synthesis initially occurs in the granulosa cells, corpus luteum of ovaries, and the placenta [38]. When cytosolic cholesterol enters the ...<|separator|>
[54]
Castration differentially regulates nitric oxide synthase in ... - PubMed
Mammalian reproductive function is under control of the integrated hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Castration in male rats has been utilized as ...
[55]
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists versus ... - Frontiers
Feb 6, 2023 · Although no statistical significance was observed, the mean value of testosterone in orchiectomy group was higher than that in the LHRH agonist ...Missing: pathway | Show results with:pathway<|separator|>
[56]
Utilization and Outcomes of Surgical Castration in Comparison to ...
In the database, surgical castration was defined as endocrine surgery either after bilateral orchiectomy, orchiectomy for a single remaining testicle, or ...
[57]
Extent and pattern of symptom relief following surgical castration in ...
Oct 16, 2024 · Surgical castration has proven effective in relieving both bone pain and urinary symptoms for metastatic prostate cancer patients.
[58]
Surgical versus medical castration for metastatic prostate cancer
Feb 20, 2021 · In a retrospective analysis of SEER-Medicare, surgical castration was associated with lower risks of fractures (HR 0.77), peripheral arterial ...
[59]
How effective a punishment is 'chemical castration'? - DW
Mar 15, 2021 · "Chemical castration has not made society safer; still, it is propagated by conservative or right-wing parties as a solution for sex offenders," ...
[60]
Chapter 7: Effectiveness of Treatment for Adult Sex Offenders
... studies that examined the effectiveness of psychological interventions for sex offenders. ... MacKenzie (2006) also found that programs using chemical castration ...
[61]
Orchiectomy in transgender individuals: A motivation analysis ... - NIH
Apr 3, 2020 · Orchiectomy is a surgical procedure has been long available for transgender individuals. It causes infertility, decreased sex drive, breast enlargement.
[62]
Endocrine, gender dysphoria, and sexual function benefits of gender ...
Aug 29, 2024 · Gender-affirming bilateral orchiectomy is associated with a statistically significant decrease in gender dysphoria, estradiol, progesterone, and ...
[63]
Full article: Gender-affirming orchiectomy in transgender and non ...
Sep 10, 2024 · Complications comprised mainly hemorrhage (n = 5, 4%) and abscess formation (n = 7, 6%). These surgical outcomes are very much in line with ...
[64]
Risk for major adverse CV events increases for transgender women ...
Oct 25, 2022 · Transgender women have a higher risk for a major adverse CV event within 5 years of undergoing an orchiectomy compared with cisgender men and ...
[65]
Outcomes of Orchiectomy for Gender-affirming Surgery - PubMed
Jul 20, 2023 · Objective: To identify perioperative outcomes of transgender orchiectomy (TGO) and to broadly compare outcomes of TGO to cisgender ...
[66]
Long-term Surgical and Chemical Castration Deteriorates Memory ...
Jun 30, 2019 · In the current study, orchiectomy and goserelin treatment reduced short-term memory and worsened spatial memory. The hippocampus is a target of ...
[67]
Orchiectomy has fewer adverse effects than chemical castration for ...
Dec 24, 2015 · Men who had received GnRHa for 35 months or more were at the greatest risk of experiencing any fracture (hazard ratio 1.80), peripheral artery ...<|separator|>
[68]
Orchiectomy (Testicle Removal Surgery) - Cancer - WebMD
Dec 22, 2023 · Orchiectomy Side Effects · Low sex drive · Sexual or erectile dysfunction · Depression · Loss of muscle mass · Osteoporosis · Hot flashes · Weight gain ...Why Get An Orchiectomy? · Recovery · Life After An Orchiectomy<|separator|>
[69]
Quality of life in low-income men after surgical castration for ... - NIH
Surgical castration did not negatively impact general or disease-specific quality of life. The finding of improved urination after orchiectomy merits further ...
[70]
Time to Castration Resistance is Associated With Overall Survival ...
Jan 7, 2025 · The median OS was 60.7 months, and the median time to castration resistance was 13.1 months. Among 261 patients, 158 developed castration- ...
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Effect of bilateral oophorectomy on women's long-term health
Estrogen deficiency resulting from pre- and post-menopausal oophorectomies has been associated with higher risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, hip fracture ...
[72]
Oophorectomy Risks - News-Medical
Over the long-term, women who have had an oophorectomy are associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality from all causes of death.
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Removing ovaries before age 50 may increase the risk of chronic ...
Nov 1, 2016 · Women who had their ovaries removed between ages 46 and 49 were at increased risk for depression, anxiety, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, arthritis, ...
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Chemical Castration: Treatment, Procedure & Side Effects
Surgical castration is when a surgeon removes your testicles or ovaries to reduce or stop the production of sex hormones. Is vasectomy a form of castration? No, ...
[75]
Reversing the effects of androgen-deprivation therapy in men ... - NIH
In the present study, BAT was associated with significant improvements in body composition, lipid parameters, and quality of life.
[76]
USRF - Hidden Power: The Palace Eunuchs of Imperial China
Eunuchs, males who have been rendered sexually impotent by mutilation or removal of the external genitals, served as palace menials, harem watch-dogs, and ...
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Why Chinese Emperors Made Eunuchs Undergo Castration
Mar 29, 2023 · In order to become a eunuch, a boy would be castrated before puberty. The procedure was usually carried out by a specialized surgeon, and the ...
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Everything you need to know about eunuchs in Chinese history
Aug 15, 2024 · Most Chinese eunuchs were castrated by complete removal of the penis and testicles, leaving only a small opening for urination. This made ...
[79]
[PDF] eunuchism of imperial china from the perspective of world history
In imperial China, lacking in advanced (or formal) religion and slavery, castration was done mainly for palace eunuch-making, except for as a judicial or ...<|separator|>
[80]
Korean Eunuchs Lived Long And Prospered : Shots - NPR
Sep 25, 2012 · "The eunuchs were castrated at early age," they pointed out in an email to Shots. "It may have influenced puberty, maturity, and a variety ...
[81]
Korean Eunuchs Outlived Uncastrated Peers | Science | AAAS
Sep 24, 2012 · These eunuchs were allowed to marry and adopt castrated boys as their sons. The Yang-Se-Gye-Bo, a genealogical record of the eunuch families, ...
[82]
The lifespan of Korean eunuchs: Current Biology - Cell Press
Sep 25, 2012 · The average lifespan of eunuchs was 70.0 ± 1.76 years, which was 14.4–19.1 years longer than the lifespan of non-castrated men of similar socio-economic status.
[83]
Last of the emperor's eunuchs in Vietnam - Claire Boobbyer
Jun 25, 2014 · It's 100 years ago this year that the employment of imperial eunuch was abolished by the Nguyen Dynasty: Eunuchs were key members of the Nguyen ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[84]
[PDF] Eunuchs in Siam: Before, During and After the Reign of King Narai ...
The Chinese envoys sent in 1396, 1403, 1408 and 1416 are explicitly described as eunuchs (Wade 2005). The most famous Chinese eunuch,. Zheng He, undertook seven ...
[85]
[PDF] Terminologies on Eunuch-Hood in Hinduism, Islamic and ...
Sep 4, 2024 · Self-castration was a religious practise known in India since the second century BC. Te hijra community provides shelter for those who had.
[86]
Eunuchs in Ancient India - The Storytrails Blog - WordPress.com
Feb 5, 2020 · A eunuch was a man who had been castrated, usually as a condition of employment, and sometimes as a form of punishment. Early Islamic society ...
[87]
Skeletal effects of castration on two eunuchs of Ming China - J-Stage
Arguably the most famous and long lasting example of eunuch service is in China, where the eunuch system was firmly entrenched in the imperial culture and ...
[88]
The chilling details of the Arab Slave Trade in ... - Face2Face Africa
Mar 26, 2019 · Castration was done to boys between the ages of 9 and 12 and it was believed that they survived the process than an adult or adolescent. The ...
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https://oxfordre.com/religion/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-1247
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The Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem - Ideas
Even the earliest Ottoman sultans had harems guarded by eunuchs, and there was presumably always a head eunuch, or at least a primus inter pares. But the office ...
[91]
TURKISH SULTAN'S EUNUCHS - Qalam Global
For young eunuchs who survived castration, the first step was to undergo comprehensive training. Subsequently, a eunuch would assume the role of a regular guard ...
[92]
Castration and Islamic Slavery - Recalling Muslim Empires - Quora
In 1715, an Ottoman edict sent to Egypt – source of most of the empire's eunuchs – forbade the castration of young men, calling it inhumane, contrary to the ...
[93]
EUNUCHS - Encyclopaedia Iranica
Dec 15, 1998 · Castrated males who were in charge of the concubines of royal harems, served in the daily life of the court, and sometimes carried out administrative functions.<|separator|>
[94]
[PDF] Eunuchs as Guardians of Women in Achaemenid Persia
The allusion to Hermo- timus is an occasion for Herodotus to explain the “barbarian” practice of castration: “among the barbarians, eunuchs are more ...
[95]
East Africa's forgotten slave trade – DW – 08/22/2019
Aug 22, 2019 · There, they worked as field workers, teachers or harem guards, which is why the castration of male slaves was common practice. Muslims, on ...
[96]
Eunuchs and the Practice of Power in the Early Songhay Empire
Sep 1, 2023 · As eunuchs helped build Songhay, so it was a eunuch who brought it down: Jawdar Pasha (d. 1606), the Castilian-born leader of the Moroccan ...
[97]
Castration and Culture in the Middle Ages on JSTOR
For Romans, castration was a fact of life. Influenced by the Hellenistic East, the Roman Empire began to consume castrated slaves – eunuchs – from at least the ...
[98]
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[99]
Castration and emasculation in the Middle Age. The andrological ...
Mar 30, 2022 · The human castration in the Middle Ages was practiced in a few people: two or three blocked the victim while another tied the scrotal peduncle ...
[100]
From Ancient Rome to Persia, eunuchs often led armies and were ...
Oct 21, 2024 · Greek historians reported castration as war punishment, and persistently linked the castration of young boys to sexual slavery. The ancient ...
[101]
'One Stroak of His Razour': Tales of Self-Gelding in Early Modern ...
Nov 14, 2018 · Physical castration represented both the mutilation of God's creation, and an attempt to short-cut one's way to moral fortitude by removing the ...Summary · Acting 'Origen Secundus... · Conclusion
[102]
What was a castrato? And what did they sound like? - Classic FM
Mar 23, 2023 · But castrato singers first appeared in Europe in the mid-16th century. In 1589 a Papal bill was even passed ordering that the young boys and ...
[103]
The Sinister Angel Singers of Rome | Science History Institute
Dec 7, 2021 · The demand for castrati singers began in the 1500s in Italy and accelerated over the next few centuries. As for the castration itself, ...
[104]
Castrati: The Boys Castrated For Their High Singing Voices
May 23, 2023 · Starting in the 16th century, castrati were used by choirs as a substitution for women. But while some found fame and fortune, many more suffered in poverty ...
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Lincecum's law: white supremacy, castration, and Gideon ...
Oct 21, 2024 · Gideon Lincecum (1793–1874), an enslaver and physician from Texas, proposed a law advocating for the castration of criminals to prevent additional crimes ...<|separator|>
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Unwanted Sterilization and Eugenics Programs in the United States
Jan 29, 2016 · A survey of the shocking history of forced sterilization and eugenics programs in the United States in the 20th century.
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Eunuchs in Ancient China - World History Encyclopedia
Jul 27, 2017 · Eunuchs were powerful political players in ancient Chinese government ... A eunuch's duties, therefore, included exclusively serving the ...
[108]
Impotent Power: UA Historian Studies Eunuchs Of Imperial China
Jul 25, 2002 · In addition, eunuchs led military and exploratory expeditions, shaped domestic and foreign policy, and designed and built the Forbidden City - ...
[109]
Jane Hathaway, The Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Harem - Jadaliyya
Oct 3, 2018 · The office of Chief Harem Eunuch was officially created in 1588, when the sultan appointed the acting head of the harem eunuchs to this position ...
[110]
[PDF] The Fall of the Byzantine Eunuch - PDXScholar
Apr 25, 2022 · Though the Byzantine eunuch's demise seemed to parallel the empire's own collapse, eunuchs remained a presence in political institutions, albeit ...
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Eunuchs in the Byzantine empire
The last eunuch to serve as patriarch of Constantinople was Eustratios Garidas (1081–1084). Eunuchs were also active in monastic communities, but because of ...
[112]
The Seven Voyages of Zheng He - World History Encyclopedia
Feb 7, 2019 · Admiral Zheng He (aka Cheng Ho, c. 1371-1433 CE) was a Chinese Muslim eunuch explorer who was sent by the Ming dynasty emperor Yongle (r.
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ZHENG HE: THE GREAT CHINESE EUNUCH EXPLORER
In 1385, Zheng He was ritually castrated and trained as an imperial eunuch (See Eunuchs). Afterwards he was placed in the household of the 25-year-old Zhu Di, ...Missing: contributions | Show results with:contributions
[114]
Narses the Eunuch - Warfare History Network
Narses the Eunuch restored Byzantine control of central Italy and in the process proved to be one of the greatest generals of Late Antiquity.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
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Narses: Legendary General of the Byzantine Empire
Oct 8, 2024 · Narses the Eunuch (478–573 AD), born in Armenia, became one of the most distinguished generals and statesmen of the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian I.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
[116]
Top 10 eunuchs in ancient China -- china.org.cn
Dec 7, 2007 · Gao contributed much to the flourishing period in early Tang Dynasty, hence Gao is considered "conspicuous" among all the eunuchs in ancient ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[117]
EUNUCHS IN CHINA - Facts and Details
Court eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty were the first Chinese to play Western classical music. The eunuch Zheng Ho was China's greatest explorer. In the the Qing ...<|separator|>
[118]
Before his death, Chongzhen finally understood that the person who ...
Oct 9, 2025 · The Ming court was overshadowed by the "Nine Thousand Years Old" Wei Zhongxian. ... corruption, abuse of power, and forming a clique for personal ...<|separator|>
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Castration myth: Significance and symbolism
Oct 23, 2024 · The Castration myth in Hinduism signifies Siva's phallic severance in the Mahabharata, representing a transformative narrative intertwined with ...
[121]
The Castrated Gods and their Castration Cults
... spiritual powers associated with castration for gods and mortals ... The Castrated Gods and their Castration Cults: Revenge, Punishment, and Spiritual Supremacy ...
[122]
The Role of Hinduism in the Construction of Hijra Identity in Modern ...
Apr 1, 2017 · The castration process, called Nirvan, consists of an intricate religious ceremony that involves initiating communication with Bahuchara Mata.
[123]
Castrated for God - Devdutt Pattanaik
Sep 11, 2017 · ... castrated men, men without testicles, the gonads that produce the male hormone. Here, castration is seen as a technique to get closer to God.
[124]
Why shouldn't a male Buddhist monk either castrate himself or take ...
Jan 2, 2022 · As others have indicated, the Buddha didn't approve of castration. This can be generalized to a non-monastic context: just like how cutting ...How were Eunuchs castrated? : r/AskHistorians - RedditHow did victims of castration (Eunuchs) survive the procedure ...More results from www.reddit.com
[125]
Trans monk and precepts - Page 2 - Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum
Dec 13, 2023 · If a male has genitals removed, castration they become a eunuch which is not allowed to ordain. Becoming a eunuch involves being castrated.
[126]
What do Buddhists think of castration? - Quora
Feb 18, 2015 · Buddhist do not take a strong stance pro or against castration or anything similar, like testing on animals. There is no simple yes or no answer.
[127]
animals - Teachings From Tibet
In the context of religions teaching the law of karma castration is definitely not considered good. Some people think that attachment and desire may be ...
[128]
body piercing and disfigurement - Guide To Buddhism A To Z
Some religious and secular legal systems advocate physical disfigurement for certain crimes, e.g., branding, amputation, castration. Buddhism is against such ...
[129]
Bodily Changes: Castration as Cultural and Social Practice in the ...
Aug 20, 2021 · Bodily changes, such as castration, which Peng Liu argue is a trade between the physical body and cultural body in meeting the demands of ...
[130]
gong 宮, penal castration (www.chinaknowledge.de)
Penal castration (gong 宮) was one of the five capital punishments (wuxing 五刑) in ancient China. It was the second-heaviest penalty in ancient China.Missing: Taoism | Show results with:Taoism
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Does the Torah Prohibit Castrating Animals? - TheTorah.com
May 11, 2017 · Does the Torah Prohibit Castrating Animals? 123rf adapted. A Vague Prohibition of Gelding. Jewish law forbids the castration of animals.
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Negative Commandment 361 - Castration - Chabad.org
In the chapter Shemonah Sheratzim,3 our Sages said, "What is the source for the prohibition of castrating a man? The verse, 'in your land you may not do this' — ...
[133]
Castration - Jewish Virtual Library
The Bible directly refers to the ban on castration only by excluding castrated animals from serving as sacrifices on the altar.
[134]
291. Don't Do That, Either!: The prohibition against castrating animals
We may not hire non-Jews to castrate animals for us but we may purchase already-castrated animals from them and eat them.
[135]
What is a eunuch in the Bible? - Got Questions
Jan 4, 2022 · What is a eunuch in the Bible? ... The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect.
[136]
Origen's Castration - EARLY CHURCH HISTORY
Origen devoted himself to study and self-denial. When he was continually plagued by lust for women, he had himself castrated, an act known as an orchiectomy.
[137]
The Practice and Prohibition of Self-Castration in Early Christianity
This regional concentration suggests the non-Christian practice of self-castration was germane to the. Christian, but only Basil of Ancyra specifically draws ...
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Self-castration in early Christianity - Weird Universe
Jul 2, 2021 · Self-castration had become something of a fad among early Christians. Enough so that the bishops felt the need to put an official stop to the practice.
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The ruling on castration - Islam Question & Answer
Feb 13, 2015 · Castration of the human is haraam, whether he is a child or an adult, because of the prohibition on that, which we will see below.
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Castration of Male Genitals: Permissible? - Fiqh - IslamOnline
Castration is not permissible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have prohibited castration when a man who could not afford to get ...
[141]
Castrati | Metropolitan Opera
The earliest archival records of castrati date to the 1550s. At the time, castrati sang only sacred music; a biblical injunction against women singing in ...
[142]
The lost voice: a history of the castrato - PubMed
The initial stimulus for the production of castrati came from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, to provide singers for the complex church music of the time.
[143]
Castrati - a timeline - The Globe and Mail
Nov 20, 2009 · 1607 Claudio Monteverdi writes Orfeo , the first major opera, with several roles for castrati. 1720 - 1728 Handel writes a dozen major operas ...
[144]
Farinelli—The Best Castrato in Portraits | DailyArt Magazine
Castrati were male singers who had been castrated and Farinelli was the most famous castrato of them all. Here's Farinelli in portraits!
[145]
Classical 101 | Castrati: The Incredible History Of The Men Who ...
Jan 16, 2017 · While the operatic and performing castrati started to taper off with the mid-19th century, the Catholic Church continued to subject boys to the ...
[146]
The Castration of Coelus (Uranus) by his son, Saturn (Cronus ...
Artwork Details · Title: The Castration of Coelus (Uranus) by his son, Saturn (Cronus); Coelus seated at left, Saturn at right, Gaea standing in the background, ...
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Landscape with St. Philip Baptizing the Eunuch
Landscape with St. Philip Baptizing the Eunuch, 1678, oil on canvas, support: 35 1/2 x 57 1/2 inches (90.17 x 146.05 cm); framed: 47 1/2
[148]
Marcantonio Pasqualini (1614–1691) Crowned by Apollo
Among the most celebrated castrati, Pasqualini is crowned in this portrait by the god Apollo, who had been victorious in a musical contest with the satyr ...
[149]
The impact of surgical castration on sexual recidivism risk ... - PubMed
A review of the literature on castrated sex offenders reveals a very low incidence of sexual recidivism. The low sexual recidivism rates reported are critiqued ...
[150]
Coercion, Incarceration, and Chemical Castration: An Argument ...
For example, Wille and Beier (1989) identified a recidivism rate of 11 percent over 4 years of follow-up. Most studies have investigated the effectiveness of “ ...
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[PDF] in the united states: the legality of chemical castration for sex offenders
The statutes allow judges to assign chemical castration as a condition of parole to any sex offender, even though only certain types of sex offenders would ...
[152]
Louisiana bill proposes surgical castration for child sex offenders
Jun 4, 2024 · If passed into law, the bill would allow judges to order a surgical castration, which is more invasive than the chemical methods outlined in a ...
[153]
Chemical castration in the EU | E-005203/2017 - European Parliament
Aug 17, 2017 · In Poland, however, it has been possible since 2009 to sentence sexual offenders to compulsory chemical castration. Can the Commission state ...
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Besides Pakistan, here are five other countries with active castration ...
South Korea: The law passed in 2011 allows chemical castration for convicted child molesters who are at risk of repeating their crimes.
[155]
characterizing men who are voluntarily castrated (part I) - PubMed
We identified four factors that may promote castration ideations: (i) abuse sustained during childhood, including parental threats of castration; (ii) ...Missing: statistics | Show results with:statistics
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Eunuchs in Contemporary Society: Expectations, Consequences ...
Jul 10, 2007 · The major side effects experienced were loss of libido (66%), hot flashes (63%), and genital shrinkage (55%). The population had high self-rated ...Missing: physiology | Show results with:physiology<|separator|>
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New age eunuchs: motivation and rationale for voluntary castration.
The major reason (selected by 40% of respondents) for desiring castration was to achieve a "eunuch calm" and freedom from sexual urges; however, a large ...Missing: humans statistics<|separator|>
[158]
Choosing Castration: A Thematic Analysis of the Perceived Pros and ...
Nov 3, 2022 · The motivations for voluntary genital ablation vary. Many modern-day voluntary eunuchs desire androgen suppression to lower their libido ( ...
[159]
Characterizing Men Who Are Voluntarily Castrated (Part I)
We sought to characterize these modern eunuchs and to identify risk factors for genital self-mutilation or self-administered chemical castration.
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The hidden world of self-castration and testicular self-injury
Aug 7, 2025 · The thoughts of pursuing voluntary castration arise from a variety of reasons such as to reduce libido, correct a perception of their dysmorphic ...
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Voluntary eunuchs: Why do some men choose castration? - Big Think
Nov 9, 2022 · When asked why they elected to undergo castration, about half of respondents expressed a desire to achieve their “preferred self.” Others sought ...Missing: statistics | Show results with:statistics
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Castration and personality: Correlation of androgen deprivation and ...
We investigated the relationship of androgen deprivation to personality for voluntarily castrated males in a large-scale online survey.Missing: outcomes | Show results with:outcomes
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Voluntary Genital Ablations: Contrasting the Cutters and Their Clients
Some healthy males voluntarily seek castration without a recognized medical need. There are currently no standards of care for these individuals, ...
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Testosterone-Lowering Medication and Its Association With ...
A recent quasi-experimental study was able to show that the 25 individuals who committed a sexual offense and who have been treated with a combination of GnRH- ...
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Do Sex Offenders Have Higher Levels of Testosterone? Results ...
Physical and chemical castration of sex offenders: A review. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 25, 1-18. Crossref · Google Scholar. a [...] and sexual ...
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[PDF] Analyzing the Sex Disparity in Chemical Castration Sentences
"Chemical castration thus proves ineffective in reducing recidivism amongst sex offenders whose sexual urges are motivated by internal feelings of anger ...
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The impact of testosterone-lowering medication on recidivism in ...
Jun 5, 2024 · Treatment of individuals who have committed sexual offences with Testosterone-Lowering Medication (TLM) is a comparatively intrusive kind of intervention.
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Rape is wrong but death penalty, castration, not the answer - UN News
Oct 15, 2020 · While perpetrators of rape and other forms of sexual violence must be held accountable, capital punishment and torture are not the answer.
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Is Castration of Sex Offenders Ever Ethically Justified?
Sep 9, 2024 · Chemical castration has been linked to reduced recidivism for sex offenders. It suppresses testosterone levels, which have been found to ...
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What to know about Louisiana's new surgical castration law - NPR
Jul 1, 2024 · Louisiana is now the first state to allow surgical castration to be used as a punishment for sex crimes under a new law signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry.
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Chemical Castration Would Violate Human Rights of Sex Offenders
Chemical castration involves the administration of anti-androgenic drugs ... reversible when treatment is discontinued; there are, however, lasting side effects.
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Anti-libidinal Interventions and Human Rights - Oxford Academic
Feb 10, 2021 · If consent is free and informed then chemical castration may be rights-compliant, but if this is not the case or the state decides to have a ...
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[PDF] Danish Experiences Regarding the Castration of Sexual Offenders
As regards sexual offences in their entirety, the frequency of recidivism is seen to amount to 16.8 percent. Rape, indecent behaviour towards boys, and indecent ...
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[PDF] Belgium, Germany, England, Denmark and the United States
Jan 1, 1998 · Therefore, this. Comment analyzes the punishment of sex offenders and the use of registration and castration laws to ensure the future ...
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Castration for sex offenders: Treatment or punishment? A review ...
The recent European literature on surgical castration in treatment of sex offenders is reviewed. Results are reported of the most important empirical studi.
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The Effectiveness of Treatment for Sexual Offenders - ResearchGate
Aug 9, 2025 · The Effectiveness of Treatment for Sexual Offenders: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis ... castration are not. included in the moderator ...
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Effect on bone mineral density in surgical versus medical castration ...
Our results demonstrated significant reduction in BMD in spine and femur within 6 months of castration. There was no significant difference between the groups.
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Sexual Function After Voluntary Castration - PubMed
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(PDF) Chemical Castration: Limiting an Absolute Human Right
This article finds that firstly, chemical castration constitutes cruel, degrading, or inhuman treatment and secondly, that such a violation can be justified ...Missing: critiques | Show results with:critiques
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Louisiana's Castration Law - Völkerrechtsblog
Jul 28, 2024 · Critics interpret using castration as punishment to be conflicting with both constitutional prohibitions due to its irreversible physical ...Missing: normative critiques
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A survey of castration methods and associated livestock ...
Mar 3, 2010 · Castration of male calves destined for beef production is one of the most common livestock management practices performed in the United States ...
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On-Farm Castration: Techniques, Issues, and What's Coming - Beef
Castration in cattle can be accomplished by several different procedures with the most common being surgical castration or elastic band application (“banding”).
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Castration - BeefResearch.ca
Castrating bull calves soon after birth improves animal welfare, better health and feedlot gains, and enhanced marbling and tenderness compared to animals ...Timing · Elastrator banding · Burdizzo
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[PDF] Farm Animal Welfare Fact Sheet - USDA ARS
In cattle, about 88% of beef cattle in the U.S. are cas- trated. Castration of male livestock being reared for meat has long been practiced to prevent unwanted.
[185]
A review of castration in male animals and emerging alternatives
Aug 5, 2024 · Castration has been conducted to reduce male sex hormone-induced behavior and breeding in domestic animals since ancient times. Herds of sheep ...
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Castration of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats
Dec 19, 2024 · Castration can improve meat quality by increasing the distribution of fat, improving tenderness (cattle and sheep) (11-13), avoiding undesirable ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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https://www.ontario.ca/page/castration-calves
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Reasons for and Behavioral Consequences of Male Dog Castration ...
Jul 23, 2022 · The main reason (39%) for castration was undesirable behavior, including hyperactivity (8%), roaming (8%), mounting (7%), aggression (5%), ...
[189]
Does Spaying and Neutering Affect Behavioral Disorders in Dogs?
60% of dogs who were neutered showed a decrease in sexual behavior, inter-male aggression, roaming and marking. In 50% of the dogs who were neutered, owners ...
[190]
Effects of castration on problem behaviors in male dogs ... - PubMed
Jul 15, 1997 · Castration was most effective in altering objectionable urine making, mounting, and roaming. With various types of aggressive behavior, including aggression ...
[191]
[PDF] Behavioural Correlates of Neutering Male Dogs –a Question of Breed?
May 10, 2021 · The study found that intact male dogs are bolder and have lower aggression scores than neutered males. Neutering may worsen aggression based on ...
[192]
(PDF) Effects of castration on problem behaviors in male dogs with ...
Aug 5, 2025 · Castration may be effective in decreasing aggression in some dogs, but fewer than a third can be expected to have marked improvement.<|control11|><|separator|>
[193]
Behavioural risks in female dogs with minimal lifetime exposure to ...
Dec 5, 2019 · The current data suggest that dogs' tendency to show numerous behaviours can be influenced by the timing of spaying. They indicate how female ...
[194]
[PDF] Session I: Non-reproductive Effects of Spaying and Neutering
The results of the study suggest that spayed female dogs tend to be more aggressive toward their owners and to strangers than intact females, but that these ...
[195]
Behavioral Effects of Spay - Healthy and Happy Dog
In fact, the studies show that spay actually increases aggression, fearfulness and anxiety in the recipient, as well as making them more difficult to train. In ...Missing: empirical | Show results with:empirical
[196]
(PDF) The Impact of Pediatric Neutering in Dogs and Cats—A ...
(2023) and McKenzie (2010) note that this procedure can cause behavioral changes such as increased fear and shyness, and it may also predispose individuals to ...Missing: livestock | Show results with:livestock
[197]
Spay/Neuter: Why It's Vital for Pet Population Control and Health
Spaying or neutering your pet is essential for population control, prevents certain health issues, reduces behavioral problems, and can contribute to a longer, ...Missing: feral | Show results with:feral
[198]
Estimation of effectiveness of three methods of feral cat population ...
An annual capture rate of 57% eliminated the modeled population in 4,000 days by use of TVHR, whereas > 82% was required for both TNR and lethal control. When ...
[199]
How Effective and Humane Is Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) for Feral ...
Mar 27, 2020 · Overall, these studies reached the conclusion that TNR did not significantly reduce cat population sizes, but that population sizes increased ...
[200]
The Effectiveness of Dog Population Management: A Systematic ...
Approaches to manage dog populations include culling, fertility control, and sheltering. Understanding the effectiveness of each of these interventions is ...