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


Silat

Pencak silat or silat ("fighting by using techniques of self-defence") is an Asian martial art with roots in the culture of the Malay people. This art is widely known in Indonesia and Malaysia but can also be found in varying degrees within countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines amongst others. It is estimated that there are hundreds of alirans (styles) and thousands of schools. Many of the alirans find their origin in the observation of wild animals fighting. "Harimau" (tiger) and "Monyet" (monkey) are some examples.

There are four main aspects to pencak silat:

  1. The "Mental-Spiritual" (mental and spiritual) aspect:
    Pencak silat builds and develops the personality and noble character of oneself
  2. The "Bela-Diri" (self-defence) aspect:
    Self-confidence and perseverance are very important.
  3. The "Seni Budaya" (culture, art) aspect:
    Culture and performing the "art" of pencak silat is very important. This combines Pencak Silat with traditional music and costumes.
  4. The "Olah Raga" (sport) aspect:
    This means that the physical aspect of pencak silat is important. We try to have a sound mind in a sound body. Competitions are part of this aspect.
    There are full-contact (Tanding) fights, as well as form demonstrations, for one (Tunggal), two (Ganda) or team (Regu) persons.

The styles and schools of pencak silat differ from each other with regard to which aspects are emphasised. It is thanks to the sport and self-defence aspects that this sport has become popular in Europe. However, many believe the essence of Pencak Silat is lost, or watered down, when converted to a sport and therefore still focus on traditional or spiritual forms of Silat, not strictly following the PERSILAT way.

Pencak Silat is a system that consists of Sikap (positions) and Gerak-gerak (movements). When pesilat (silat practitioners) are moving (when fighting) these sikap and gerak-gerak change continuously. As soon as one finds an opening in their opponent's defence, they will try to finish the opponent with a fast Serangan (attack).

Pencak Silat has a wide variety of defence and attacking techniques. Practitioners may use hands, elbows, arms, legs, knees and feet in attacks. Common techniques include kicking, hitting, tripping, sweeps, locks, takedowns, throws, strangles, and joint breaking.

The pesilat, or silat practitioner, practices with Juru-juru. A Juru is a series of meta-movements for the upper body used as a guide to learn the applications, or buah when done with a partner. The use of Langkah, or lower body meta movements teach the use of footwork. When combined, it is Dasar Pasan, or whole body flow.

Pencak Silat has developed rapidly during the 20th century and has become a competition sport under the PERSILAT rules and regulations. At the moment Pencak Silat is being promoted by PERSILAT in several countries on all five continents. The goal of PERSILAT is to make Pencak Silat an olympic sport. Apart from the official PERSILAT line of making Pencak Silat a competition sport, there are still many traditional styles practising old forms of Silek and Silat.

PERSILAT (Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antarabangsa, the International Pencak Silat Federation) is promoting Pencak Silat as an international competition sport. Only members recognised by PERSILAT are allowed to participate at international competitions.

At the moment some European national Pencak Silat federations together with PERSILAT have founded an European Pencak Silat Federation.

In 1986 the first Pencak Silat World Championship outside of Asia took place in Vienna, Austria.

In 2002 Pencak Silat was introduced as part of the exhibition programme at the Asian Games in Busan Korea for the first time.

The last World Championships 2002 took place in Penang, Malaysia in December 2002.

Bersilat is the word given to the act of doing silat.

List of Silat styles

External links





Last updated: 02-08-2005 00:47:56