Vaccination of boars with a GnRH vaccine (Improvac) eliminates boar taint and increases growth performance.

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
pp. 2524 ◽  
Author(s):  
F R Dunshea ◽  
C Colantoni ◽  
K Howard ◽  
I McCauley ◽  
P Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Boar Taint

scholarly journals Effect of Supplementing Hydrolysable Tannins to a Grower–Finisher Diet Containing Divergent PUFA Levels on Growth Performance, Boar Taint Levels in Back Fat and Intestinal Microbiota of Entire Males

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Tretola ◽  
Federica Maghin ◽  
Paolo Silacci ◽  
Silvia Ampuero ◽  
Giuseppe Bee
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Retrospective Data Analysis ◽  
Hydrolysable Tannins ◽  
Main Components ◽  
The Impact

A retrospective data analysis suggested that the levels of boar taint compounds depend on the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) level of the adipose tissue (AT) being significantly greater in the unsaturated AT. In addition, we recently reported that hydrolysable tannins (HTs) offered to entire males (EMs) reduce skatole and, to a greater extent, indole levels in the AT. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the impact of HTs and a high dietary level of PUFA on growth performance and board taint compounds in EMs. In addition, the interaction between PUFA and HTs on gut microbiota and its link to intestinal skatole and indole production was investigated. At 25 kg BW, 44 EM originating from 11 litters were randomly assigned within litter to four dietary treatments. Two basal grower (25–60 kg BW) and finisher (60–105 kg BW) diets containing either 2% soy oil (H = high PUFA level) or 2% tallow (L = low PUFA level) were formulated. The H and L diets were either supplemented (H+/L+) or not (H−/L−) with 3% chestnut extract containing 50% HTs. The pigs had ad libitum access to the diets and were slaughtered at 170 days of age. The microbiota composition was investigated through the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained by next-generation sequencing (Illumia MiSeq platform, San Diego, CA, USA) and analyzed with a specific packages in R, version 3.5.0. Regardless of the PUFA content, the EMs fed the H+ diets were 2% (p < 0.01) less feed efficient overall. This was due to the slower (p = 0.01) growth in the finisher period despite similar feed intake. Carcass characteristics were not affected by the diets. Regardless of HT feeding, the PUFA level in the AT of the H pigs was 10% greater (p = 0.05) than in the L pigs. The indole level tended (p = 0.08) to be 50% lower in the H+ group. Surprisingly, the pigs that were fed diet H− had greater skatole levels than those fed diet L−, with intermediate skatole levels in the H+ and L+. Independent of the PUFA level, the HTs decreased bacteria abundance and qualitatively affected the microbiota composition. In conclusion, these data do not confirm that boar taint compound levels were related to PUFA levels in the AT. However, HTs can be considered to be a promising alternative to conventional antibacterial additives, with no detrimental effects on pig gut health and with appealing properties for reducing the synthesis of the main components of boar taint.

scholarly journals Effects of immunocastration on growth performance, body composition, meat quality, and boar taint

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 249-258
Author(s):  
R. Stupka ◽  
J. Čítek ◽  
K. Vehovský ◽  
K. Zadinová ◽  
M. Okrouhlá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Large White ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Daily Gain

The study objective was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration in the period between the first and second vaccinations and subsequently between the second vaccination and slaughter on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and boar taint, and compare results in immunocastrated males (IC), uncastrated boars (UCM), surgically castrated barrows (CM), and gilts (FE). The study included 70 pigs of the Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) crossbreed. Upon the overall assessment of the selected fattening indicators (average daily gain, feed intake), significant differences between CM and the other groups were demonstrated. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found between the IC, UCM, and FE groups. In this test, immunocastrates showed no negative effect from the second vaccination in relation to those carcass value indicators evaluated in comparison with UCM and FE. CM showed adversely lower carcass value parameters compared the other groups. No significant differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat were found. The values of these indicators obtained for IC converged with those measured in UCM and FE. It was demonstrated that immunocastration prevented the occurrence of undesired boar taint. Androstenone decreased by 77% and skatole by 71% in IC as compared to UCM.

scholarly journals Combined Effect of Dietary Protein, Ractopamine, and Immunocastration on Boar Taint Compounds, and Using Testicle Parameters as an Indicator of Success

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1665
Author(s):  
Tersia Needham ◽  
Rob M. Gous ◽  
Helet Lambrechts ◽  
Elsje Pieterse ◽  
Louwrens C. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
Seminiferous Tubule ◽  
Combined Effect ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Dietary Protein Level ◽  
Epithelium Thickness ◽  
Ractopamine Hydrochloride

This study investigates the combined effect of immunocastration, dietary protein level (low, medium or high) and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation (0 or 10 mg/kg) on the adipose concentrations of androstenone, skatole and indole in pigs, and explores whether body mass, carcass fatness or testicular parameters may be indicators of boar taint in these carcasses. Immunocastration was successful in decreasing testicle functioning, and adipose androstenone and skatole concentrations, in all individuals. Immunocastration decreased testicle weight and length, seminiferous tubule circumference and epithelium thickness. Testicle tissue from immunocastrates was also paler, and less red in color, in comparison to non-castrated controls. Dietary protein level and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation had no influence on the adipose concentration of androstenone, skatole and indole. Testicle size and color were moderate to strong indicators of androstenone and skatole concentrations in the carcasses, and thus vaccination success. Immunocastration together with the adjustment of dietary protein and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation, is successful in preventing boar taint while maintaining growth performance.

scholarly journals Ebermast mit unterschiedlicher Proteinversorgung

1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 583-592
Author(s):  
E. Kallweit ◽  
N. Parvizi ◽  
F. Klobasa ◽  
M. Henning ◽  
H. Böhme
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Fat Deposition ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Feeding Experiment ◽  
Fattening Performance ◽  
Reduced Fat ◽  
Protein Supply

Abstract. Title ofthe paper: Boar fattening with different protein supply in the diet In the literature numerous studies are found that proof a superior fattening performance and carcass composition for boars compared to female and castrated pigs. The results in the feeding experiment presented here do not confirm this to the same extend. Even with a high protein and lysine supplementation growth performance of boars was lower than in females. Lean content was determined by FOM grading which might underestimate the boars. Lean to fat ratio (areas of M. long dorsi and back fat) however was significantly different between castrates and all boar groups due to the reduced fat deposition. Sensoric tests detected significant boar taint in the majority ofthe samples from male carcasses. Considering the tendency on the market for increasing carcass weights and the risk of boar taint in heavier pigs boar fattening can not be recommended in Germany.

Immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) increases growth and reduces variability in group-housed boars

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. Dunshea ◽  
G. M. Cronin ◽  
J. L. Barnett ◽  
P. H. Hemsworth ◽  
D. P. Hennessy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Daily Gain

It is generally accepted that entire boars are leaner and more efficient than barrows but that they have poorer meat quality with an increased risk of boar taint. An additional issue in producing boars to meet market specifications is variation in growth performance, which may be exacerbated by high levels of aggression and mounting behaviour in group-housed animals. Immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), leading to immunological castration, offers a means of reducing aggression and mounting behaviour while maintaining most of the production efficiencies associated with entire boars. A total of 120 control boars, 120 immunised boars and 60 barrows (physically castrated at 5 days of age) were used in a study conducted in two replicates. Each replicate consisted of two pens each of boars, immunised boars and barrows, each pen containing 15 pigs, and two blocks of 15 individually-housed boars and immunised boars. The group-housed pigs had access to two single place electronic feeders per pen. Immunised boars were given the anti-GnRH vaccine (Improvac) at 14 and 18 weeks of age. In the 2 weeks immediately after the secondary immunisation at 18 weeks, average daily gain was greater in the immunised boars than the boars or barrows, particularly in those that were group housed, as indicated by the interaction (P = 0.035). From 18 to 23 weeks of age average daily gain was greater (P = 0.005) in immunised boars than in control boars and barrows and was greater (P < 0.001) in individually- than in group-housed pigs. The average daily gain of group-housed immunised boars and individually-housed control boars were similar over the 5-week period after secondary immunisation (1090 vs 1099 g/day), being ~20 and 15% higher than the group-housed control boars and barrows, respectively. The average daily feed intake was greater (P = 0.011) in immunised boars than in control boars with barrows intermediate. The standard deviation of bodyweight increased with age but was lower (P from 0.032 to 0.09) in immunised boars than in control boars and barrows between 18 and 22 and 17 and 21 weeks of age. Carcass fighting damage and pork pH were higher (P < 0.05) for control boars than for immunised boars or barrows. In conclusion, immunisation against GnRH increased average daily gain and average daily feed intake while decreasing variation in bodyweight and improving carcass and pork quality.

scholarly journals Influence of Housing Conditions on Reliability of Immunocastration and Consequences for Growth Performance of Male Pigs

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Kress ◽  
Ulrike Weiler ◽  
Sonja Schmucker ◽  
Marjeta Čandek-Potokar ◽  
Milka Vrecl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Social Mixing ◽  
Reliable Procedure ◽  
Gonadal Status ◽  
Daily Gain

Immunocastration is a sustainable alternative to piglet castration but faces limited market acceptance. The phenomenon of non-responders has not to date been examined in detail, but adverse and stressful housing conditions (e.g., mixing of groups) might impair the success of vaccinations. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of housing conditions on the immune response after two Improvac® vaccinations at an age of 12 and 22 weeks, respectively. Boars, immunocastrates and barrows (n = 48 each) were assigned to three different housing conditions (n = 36 enriched, n = 36 standard n = 72 repeated social mixing). Immune response was quantified by measuring GnRH-binding and its consequences for testosterone concentrations, development of the genital tract and boar taint. Growth performance was evaluated via average daily gain (ADG). GnRH-binding and testosterone levels revealed that immunocastration reliably suppressed testicular functions after the 2nd vaccination. Housing conditions did not modify testicular function but influenced ADG as animals under mixing grew slower than those under enriched conditions. Gonadal status had only a slight impact on ADG except in immunocastrates, which showed a temporarily higher ADG after the 2nd vaccination. The results show that immunocastration is a reliable procedure under different housing conditions and competitive in terms of growth performance.

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