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

• tubal ligation & birth control
• circumcision
• genital mutilation & female circumcision

Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. Abu Dhabi is also a city of the same name that is the capital of the country, in north central UAE. The city lies at the head of a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast.

Abu Dhabi is also a port facillity on the An estimated 1,000,000 lived there in 2000, with about an 80% expatriate population.

The area was originally settled by the Bani Yas in the late 18th century, along with Dubai, but in the 19th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways.

The local time is GMT + 4 hours.

Sunny/blue skies can be expected through-out the year. The months June through September is generally hot and humid with temperatures averaging above 110ºF (40ºC). The weather is usually pleasant from October to May. January to February is cooler and may require the use of a light jacket. The oasis city of Al Ain enjoys cooler temperatures even through summer due to sporadic rainfall.

In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut granted oil concessions , and oil was first found in 1958.

Abu Dhabi International Airport serves this city.

Postage stamps

Like the other emirates of the area, Abu Dhabi issued its own postage stamps, although exercising much more restraint than some. The first issue was a definitive series on March 30, 1964, marking the first anniversary of the 1963 opening of the Abu Dhabi post office. (mail was actually managed by the UK until the end of 1966.)

In 1966 the currency changed from rupees to fils and dirhams, necessitating a series of surcharges issued on October 1, 1966, and new definitives the following April. Abu Dhabi issued a final set, three views of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, on June 3, 1972 (six months after joining the UAE), for a total of 83 stamps.

See also

• Marawah

External links

• abudhabi.com http://www.abudhabi.com/
• Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry http://www.adcci-uae.com/
• Abu Dhabi National Oil Company http://www.adnoc.com/
• SPE history, with oil details http://www.spe.org/society/abudhabi/AbuDhabi-info.htm
• Abu Dhabi postal history http://www.angelfire.com/ok/ABUDHABISTAMPS/
• ADIAS http://www.adias-uae.com , Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey