Early Immunocastration of Pigs: From Farming to Meat Quality.

Daniela Werner,Marco Ciulu,Lisa Baldinger,Johanna Mörlein,Friedrich Weißmann,Daniel Mörlein,Sinje Büttner,Ralf Bussemas

doi:10.3390/ani11020298

Daniela Werner, Marco Ciulu + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020298

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Abstract

Simple SummaryImmunocastration of boars to prevent boar taint in meat is usually performed during the fattening phase of pigs, which is sometimes impractical for pig fatteners. The aim of this study was to test the practicability of the immunization of suckling pigs against boar taint and to assess its influence on production performance and animal welfare in the fattening phase. The fattening and slaughtering performance as well as animal behavior and welfare did not differ between the standard and the earlier immunization. However, reliable avoidance of boar taint was not given for all animals when immunization was conducted very early at the piglet stage.The study aimed to test a very early immunization of pigs to prevent boar taint with regard to its practicability and influence on production performance, its reliability in ensuring good meat and fat quality, and animal welfare. Immunization was already conducted at piglet production stage and could be easily integrated into routine vaccination (week 3) and weaning practices (week 7). The fattening and slaughter performance of the animals was not affected by the immunization regime and was within the usual range. In addition, there were no abnormalities in animal behavior and the prevalence of injuries caused by aggressive interactions. All animals were classified as infertile on the basis of the histological examination of the testicles. However, the testosterone levels measured at slaughter were significantly higher in animals of the early immunization regime than in animals subjected to the standard immunization regime. Androstenone and skatole levels as the main components of boar taint were, on average, higher and varied to a greater extent in early immunized animals. Furthermore, the comparison of the immunization scheme did not result in significant differences for meat quality and for fatty acid composition.

Highlights

IntroductionConsumers increasingly criticize pork production systems in the context of animal welfare
Introduction published maps and institutional affilConsumers increasingly criticize pork production systems in the context of animal welfare
The daily weight gain of the early immunization scheme (EARLY) pigs in the pre-fatting phase was significantly higher by 41 g than that of the CONTROL pigs

Summary

Introduction

Consumers increasingly criticize pork production systems in the context of animal welfare. Surgical castration without anesthesia, allowed in Germany until the end of 2021, is the subject of ongoing public and academic discussions. Alternatives to the surgical castration of pigs are the fattening of boars and immunocastration. Immunocastration for the purpose of controlling boar taint provides several public as well as agribusiness advantages over physical castration. Immunocastration improves animal welfare since it does not involve painful procedures and reduces antagonistic, aggressive behavior by entire male pigs [1,2]. When comparing the productive performance of barrows to immunocastrated pigs, feed efficiency and lean carcass yield are higher in immunocastrated animals [3], which entails economic and environmental benefits through reduced feed expenditures and a reduction of nitrogen emissions [4]. The active ingredient of the immunocastration is a protein that delays the onset of puberty iations

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