Abstract
Boar taint is mainly caused by two components; skatole (3-methylindole) and androstenone. By castrating the male pigs, boar taint will be avoided. In Norway, castration of pigs will no longer be permitted after 2009. This represents a substantial cost for the Norwegian swine production. Other Norwegian studies have shown that a large proportion of pigs are above the consumer detection limits for these two chemical components. The obvious question for the geneticist arises: Is it possible to select against skatole and androstenone in a breeding programme? Skatole is produced in the gut by bacteria. It is then absorbed in the blood stream. Skatole is either metabolised in the liver or transported and stored in fatty tissue. Androstenone is produced in the testis, and its biochemical pathway is related to the pathway of testosterone. In this study, fatty tissue was collected from the carcasses of Norwegian Landrace and Duroc boars, and analysed for androstenone and skatole. The length of glandula bulbourethralis was measured on the same animals, as this is regarded as a good indicator of sexual maturation. Heritabilities of androstenone and skatole were substantial. The two components were genetically correlated. Sexual maturation was also highly heritable. However, correlations to both androstenone and skatole were significantly unfavourable.
Highlights
In order to avoid boar taint from pork products, castration of male piglets has been common practice in most countries
Boar taint is mainly caused by two components; androstenone and skatole
The boars are collected from nucleus farms at 25 kg live weight and grouped 12 pigs per pen where they stay until they reach 100 kg live weight
Summary
In order to avoid boar taint from pork products, castration of male piglets has been common practice in most countries. In recent years focus has grown on animal welfare issues related to castration in several countries. In 2003 the Norwegian parliament voted for a new law regarding castration. After august 2003 anaesthetics have to be used and only veterinarians are allowed to castrate male piglets. From 2009 castration of male piglets will no longer be permitted. This law introduces a substantial cost for the Norwegian pig production
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