Responses to restricted index selection and genetic parameters for fat androstenone level and sexual maturity status of young boars

Sellier, Pierre; Roy, Pascale Le; Fouilloux, M-N; Gruand, Joseph; Bonneau, Michel

doi:10.1016/s0301-6226(99)00127-x

Cited by 57 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In the literature, the average heritability value of androstenone levels is high (h 2 = 0.56), ranging from 0.25 to 0.88 [35] with recent estimated values in the same range [36,48]. Skatole levels show medium heritability values ranging from 0.19 to 0.54 [31,45].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and metabolic aspects of androstenone and skatole deposition in pig adipose tissue: A review(Open Access publication)

Robic

Larzul²,

Bonneau³

2007

Genet. Sel. Evol.

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-High levels of androstenone and skatole in fat tissues are considered the primary causes of boar taint, an unpleasant odour and flavour of the meat from non-castrated male pigs. The aim of this article is to review our current knowledge of the biology and genetic control of the accumulation of androstenone and skatole in fat tissue. Two QTL mapping studies have shown the complexity of the genetic control of these traits. During the last ten years, several authors have taken a more physiological approach to investigate the involvement of genes controlling the metabolism of androstenone and skatole. Although some authors have claimed the identification of candidate genes, it is more appropriate to talk about target genes. This suggests that genes affecting androstenone and skatole levels will have to be sought for among specific or non-specific transcription factors interacting with these target genes.androstenone / skatole / pig / boar taint / QTL

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and metabolic aspects of androstenone and skatole deposition in pig adipose tissue: A review(Open Access publication)

Robic

Larzul²,

Bonneau³

2007

Genet. Sel. Evol.

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“…Since then, a number of research groups have used biopsy methods to measure boar taint compounds for experimental purposes (e.g. Bonneau, 1987;Keller et al, 1997;Sellier et al, 2000). Geverink et al (1999) described behavioural and physiological responses of pigs (n 5 10) biopsied (muscle tissue); 70% of the pigs vocalized when the biopsy was taken, and all pigs flinched in response to the biopsy in that study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A single-generation selection experiment resulted in delayed puberty in gilts, but not in boars when animals exhibiting low levels of androstenone were selected (Sellier and Bonneau, 1988). Phenotypic correlations (0.13 to 0.71) between androstenone and the size or weight of various male genital tract measurements have been published (Sellier et al, 2000). Half of the genes in finishing pigs originate from dam lines, which commonly underlie strong selection for fertility.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A performance test for boar taint compounds in live boars

Baes

Mattei

Luther

et al. 2013

Animal

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Genetically reducing boar taint using low-taint lines is considered the most sustainable and economic long-term alternative to surgical castration of male pigs. Owing to the high heritability of the main boar taint components (androstenone, skatole and indole), breeding is an excellent tool for reducing the number of tainted carcasses. To incorporate boar taint into breeding programmes, standardized performance testing is required. The objective of this study was to develop and formally present a performance test for the main boar taint compounds on live breeding candidates. First, a standardized performance test for boar taint was established. A biopsy device was developed to extract small tissue samples (200 to 300 mg) from breeding candidates. Quantification of boar taint components from these small samples using specialized chemical extraction methods proved accurate and repeatable (r 5 0.938). Following establishment of the method, biopsy samples of 516 live boars (100 to 130 kg live weight) were collected in the second step. Various mixed linear models were tested for each boar taint compound; models were ranked in terms of their information content. Pedigree information of 2245 ancestors of biopsied animals was included, and genetic parameters were estimated using univariate and multivariate models. Androstenone (in mg/g liquid fat (LF): mean 5 0.578, s 5 0.527), skatole (in mg/g LF: mean 5 0.033, s 5 0.002) and indole (in mg/g LF: mean 5 0.032, s 5 0.002) levels obtained by biopsy were plausible. Heritability estimates for androstenone calculated with univariate (0.453) and multivariate (0.452) analyses were comparable to those in the literature. Heritabilities for skatole (0.495) and indole (0.550) were higher than that for androstenone. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were similar to those published previously. Our results show that data on boar taint compounds from small adipose samples obtained by biopsy provide similar genetic parameters as that described in the literature for larger samples and are therefore a reliable performance test for boar taint in live breeding candidates.

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“…For example, Willeke et al (1987) observed a delayed puberty in the gilts of a 'low androstenone' line. Using a selection index associating androstenone and bulbo-urethral gland thickness (Sellier et al, 2000) resulted in increased bulbourethral gland size and no reduction in androstenone due to inaccuracies in estimated genetic parameters for these traits. It is therefore desirable to identify animals that have a decreased genetic capacity to accumulate androstenone in fat while maintaining the normal levels of testicular steroids that are characteristic of intact males.…”

Section: Genetic Effects On Boar Taintmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochemical, nutritional and genetic effects on boar taint in entire male pigs

Zamaratskaia

Squires

2009

Animal

191

179

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Pork odour is to a great extent affected by the presence of malodorous compounds, mainly androstenone and skatole. The present review outlines the current state of knowledge about factors involved in the regulation of androstenone and skatole in entire male pigs. Androstenone is a pheromonal steroid synthesised in the testes and metabolised in the liver. Part of androstenone accumulates in adipose tissue causing a urine-like odour. Skatole is produced in the large intestine by bacterial degradation of tryptophan and metabolised by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes and sulphotransferase. The un-metabolised part accumulates in adipose tissue, causing faecal-like odour. Androstenone levels are mostly determined by genetic factors and stage of puberty, whereas skatole levels in addition to genetic background and hormonal status of the pigs are also controlled by nutritional and environmental factors. To reduce the risk of tainted carcasses entering the market, male pigs are surgically castrated in many countries. However, entire males compared to castrates have superior production characteristics: higher growth rate, better feed efficiency and leaner carcasses. Additionally, animal welfare aspects are currently of particular importance in light of increasing consumers' concerns. Nutrition, hormonal status, genetic influence on boar taint compounds and the methods to develop genetic markers are discussed. Boar taint due to high levels of skatole and androstenone is moderately heritable and not all market weight entire males have boar taint; it should thus be possible to select for pigs that do not have boar taint. In these studies, it is critical to assess the steroidogenic potential of the pigs in order to separate late-maturing pigs from those with a low genetic potential for boar taint. A number of candidate genes for boar taint have been identified and work is continuing to develop genetic markers for low boar taint. More research is needed to clarify the factors involved in the development of boar taint and to develop additional methods to prevent the accumulation of high concentrations of skatole and androstenone in fat. This review proposes those areas requiring further research.

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Responses to restricted index selection and genetic parameters for fat androstenone level and sexual maturity status of young boars

Cited by 57 publications

References 27 publications

Genetic and metabolic aspects of androstenone and skatole deposition in pig adipose tissue: A review(Open Access publication)

Genetic and metabolic aspects of androstenone and skatole deposition in pig adipose tissue: A review(Open Access publication)

A performance test for boar taint compounds in live boars

Biochemical, nutritional and genetic effects on boar taint in entire male pigs

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