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


State of Palestine

دولةفلسطين
Daulat Filastin
Palestinianflagproposed.gif Image:Pna_logo.jpg
Proposed Flag of Palestine PNA Coat of Arms
image:LocationPalestine.png
Area initially claimed by State of Palestine
Official language Arabic
Proclaimed Capital Jerusalem
Proclaimed Area
 - West Bank
 - Gaza Strip
 - Israel
not ranked
5,860 km²
360 km²
20,770 km²
Population
 - West Bank
 - Gaza Strip
not ranked
2,020,298 (2000)
1,225,911 (2002)
Declaration of Independence 15 November 1988
Time zone UTC +2
National anthem Biladi


The State of Palestine was unilaterally proclaimed on November 15, 1988, by the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the PLO, in Tunis. At the time, the PLO did not have control over any part of Palestine (or any other territory), and therefore the State of Palestine did not fulfill one of the typical requirements for an autonomous state - namely, being in possession of sovereign territory. However, the declaration laid claim to the whole of Palestine, as defined by the British Mandate of Palestine, which includes the whole of Israel.

The State of Palestine was recognized immediately by the Arab League and many other countries; about two-thirds of the world's countries recognize it today. The State maintains embassies in these countries (which are generally Palestine Liberation Organization delegations).

The State of Palestine is not currently recognized by the United Nations or by any Western country. However, some European Union countries (including the United Kingdom) maintain diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority, established under the auspices of the Oslo Accords.

The 2003 Road map for peace calls for a series of steps, each contingent on the previous steps, leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Included among these steps is dismantling of Palestintian terrorist groups by the Palestinian Authority. Additional steps are required of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

See Also

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Last updated: 01-28-2005 05:00:29