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


Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis is the stage name of Bernard Schwartz (b. June 3 1925 in the Bronx, New York), an actor who has appeared in over 100 films since 1949. Curtis has also appeared frequently on television; he co-starred with Roger Moore in the TV series The Persuaders.

Since at least the early 1980s Curtis has had a second career as a painter.

Curtis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and received the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1995.

He has been married several times; his first wife was actress Janet Leigh, with whom he fathered actress Jamie Lee Curtis. He was also married to actress Christine Kaufmann in the 1960s.

Partial filmography

His earliest credited role is in the 1949 film City Across the River . He is probably best known for his role in the 1959 film Some Like It Hot, co-starring with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. Other notable roles include:

Politics

Curtis and actress-activist Bo Derek met with Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA) in Washington, D.C., in May 2004 to discuss protecting horses. The relevant bill is H.R. 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

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Last updated: 02-07-2005 05:30:53