Combined effect of dietary protein, ractopamine, and immunocastration on boar taint compounds, and using testicle parameters as an indicator of success
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.comThis 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.South African Pork Producers’ OrganisationSouth African Research Chairs in Meat Science Initiativehttps://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/11/1665Publisher's versio