Impact of tearing spermatic cords during castration in live and dead piglets and consequences on welfare

Simone M Schmid,Chiara I Genter,Céline Heinemann,Julia Steinhoff-Wagner

doi:10.1186/s40813-021-00200-7

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the tearing of tissues during castration is forbidden in the EU, it is still routinely applied in many countries. The goal of this study was to evaluate vocalizations and movements of male piglets undergoing castration by applying different techniques and pain treatments based on scores under practical conditions (Trial 1, n = 50) and to investigate anatomical features after castration of dead piglets with different techniques (Trial 2, n = 28).ResultsIn Trial 1, treatment groups did not significantly influence the duration of castration. Both the duration of vocalization and the scores for vocalizations and movements were lower in piglets castrated under general anesthesia (P < 0.05). Behavior scores in conscious piglets did not differ. The incision and extraction caused lower vocalizations and movements than the pulling and severing of spermatic cords (P < 0.01). Movements were more intense during tearing of the spermatic cords than during cutting at the first and second severing (P < 0.01). In both trials, the remains of spermatic cords protruded tendentially more often from castration wounds after severing by tearing (P < 0.09). In Trial 2, the minimum, mean and maximum lengths of the testicles and spermatic cords were extended when severing was realized by tearing (P < 0.01). The mean relative testicle weight of 1.05‰ in dead piglets castrated by tearing was larger than that in dead piglets castrated by cutting (0.91‰) (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe trials uncovered significant differences between behavior expressed by piglets castrated by tearing or cutting, indicating a higher pain level in the tearing group. It was found that the castration technique tearing increased the amount of removed tissues and might cause intraabdominal damage to the remaining tissues and vessels in a yet unknown dimension. These findings should be considered for implementation and stricter enforcement of the ban on tearing for castration.

Highlights

The tearing of tissues during castration is forbidden in the EU, it is still routinely applied in many countries
In pig production, castration is performed to avoid the agonistic behavior of boars and the development of boar taint, which leads to financial losses due to the meat’s inedibility
In the course of this experiment it was possible to detect differences in behavior expressed by anesthetized and non-anesthetized piglets, indicating that the applied general anesthesia was successful in mitigating pain perception

Summary

Introduction

The tearing of tissues during castration is forbidden in the EU, it is still routinely applied in many countries. The scrotum skin is usually incised with one horizontal or two vertical cuts with a scalpel [1, 2] before testes are extracted to some extent to be able to sever the spermatic cords with a scalpel or an emasculator. Another prominent way to sever the cords, is pulling on testes until the tissues tear off [1]. This fact raises the question of whether tearing the spermatic cords is somehow advantageous, justifying the use of this method, or whether it is used due to lack of proper knowledge

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