Influence of Immunocastration and Diet on Meat and Fat Quality of Heavy Female and Male Pigs

Pérez-Ciria, Leticia; Miana-Mena, Francisco Javier; López-Mendoza, María Carmen; Álvarez-Rodríguez, J.; Latorre, M. A.

doi:10.3390/ani11123355

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 76 publications

(161 reference statements)

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“…Other authors [48,49] did not find it significant, but numerically observed the same effect. The lower carcass fatness detected in IM, in the current study, was also observed in the intramuscular fat content of the pork of these animals [52]. This is because IM are similar to entire males until immunocastration is effective, shortly after the second dose, and later they behave as castrated males [53], while SCM are barrows from the first week of life.…”

Section: Carcass Qualitysupporting

confidence: 72%

Effect of Castration Type and Diet on Growth Performance, Serum Sex Hormones and Metabolites, and Carcass Quality of Heavy Male Pigs

Pérez-Ciria

Miana-Mena

Álvarez-Rodríguez

et al. 2022

Animals

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A trial was carried out to study the effect of type of castration and diet on pigs destined for Teruel ham production, which is a Spanish protected designation of origin for dry-cured ham. A total of 144 Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) male pigs were used. Half of them were surgically castrated and the other half were immunocastrated with three doses at approximately 25, 58 and 79 kg of body weight. Furthermore, three diets (control vs. high energy vs. low crude protein-CP- and amino acids-AA) were tested from 80 to 137 kg of body weight. Growth performance, serum sex hormones and metabolites, and carcass quality were evaluated. Immunocastrated males grew faster and had better feed conversion ratio than surgically castrated males, but presented lower carcass fatness. Pigs fed the high-energy diet and the low-CP and -AA diet were more efficient at transforming feed into gain than those fed the control diet, but no effect was detected on carcass quality. In conclusion, surgically castrated males are preferable than immunocastrated males for Teruel dry-cured ham elaboration. Besides, a high-energy diet or a low-CP and -AA diet might improve productive performances, but does not provide any benefit in terms of carcass quality.

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Section: Carcass Qualitysupporting

confidence: 72%

Effect of Castration Type and Diet on Growth Performance, Serum Sex Hormones and Metabolites, and Carcass Quality of Heavy Male Pigs

Pérez-Ciria

Miana-Mena

Álvarez-Rodríguez

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…Therefore, the definition of an ideal immunization program could be used to meet the needs of a specific group of consumers. In another study, immunocastration led to a slight reduction of intramuscular fat but provided a similar or better fatty acid profile in terms of fat consistency [ 9 ]. Other authors found no differences in the meat quality after immunocastration and surgical castration [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leydig Cells in Immunocastrated Polish Landrace Pig Testis: Differentiation Status and Steroid Enzyme Expression Status

Pawlicki

Gałuszka

Pardyak

et al. 2022

IJMS

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Porker immunocastration against gonadoliberin (GnRH) secretion has been utilized since 2009; however, consumers are still skeptical of it. This is due to not having full information available on the problem of a boar taint, as well as a lack of research on morphological and molecular changes that may occur in the animal reproductive system and other body systems. The present study aimed to explore the functional status of steroidogenic Leydig cells of the testicular interstitial tissue in immunocastrated Polish Landrace pigs. Analyses were performed using Western blot, immunohistochemistry for relaxin (RLN), insulin-like 3 protein (INSL3), pelleted growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), cytochrome P450scc, 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β-HSD, 17β-HSD), cytochrome P450arom, and 5α-reductase (5α-RED). Immunoassay ELISA was used to measure the androstenone, testosterone, and estradiol levels in the testis and serum of immunocastrates. We revealed disturbances in the distribution and expression of (i) RLN, indicating an inflammatory reaction in the interstitial tissue; (ii) INSL3 and PDGFRα, indicating alterations in the differentiation and function of fetal, perinatal, or adult Leydig cell populations; (iii) P450scc, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, P450arom, and 5α-RED, indicating disturbances in the sex steroid hormone production and disturbed functional status of Leydig cells; as well as (iv) decreased levels of androstenone, testosterone, and estradiol in testicular tissue and serum, indicating the dedicated action of Improvac to reduce boar taint at both the hypothalamic–hypophysis–gonadal axis and local level (Leydig cells). In summary, our study provides a significant portion of knowledge on the function of Leydig cells after immunocastration, which is also important for the diagnosis and therapy of testis dysfunction due to GnRH action failure and/or Leydig cell differentiational–functional alterations.

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“…A three dose protocol is also used for male pigs with life cycles like Iberian pigs. Pérez-Ciria et al [32] assessed the effect of immunocastration on male and female pigs and three types of experimental diets on meat and fat quality for Teruel dry cured ham. In this study, male pigs received the three doses at around 8, 14, and 17 weeks of age and were slaughtered between 25 and 28 weeks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Immunocastration Affect Behaviour and Body Lesions in Heavy Pigs?

Rossi

Costa

Filipe

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

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Immunocastration has been pointed out as an alternative to surgical castration; though, most of the scientific studies were performed in light pig production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of immunocastration on animal welfare in heavy pig production through the evaluation of behaviour and body lesions. A total of 188 commercial-hybrid pigs were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: surgical castration (SC) and immunocastration with Improvac® (IC). Data on behaviour, body lesions, and salivary testosterone levels were collected the day before each vaccination at 15, 22, 32, and 36 weeks of age. IC and SC pigs were slaughtered at 40 and 41 weeks of age, respectively; productive and carcass traits data were also collected. Considering productive performance, our results confirmed that IC pigs grew faster and presented a higher weight at slaughter. A critical period for pig welfare was observed before 32 weeks: testosterone concentration and body lesion score were significantly higher in IC pigs compared to SC pigs; active behaviours were significantly more frequent in IC at 15 weeks. Immunocastration may represent a suitable alternative to surgical castration with profitable productive performances, whereas the impairment of welfare during the period before the effective vaccination should be further investigated as a potential critical aspect in heavy pig production.

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Influence of Immunocastration and Diet on Meat and Fat Quality of Heavy Female and Male Pigs

Cited by 11 publications

References 76 publications

Effect of Castration Type and Diet on Growth Performance, Serum Sex Hormones and Metabolites, and Carcass Quality of Heavy Male Pigs

Effect of Castration Type and Diet on Growth Performance, Serum Sex Hormones and Metabolites, and Carcass Quality of Heavy Male Pigs

Leydig Cells in Immunocastrated Polish Landrace Pig Testis: Differentiation Status and Steroid Enzyme Expression Status

Does Immunocastration Affect Behaviour and Body Lesions in Heavy Pigs?

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