Abstract
Simple SummaryThe rearing of heavy pigs in Italy is an important part of the production of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) hams. Along with the standard quality characteristics, the quality of products with animal origin is also assessed by the level of animal welfare. Evaluation of hair steroid concentrations has been considered an effective approach to assess stress in mammals. The advantage of using hair for this process is that it provides an integrated measure of hormone concentrations over medium- and long-term periods, it can be simply and non-invasively collected, and it does not require any special expedient for storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hair cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and sexual steroid concentrations in fattening pigs at 36 weeks of age before slaughtering through a non-invasive approach. Females had significantly higher cortisol levels, significantly lower concentrations of DHEA, and significantly higher cortisol/DHEA ratios than barrows. Progesterone was significantly higher in gilts than in barrows. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol were significantly higher in barrows than in gilts. These results will allow us to plan future research with the aim of identifying threshold values in order to set up strategies to control the allostatic load and to increase the resilience of fattening pigs.The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility and reliability of using hair as a matrix to determine the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and sexual steroid concentrations and the cortisol/DHEA ratio in fattening pigs. The results could be also used to plan future research to identify threshold values in order to set up strategies to control the allostatic load and increase the resilience of fattening pigs before slaughter. The study was conducted on 107 commercial crossbred rearing pigs. The hair samples were taken by shaving at the age of 36 weeks, and concentrations of the hormones were measured using a solid-phase microtiter radioimmunoassay. Females had significantly higher cortisol levels (p < 0.01), significantly lower DHEA concentrations (p < 0.05) and significantly higher cortisol/DHEA ratios (p < 0.01) than barrows. Progesterone was significantly higher in gilts than in barrows (p < 0.01). Testosterone and 17β-estradiol were significantly higher in barrows than in gilts (p < 0.05). If future research can produce threshold values for the different markers examined, the evaluation of animals under subclinical stress conditions will be possible.
Highlights
The rearing of heavy pigs in Italy is an important part of the production of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) hams [1], such as the “Prosciutto di San Daniele” and the “Prosciutto di Parma”
Allostatic load and resilience can be evaluated through biological markers, such as cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) [5,6,7], dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) [8], and their ratios [9,10]
The main objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility and reliability of using hair as a matrix to determine the DHEA and sexual steroid concentrations and the cortisol/DHEA ratio in fattening barrows and gilts that could be used to plan future research to identify threshold values in order to set up strategies to control the allostatic load and increase the resilience of fattening piglets before slaughter
Summary
The rearing of heavy pigs in Italy is an important part of the production of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) hams [1], such as the “Prosciutto di San Daniele” and the “Prosciutto di Parma”(EU Council Regulation no. 510/2006). In order to maintain the appropriate qualitative characteristics of the PDO hams, some constraints are provided, i.e., the pigs must be at least 9 months old and have a live weight of 160 kg at slaughter. These apply to both barrows and gilts. Allostatic load and resilience can be evaluated through biological markers, such as cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) [5,6,7], dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) [8], and their ratios [9,10] Sex hormones such as progesterone (P4), 17β-estradiol (E2), and testosterone are involved in the stress response. Mammals normally attempt to respond to environmental, physical, and psychosocial challenges through a continuous evaluation of needs and the adaptation of physiologic set points [14]
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