Castration Of Pigs Research Articles

DIFFERENCES IN CARCASS COMPOSITION OF MALE, CASTRATED, AND IMMUNOCASTRATED PIGS: A narrative literature review

The quality of pork is dependent on factors of retail and consumer interest, including appearance, shelf life, as well as tenderness and flavor. One of the factors determining the quality of the animal concerns its castration. Castration of pigs is a procedure carried out to control the odor of the meat and to guarantee the complete quality of the animal for consumption. Therefore, understanding its effects on pig production is essential to have a quality animal and increasingly higher production levels. In this sense, the general objective of this study is to carry out an analysis of the differences in the composition of the pig carcass: male, castrated and immunocastrated through a bibliographical review. The specific objectives were to elucidate the carcass characteristics of male, castrated and immunocastrated pigs and verify the impact of castration on the quality of the animal carcass. Through this study it was possible to conclude that immunocastrated pigs stand out in terms of carcass yield compared to surgically castrated males and intact males, due to the sexual odor, the quality of the meat, the thickness of the bacon and in its entirety.

Contraceptive effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine on captive male brown bears (Ursus arctos).

Fertility control has traditionally been applied in zoos to control captive populations, and reversible contraception is important. However, contraceptive methods for male bears have not been reported. We aimed to establish a reversible contraceptive for male brown bears by investigating the effects of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine (Improvac®) that was developed for the immune castration of pigs. We vaccinated six bears with two sequential doses of 400 (n = 2) or 600 μg Improvac® (n = 4) with a 1-month interval during the pre-breeding season (February to April). We compared the reproductive parameters (testosterone levels and semen parameters) of the six vaccinated and four non-vaccinated (control) bears once during the breeding season (May or June). To investigate whether the reproductive performance could be restored in the following year of contraception, we also compared the reproductive parameters once during the breeding season in two bears between the year with GnRH vaccination and the following year without vaccination. Vaccination treatments suppressed reproductive parameters in 5 bears, although vaccination with 400 μg of Improvac® was not effective in one bear. Testosterone levels and the rate of progressive sperm motility were significantly lower, and total sperm count and testis size tended to be lower in vaccinated bears, compared with the controls. Blood biochemical findings and direct observations after Improvac® vaccination did not reveal side effects. Moreover, testosterone levels and spermatogenic scores of two bears were restored in the following year. We confirmed that the Improvac® vaccine elicited a reversible contraceptive effect in male brown bears.

Evaluation of anaesthetic and analgesic effects of ketamine-diazepam and ketamine-xylazine for chemical restraint in grower pigs undergoing surgical castration.

Pain response during pig handling is aggravated due to difficulty in restraining them for surgical procedure and thus gives rise to more welfare concerns. This study evaluated the comparative advantage of either combination of ketamine/xylazine (KX) or Ketamine/diazepam (KD) for surgical castration in pigs. Ten client-owned grower pigs, scheduled for orchidectomy were randomly assigned to two treatment groups containing five pigs were used for the study. Group 1 were anaesthetized with simultaneous intramuscular injection of 0.3 mg/kg diazepam and 10 mg/kg ketamine while group 2 were simultaneously injected with 2mg/kg Xylazine and 10 mg/kg ketamine, intramuscularly. Orchidectomy was thereafter performed on each pig using standard procedures. Cardiopulmonary parameters and anaesthetic indices were measured before and after anaesthetic induction. Castration was successfully done in all the grower pigs and the recovery from anaesthesia was uneventful. There was no significant change in all the cardiopulmonary parameters measured throughout the procedure. Also there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in respiratory rate, heart rate and body temperature between the two groups. There was faster but insignificant(p=0.15) loss of righting reflex in pigs in group KX compared to KD group. Also, the induction time, time of standing and duration of surgery was faster in KX group than KD group although not statistically significant. Following skin incision, all the pigs in the KD and non in KX group were found to require subcutaneous lidocaine inflitration. Ketamine-Xylazine combination provided better anaesthesia and analgesia sufficient for a 30 minutes surgical procedure like castration in grower pigs.

Literature Study Of Overview Of Castration Implementation In Pig

Castration or orchiectomy is a surgical procedure performed on the testes, in the form of taking or cutting the testicles from the body. The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum age, castration technique and the advantages and disadvantages of castration in pigs. This literature study was obtained from searching and collecting various sources from Google Scholar by using the Mendeley application. Based on the results of the study, castration in pigs is more effective in cattle aged between 3-6 weeks of age because it affects growth, food conversion coefficient and carcass quality, and also metabolic and growth rate. The purpose of carrying out castration on pigs is to prevent unpleasant odors and tastes, support efforts to fatten male animals, produce high quality meat and reduce aggressive levels in male pigs. Castration techniques that can be used in pigs are open castration and immunocastration. The most common castration technique for pigs is the open castration technique or surgical castration technique. There is a new castration technique called immunocastration, which is a castration technique that involves injecting protein chemical compounds to induce the production of antibodies to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). However, in this technique none of the chemical products used are licensed in the European Union and the consequences (consumer safety and animal welfare) have not been fully evaluated.

Comparison of cardiorespiratory and anesthetic effects of ketamine-midazolam-xylazine-sufentanil and tiletamine-zolazepam-xylazine in miniature pigs.

Effective and adequate anesthesia is conducive to better restrain for pigs during surgical or diagnostic procedures This study aimed to evaluate cardiorespiratory and anesthetic effects of ketamine-midazolam-xylazine-sufentanil or tiletamine-zolazepam-xylazine as general anesthetics in miniature pigs. In phase 1, one of the combinations was administered intramuscularly to miniature pigs. The KMXS protocol combined 10 mg kg-1 ketamine, 0.5 mg kg-1 midazolam, and 2 mg kg-1 xylazine with 2 μg kg-1 sufentanil. The TZX protocol combined 2.2 mg kg-1 tiletamine, 2.2 mg kg-1 zolazepam, and 1.4 mg kg-1 xylazine. After treatment, the mean arterial pressure, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation, rectal temperature, and anesthesia quality were recorded. In phase 2, the feasibility of KMXS and TZX as general anesthetics were evaluated for pig castration. In phase 1, both drug combinations provided smooth induction with similar anesthetic effects. The KMXS protocol provided moderate anesthesia for 60–70 minutes in pigs, while the TZX protocol provided 30–45 minutes. In phase 2, castration was completed smoothly in all pigs with little fluctuation in physiological variables. The KMXS protocol is better for medium-term anesthesia, while the TZX protocol is preferable for short-term anesthesia in pigs.

A proteomic approach for in-depth characterization and understanding the impact of immunocastration on dry-cured ham of male and female pigs

Dry-cured ham is a high-quality product elaborated through a long and complex process. To ensure the success of the process, it is necessary to select the most suitable pork leg and one of the major factors is pig castration. Due to animal welfare, pig castration is becoming a paramount issue in recent years. The proteomic differences of dry-cured ham from immunecastrated pigs against entire females, as well as, between immunecastrated pigs and surgically castrated males were analysed.The identification and quantification of proteins were carried out by sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS). A total of 249 proteins were identified across the samples of dry-cured ham, resulting in 17 and 37 differentially abundant proteins in the case of males and females, respectively. In the case of males, a high abundance of structural proteins in dry-cured ham from surgically castrated animals as well as a high abundance of trypsinogen and proteosome subunit C9-like protein with protease activity in samples from immunocastrated males suggests that immunocastration impact on myofibrils of dry-cured ham. Regarding females, the immunocastration provoked an increase of abundance in several structural proteins of the myosin heavy chain (MYH7, MYH7B and MYH4) and a decrease in others (ACTN2, TNNT3, MYL3 and TCAP) concerning entire. Overall, MYH4 and ACT were found to a greater degree in immunocastrated males and females indicating a potential for biomarkers.

Castration and alternatives in pig: advantages and disadvantages

Castration and alternatives in pig: advantages and disadvantages

ВІДГОДІВЕЛЬНІ ЯКОСТІ ІМУНОКАСТРОВАНИХ ТА НЕКАСТРОВАНИХ СВИНОК

У статті представлено результати досліджень відгодівельних якостей імунокастрованих та некастрованих свинок отриманих від помісних свиноматок ірландського ландраса та ірландського йоркшира і кнурів синтетичної лінії Maxgro, в умовах ТОВ «НВП «Глобинський свинокомплекс» цеху відгодівлі №3. Для виконання дослідження було сформовано дві групи свинок, середня жива маса яких знаходилась в межах 25,68 – 25,82 кг, з похибкою 0,30-0,26 кг. Встановлено, що імунокастровані свинки на відмінну від некастрованих свинок в період відгодівлі мали більшу середню живу масу при знятті з відгодівлі на 4,96%. Характеризувалися вищими на 6,65% та 6,64% показниками абсолютного та середньодобового приросту. Відносний приріст був вищим у імунокастрованих свинок на 4,20% (р < 0,001). Імунокастровані свинки щодоби на 3,54% споживали більше корму, що спричинило досягнення їх живої маси 120 кг на 3,89 % швидше, в той час як оплата корму приростами була кращою на 2,39% в порівнянні з некастрованими свинками. Індекс комплексної оцінки відгодівельних якостей імунокастрованих тварин був вищим на 4,4 бали або на 11,8% порівняно з з їх некастрованими аналогами. За допомогою однофакторного дисперсійного аналізу було встановлено силу впливу типу кастрації свинок на їх відгодівельні показники. Визначено значний вірогідний вплив типу кастрації свинок на такі відгодівельні показники як середня жива маса при зняті з відгодівлі на рівні 7,53%, абсолютний приріст на 10,92% середньодобовий приріст на 10,91% та вік досягнення живої маси 120 кг на рівні 7,09%. Сила впливу типу кастрації свинок на відносний приріст склала всього 2,71%. Результати досліджень засвідчили, що використання імунної кастрації свинок має значний вплив та підвищує їх відгодівельні показники.

Welfare Aspects of Raising Entire Male Pigs and Immunocastrates.

Simple SummarySurgical castration of male piglets without pain treatment and anaesthesia is not only a welfare problem but also violates the integrity of the animals. The favoured alternatives of raising entire male pigs (EM) with or without immunocastration (vaccination against boar taint) may, however, impose additional welfare problems under the current housing and management conditions. This focused review is intended to summarise the current state of scientific knowledge and practical reports on critical welfare issues and risk factors. Raising EM with or without subsequent immunocastration could be a welfare conform, future-oriented alternative to conventional surgical castration of pigs, provided that they are kept in a healthy and socially stable environment with sufficient physical resources, as safeguarded by measures of enhanced animal care and management control.For a long time, scientists assumed that newborns have a severely limited sense of pain (if any). However, this assumption is wrong and led to a “start of the exit” from piglet surgical castration. Some of the currently discussed or already implemented alternatives such as general or local anaesthesia during surgical castration raise additional welfare concerns as well as legal problems and/or are hardly applicable. The favoured long-term, welfare-friendly “gold standard” is to raise entire male pigs (EM). However, this may also impose certain welfare problems under the current conventional housing and management conditions. The specific types of behaviour displayed by EM such as mounting and aggressive behaviours but also increased exploration, which are partially linked to sexual maturation, increase the risk for injuries. The current status of knowledge (scientific literature and farmer experiences) on housing of EM suggests that environmental enrichment, space, group-stability, social constellation, feeding (diet and feeder space), health and climate control are critical factors to be considered for future housing systems. From an animal welfare point of view, an intermediate variant to be favoured to reduce problematic behaviour could be to slaughter EM before reaching puberty or to immunize boars early on to suppress testicular function. Immunization against endogenous GnRH can reduce EM-specific problems after the 2nd vaccination.

The Use of Pork from Entire Male and Immunocastrated Pigs for Meat Products-An Overview with Recommendations.

Simple SummaryIntroducing alternatives to surgical castration of pigs bring welfare and economical benefits, but also reveal several quality-related issues. Most important is the presence of boar taint, but also includes low quantity and quality of fat, meat texture and color deviations in addition to inferior water binding properties, most of them negatively influencing meat product characteristics. The present paper highlights the important differences between the conventionally used surgical castrates and the most likely introduced alternatives: entire males and immunocastrates. Based on the review of the available research, the possible reasons for quality alterations are elaborated according to the type of meat product and recommendations for improving product quality or preventing boar taint perception are given.Due to the strong public initiative in Europe and increased regulator focus to mitigate pain, surgical castration of pigs is being gradually abandoned, while the importance of other sex categories like entire males (EM) and immunocastrates (IC) increases. Although beneficial for animal welfare and economics, their use also brings forward several quality problems. Besides the occurrence of boar taint in EM, these include excessive carcass leanness, softer fat, meat color and pH deviations, inferior water holding capacity and increased meat toughness. In this paper, the raw material differences between the male sex categories and their influence on product quality are reviewed, and possible solutions are presented. Using EM for dried or thermally processed products may result in lower processing yields and inferior sensory quality, which may partially be prevented by applying specific processing adaptations. Immunocastration is a viable solution, especially when prolonging the vaccination to slaughter interval. Low to medium levels of boar taint can be effectively managed in most of the meat products, applying procedures like cooking, microbial inoculation or masking (by spices and especially smoking), while highly tainted material can be valorized only by combining various methods and/or with dilution of the tainted meat.

Is gene editing an acceptable alternative to castration in pigs?

Male piglets are commonly castrated to eliminate the risk of boar taint. Surgical castration is the commonly used procedure and is known to induce pain. Gene modification targeted at eliminating boar taint in male pigs has been proposed as a possible alternative to surgical castration. The aims of this study were to explore public acceptability of this biotechnology using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data to assess acceptability of 570 participants from southern Brazil were analysed with multinomial logistic regression models and Spearman correlations; qualitative responses of the reasons provided in support of their position were coded into themes. Just over half of the participants (56%) considered gene modification of male pigs acceptable. Acceptability was lower among participants who grew up in an agricultural environment (ρ = 0.02), but was not influenced by sex, age, religion, urban or rural living, or level of education. Acceptability of gene modification of male pigs as an alternative to surgical castration was positively related to the perception of benefits (r = -0.56, ρ<0.0001) and negatively related to the participant’s perception of risks (r = -0.35, ρ<0.0001). Acceptability was not related to knowledge of basic concepts of genetic biotechnologies (r = 0.06, ρ<0.14), or to awareness of issues related to pig castration or boar taint (r = 0.03, ρ<0.44), both of which were low among participants. Participants that considered gene modification of pigs acceptable justified their position using arguments that it improved animal welfare. In contrast, those that were not in favour were generally opposed to genetic modification. Unforeseen downstream consequences of using genetic modification in this manner was a major concern raised by over 80% of participants. Our findings suggest that perceived animal welfare may encourage public support of gene editing of food animals. However, potential risks of the technology need to be addressed and conveyed to the public, as many participants requested clarification of such risks as a condition for support.

Towards the Abandonment of Surgical Castration in Pigs: How is Immunocastration Perceived by Italian Consumers?

Simple SummaryThe European Declaration on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs was aimed at abandoning surgical castration and switching to alternative techniques. Immunocastration (a vaccination against Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone) can be a viable alternative method. This technique offers some advantages in terms of animal welfare compared to surgical castration. Nevertheless, the main obstacle to the diffusion of immunocastration seems to be related to consumers’ acceptance, since the use of new technologies in the food chain often generates mistrust. The objective of this research was to assess how immunocastration is perceived by Italian consumers, and how complex and complete information (on advantages and disadvantages of the technique) can influence their perception. The results show that immunocastration is perceived in a predominantly positive manner (54.5%), with a relatively low level of risk perception (34.2%) and a good willingness to pay more for meat from immunocastrated pigs (+18.7%). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the control group (receiving only a neutral technical information) and groups to which complete and complex information was provided. Immunocastration of pigs represents an alternative method to surgical castration, being more respectful of animal welfare. However, this new technology may not be accepted by consumers due to their perception of possible risks tied to the use of the product, thus representing a concern for the production sector. The study aimed at verifying the attitude of Italian consumers towards immunocastration and to assess whether their perception can be affected by science-based information on advantages and disadvantages of immunocastration. A total of 969 consumers (divided in three groups representative of the Italian population) were contacted and asked to complete an online questionnaire. Only technical (neutral) information on immunocastration was provided to the first group; the second and the third group received information on the advantages (+) and disadvantages (-) of the technique, shown in reverse order (+/- and -/+, respectively). The level of information did not affect consumers’ perception of immunocastration. Overall, immunocastration is perceived in a predominantly positive manner (54.5%), with a relatively low level of risk perception (34.2%), and a good willingness to pay more for meat deriving from immunocastrated pigs (+18.7%).

Adaptación de la inmunocastración a la montanera del macho de cerdo Ibérico: efectos en órganos reproductivos y características de canal.

Voluntary end of male pig castration is expected in the EU in the near future, but standard immunocastration (IC) protocols need to be adapted for Iberian (IB) pig males due to their long life cycle. Our team developed 3-dose protocol that needs further adjustment to suit montanera (MT; free-range acorn feeding) chronology. Our hypothesis is that improving homogeneity of body condition at the start of MT will enhance and homogenize testicular atrophy. Pure IB males (n=35) reared in extensive system were feed-restricted during the growth phase (pre-montanera) as usual. Of these animals, Control pigs (C; n=18) were immunized against GnRH at 10.5, 12 and 13.5 months (m)of age. Treated pigs (T; n=17) were immunized at 10.5, 11.5 and 13 m, with 15-day ad libitum (AL) feeding period starting at the 3rd dose. Both groups started the MT period at 13.5 m, coinciding with the 3rd dose of C and the end of the AL period of T, and both were slaughtered at 16 m. To further validate the effect of nutritional level, an additional group was fed ad libitum during growth and finishing phases with commercial feedstuff in regular outdoor rearing system (Adlib; n=15 IB x Duroc males), with the vaccinations taking place at 8, 9 and 11 m and slaughter at 13 m (earlier, due to genotype and unrestricted feeding). Testes and epidydimides were significantly smaller in Adlib and T than C pigs. Similarly, bulbourethral glands were significantly smaller in T than C pigs. Testes parenchyme color a (green to red) was highly correlated (r=0.87) with testes weight. Backfat androstenone and skatole were below detection limits for all the animals. Foreleg, loin and prime-cut yields were significantly greater for Adlib than for C and T pigs. In conclusion, nutritional level can be used to improve the efficacy of male IC, and testes colorimetry can be used to monitor this efficacy.

Rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry for high-throughput screening in food analysis: The case of boar taint

Boar taint is a contemporary off-odor present in meat of uncastrated male pigs. As European Member States intend to abandon surgical castration of pigs by 2018, this off-odor has gained a lot of research interest. In this study, rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) was explored for the rapid detection of boar taint in neck fat. Untargeted screening of samples (n=150) enabled discrimination between sow, tainted and untainted boars. The obtained OPLS-DA models showed excellent classification accuracy, i.e. 99% and 100% for sow and boar samples or solely boar samples, respectively. Furthermore, the obtained models demonstrated excellent validation characteristics (R2(Y)=0.872–0.969; Q2(Y)=0.756–0.917), which were confirmed by CV-ANOVA (p<0.001) and permutation testing. In conclusion, in this work for the first time highly accurate and high-throughput (<10s) classification of tainted and untainted boar samples was achieved, rendering REIMS a promising technique for predictive modelling in food safety and quality applications.

Ractopamine hydrochloride and immunological castration in pigs. Part 1: fresh belly characteristics for bacon processing and quality

Abstract The effects of ractopamine and immunological castration on belly characteristics, processing yield, physicochemical and sensory quality of bacon were investigated from two crossbred pigs under different conditions of animal production, diet, management and slaughter arranged in factorial design using 2 ractopamine levels (0 and 7.5 ppm) and 3 genders (barrows, immunocastrated and gilts). Before processing, belly firmness, weight, length, width and thickness were measured, and then, bacon processing yield evaluated. After processing, bacon slices were digitally imaged and analyzed for lean meat and fat areas, pH, instrumental color of meat and fat, cooking loss and sensory quality. The ractopamine did not alter belly characteristics, but significantly increased the process yield and decreased cooking loss. Barrows and immunocastrated pigs showed firmer bellies, which could be advantageous for bacon processing and slicing. Barrows presented the highest total area of bacon slices. The results of this study indicate that both techniques ractopamine in the finishing diets and immunocastration of pigs can be combined with no further consequences for belly processing and to bacon quality and with some advantages.

Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride and immunological castration in pigs. Part 2: belly quality characteristics and fatty acid composition

The effects of immunocastration and ractopamine in the diet on the belly quality were investigated from two crossbred pigs under different conditions of production, diet, management, and slaughter arranged in factorial design using two levels of addition of ractopamine in the diet, 0 and 7.5 ppm, and three genders (gilts, immunocastrated and barrows). The quality of bellies were analyzed for chemical composition, pH, meat and fat color, backfat thickness and fatty acid profile of the fat. The addition of ractopamine showed no significant influence on pH, color and chemical composition in two crossbred pigs. The immunocastrated had thicker belly backfat compared to the bellies of the gilts. The contents of fatty acids polyunsaturated, linoleic, linoleic, arachidonic, total omega 3 and omega 6 were higher for immunocastrated pigs, as well as presenting values greater than 0.4 for the PUFA:SFA ratio, thus, providing bellies with better nutritional quality. The bellies of the gilts and immunocastrated pigs had higher concentrations of iodine value, indicative of higher unsaturated fat content. The results indicated that the addition of ractopamine and immunocastration had little influence on the quality of bellies as well as in their fatty acid profiles, suggesting the continuity of implementation of these techniques.

Pig castration: will the EU manage to ban pig castration by 2018?

BackgroundIn 2010, the ‘European Declaration on alternatives to surgical castration of pigs’ was agreed. The Declaration stipulates that from January 1, 2012, surgical castration of pigs shall only be performed with prolonged analgesia and/or anaesthesia and from 2018 surgical castration of pigs should be phased out altogether.The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe together with the European Commission carried out an online survey via SurveyMonkey© to investigate the progress made in different European countries. This study provides descriptive information on the practice of piglet castration across 24 European countries. It gives also an overview on published literature regarding the practicability and effectiveness of the alternatives to surgical castration without anaesthesia/analgesia.ResultsForty usable survey responses from 24 countries were received. Besides Ireland, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom, who have of history in producing entire males, 18 countries surgically castrate 80% or more of their male pig population. Overall, in 5% of the male pigs surgically castrated across the 24 European countries surveyed, castration is performed with anaesthesia and analgesia and 41% with analgesia (alone). Meloxicam, ketoprofen and flunixin were the most frequently used drugs for analgesia. Procaine was the most frequent local anaesthetic. The sedative azaperone was frequently mentioned even though it does not have analgesic properties. Half of the countries surveyed believed that the method of anaesthesia/analgesia applied is not practicable and effective. However, countries that have experience in using both anaesthesia and post-operative analgesics, such as Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands, found this method practical and effective. The estimated average percentage of immunocastrated pigs in the countries surveyed was 2.7% (median = 0.2%), where Belgium presented the highest estimated percentage of immunocastrated pigs (18%).ConclusionThe deadlines of January 1, 2012, and of 2018 are far from being met. The opinions on the animal-welfare-conformity and the practicability of the alternatives to surgical castration without analgesia/anaesthesia and the alternatives to surgical castration are widely dispersed. Although countries using analgesia/anaesthesia routinely found this method practical and effective, only few countries seem to aim at meeting the deadline to phase out surgical castration completely.

Comparison of Intramuscular or Subcutaneous Injections vs. Castration in Pigs-Impacts on Behavior and Welfare.

Simple SummaryPhysical castration (PC) of piglets is a painful and stressful procedure and alternatives are being sought to improve animal well-being, such as immunological castration (IC). However, IC requires injections which may also cause pain and stress during handling. In this study, piglets and finishing pigs were placed in the following treatment groups: no handling or treatment (NO), sham-handling (SHAM), intramuscular injection (IM), subcutaneous injection (SQ), or PC on piglets only. Behavior was monitored for 1 h prior and 1 h post treatment in each age group. Social behavior and feeding behavior, and signs of pain were recorded. Physical castration caused measurable pain-like behaviors and general behavioral dysregulation at a much higher level than changes associated with handling associated with IM or SQ injections. Overall, injections did not cause a change in weaning pig behaviors. Finishing pigs given SQ injections showed a lower number of feeding behaviors post treatment but other changes were not observed in the other treatment groups.Physical castration (PC) is painful and stressful for nursing piglets. One alternative to PC is immunological castration (IC), but the pain and stress of handling associated with injections have not been assessed. The objectives of this study were to measure the pain and distress of subcutaneous (SQ) and intramuscular (IM) injections compared to PC in piglets, and to compare SQ or IM injections in finishing pigs. After farrowing, 3 to 5 d old male piglets were randomly assigned to (control) no handling treatment (NO), sham-handling (SHAM), IM, SQ, or PC. Finishing pigs were assigned to NO, SHAM, IM, or SQ. Behavior was monitored for 1 h prior and 1 h post treatment in each age group. Social, feeding behaviors, and signs of pain were recorded. Finishing pigs treated with SQ injections had higher feeding behaviors pre-treatment than they did post-treatment. Overall, physical castrations caused measurable pain-like behaviors and general behavioral dysregulation at a much higher level than the other treatment groups. SQ and IM injections did not cause either significant behavioral or physiological alterations in piglets. SQ injections caused a decrease in finishing pig feed behaviors post treatment (p = 0.02) and SHAM treated finishing pigs spent significantly more time lying than the other treatment groups. In general IM and SQ injections did not cause any other significant changes in behavior or physiology.

The effect of sensory experience on expected preferences toward a masking strategy for boar-tainted frankfurter sausages

The potential banning of surgical pig castration in the EU is to be announced by 1 January 2018, which may change stakeholder and consumer preferences. This study analysed consumers’ expected preferences regarding smoking and applying a mixture of spices to high-level boar-taint frankfurter sausages. Consumers’ acceptance through a hedonic evaluation of the masking strategy and its impact on expected preferences were analysed. We carried out two non-hypothetical discrete choice experiments by creating a real shopping scenario before and after a sensory experience test for a sample of 150 consumers from the metropolitan area of Madrid, Spain. The data used in this analysis were obtained from self-completed structured questionnaires following a quota sampling approach. The recently developed generalized multinomial logit model (GMNL) was used for analysis. The results showed the appropriateness of the proposed masking strategy of boar meat for the processed meat industry in Spain. Consumers stated their willingness to pay a premium for this flavour. The sensory experience had an impact on the mean preference and the scale heterogeneity. The degree of randomness and consumer uncertainty decreased significantly after the eating experience of the product.

Towards entire male pigs in Europe: A perspective from the Spanish supply chain

In pig production, surgical castration is primarily performed to avoid boar taint and for management purposes. The European Commission plans to end surgical piglet castration voluntarily by 2018. The aim of this study was to assess the opinions and attitudes of Spanish stakeholders from the entire pork chain regarding this plan. Two methodologies were used: focus groups with 26 participants (qualitative method) were conducted with representatives of farmers, the meat industry, government institutions, retailers (including butchers), HORECA and consumers, and 127 face-to-face surveys at butchers (quantitative method) were carried out. These include an analytical hierarchical process to assess the determining factors when purchasing fresh pig meat. The results showed that a potential end of pig castration in Europe is not anticipated to affect conventional pig production in Spain. However, butchers are worried of negative effects on high quality meat and meat products, where surgical castration of pigs plays an important role.