2026-04-18T03:44:46Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/requestoai:recercat.cat:20.500.12327/31182025-10-22T11:20:43Zcom_2072_4428com_2072_4427col_2072_487898
RECERCAT
author
Morales, J.
author
Gispert, Marina
author
Hortós, Maria
author
Pérez, J.
author
Suárez, P.
author
Piñeiro, C.
other
Indústries Alimentàries
group
Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària
group
Qualitat i Tecnologia Alimentària
2025-10-22T11:20:43Z
2025-10-22T11:20:43Z
2010-09-01
Morales, J., M. Gispert, M. Hortos, J. Pérez, P. Suárez, and C. Piñeiro. 2010. “Evaluation of Production Performance and Carcass Quality Characteristics of Boars Immunised Against Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Compared With Physically Castrated Male, Entire Male and Female Pigs.” Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 8 (3): 599–606. doi: 10.5424/sjar/2010083-1255
1695-971X
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12327/3118
https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2010083-1255
The objectives of this study were to assess the performance and carcass quality characteristics of boars immunised
against gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH (IM) compared with physically castrated males (PM), entire males
(EM) and entire female pigs (EF). For the study 288 crossbred (Large White × Landrace) pigs were used comprising
four equal groups of 72 IM, 72 PM, 72 EM and 72 EF. The study period was from 74 days of age (31.2 ± 5.57 kg body
weight; mean ± std. dev.) to slaughter at 172 days of age (107.7 ± 14.82 kg body weight). PM were physically castrated
at 5 days of age and IM pigs were vaccinated with the GnRH vaccine Improvac® (Pfizer Animal Health) at 74 and 145
days of age (89.1 ± 15.93 kg body weight). Across the duration of the study period, growth rate was numerically highest
in IM group and significantly higher than EF (P < 0.01). This was also reflected in respective slaughter weights. EM
had the lowest feed:gain ratio (P < 0.001) followed by IM which had a lower ratio than both PM and EF. At slaughter,
testes weights were reduced in IM by approximately 55% (P < 0.001) compared with EM. Fat content (backfat thickness
and intramuscular fat) was higher and lean percentage of carcass lower in PM compared to all other groups (P < 0.05),
with no differences between EF, EM and IM. Boar taint compounds, skatole and androstenone, were lower in IM pigs
compared with EM (P < 0.05), and not differing from the concentrations measured in PM and EF. Immunisation of
entire male pigs against GnRH allows improved feed efficiency compared with physical castrates with no detriment
to carcass or meat quality.
eng
Attribution 4.0 International
Evaluation of production performance and carcass quality characteristics of boars immunised against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) compared with physically castrated male, entire male and female pigs
info:eu-repo/semantics/article