Combined effect of dietary protein, ractopamine, and immunocastration on boar taint compounds, and using testicle parameters as an indicator of success
Date
2020-11-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
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.
Description
CITATION: Needham, T. et al. 2020. Combined effect of dietary protein, ractopamine, and immunocastration on boar taint compounds, and using testicle parameters as an indicator of success. Foods, 9(11):1665, doi:10.3390/foods9111665.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Keywords
Androstenone, Dietary proteins, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Pigs -- Breeding, Pigs -- Feeding and feeds
Citation
Needham, T. et al. 2020. Combined effect of dietary protein, ractopamine, and immunocastration on boar taint compounds, and using testicle parameters as an indicator of success. Foods, 9(11):1665, doi:10.3390/foods9111665.