Castration

Castration, removal of the gonads in humans or animals. Castration has been employed medically to combat some forms of cancer, but this use is declining. At one time castration was used as a means of eugenics. With the advent of newer, less drastic methods of sterilization, this procedure is no longer used as a means of family planning. In China and the Middle East, selected male children were castrated to serve as guards of womens' quarters or as chamberlains, but this practice ceased in the 20th century (see Eunuch). In Europe in the 16th through the 18th centuries, boys with fine voices were sometimes castrated to sing in church choirs as castrati because of the Roman Catholic ban on female singers (see Singing). Earlier operas, the so-called opera seria, frequently were written for adult castrati. The practice ended in the 19th century.

In animal husbandry, castration of male animals is called gelding and castration of females is called spaying. It is used for such purposes as selective breeding, increased docility, and, for pet cats and dogs, simple sterility.