Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries of a female animal. In the case of non-human animals, this is also called spaying. It is a form of sterilization.

The removal of the ovaries together with the Fallopian tubes is called salpingo-oophorectomy. Oophorectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy are not common forms of birth control in humans; more usual is tubal ligation, in which the Fallopian tubes are blocked but the ovaries remain intact.

In humans, oophorectomy is most usually performed together with a hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus. Its use in a hysterectomy when there are no other health problems is somewhat controversial.

In animals, spaying involves an invasive removal of the ovaries, but rarely has major complications; the superstition that it causes weight gain is not based on fact. Spaying is especially important for certain animals that require the ovum to be released at a certain interval (called estrus or "heat"), such as cats and dogs. If the cell is not released during these animal's heat, it can cause severe medical problems that can be averted by spaying or partnering the animal with a male.

Oophorectomy is sometimes referred to as castration, but that term is most often used to mean the removal of a male animal's testicles.

See also


Bobby Charlton

Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton (born October 11, 1937) is a former English football player, one of the most famous names in the game and a hero of the 1966 World Cup. He is still considered by many to be England's greatest ever footballer.

He was born in Ashington , a mining village in Northumberland. One of his uncles was professional footballer, Jackie Milburn, but it was Charlton's mother who coached him at first. His elder brother, Jack Charlton, went to work as a miner before also becoming a professional soccer player.

As a teenager, Charlton was picked for the England schoolboys' team, and as a result of his performance he was approached by several soccer clubs, including Manchester United. Under manager, Matt Busby, he was groomed for greater things. Charlton survived the Munich Air Disaster of February 6, 1958, which killed seven members of the team; he had been thrown clear of the wreckage. Three months later, he was playing in the F.A. Cup Final.

During his career, Charlton scored 49 international goals for England, winning 106 caps and a World Cup winners medal in 1966. He also won the FA Cup (1963), European Cup (1968) and three league titles (1957, 1965, 1967) with Manchester United F.C., playing 752 games and scoring 247 goals for United.

After leaving United in 1973 he was player-manager for one season for Preston North End and after another short but unsuccessful spell in football management he joined the board at Old Trafford. He was appointed an OBE in 1969 and a CBE in 1974, and was awarded a knighthood in 1994.

He had a haircut that some considered very humorous (bald on top, with the side bits grown long and combed over the top). His brother Jack Charlton was also a football player and was a defender at Leeds United F.C..



Last updated: 02-07-2005 15:37:56