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Wang C, Yang C, Zeng Y, Zhang M. GnRH-immunocastration: an alternative method for male animal surgical castration. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1248879. [PMID: 38026623 PMCID: PMC10644813 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1248879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Castration of male animals is intended to produce high-enhance quality of animal meat, prevent unpleasant taste, reduce aggressive behavior, and manage overbreeding. Over the years, Tranditional methods of mechanical and surgical castration have been employed over the years, but they fall short of meeting animal welfare requirements due to the associated risk of infection, pain, and stress. Immunocastration, specifically Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-immunocastration, targeting the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis, has emerged as an animal-friendly alternative to surgical castration, effectively addressing these issues. This review seeks to systematically summarize the principles, development, current applications and challenges of GnRH-immunocastration, offering insights into its role in promoting animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cuiting Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yutian Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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Sensory Profiling and Liking of Salami and Pancetta from Immunocastrated, Surgically Castrated and Entire Male Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102786. [PMID: 34679806 PMCID: PMC8532724 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Alternatives to surgical castration are an important issue in pig production due to societal concerns regarding animal welfare. Castration of piglets is a common practice to avoid boar taint, an unpleasant taste (urine/fecal like) of meat from uncastrated male pigs. In view of abandoning surgical castration and introduction of new alternatives, such as raising entire male pigs and applying immunocastration, several new issues are emerging. These include boar taint occurrence in case of entire male pigs and a deteriorated raw material (meat, fat) quality, which can affect consumer perception. Therefore, more information is needed about the consumer acceptance of products from the different alternatives. In the present study, two types of dry-cured meat products were assessed to give some insights into the sensory characteristic and consumers’ liking of the products coming from immunocastrated, entire male and surgically castrated animals. Abstract Consumer studies on acceptability of pork from immunocastrates (IC) and entire males (EM) are of primary importance, if these alternatives are to replace surgical castration (SC) of piglets. Data on the sensory traits and consumers acceptance of IC and EM meat products are still limited. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to (1) describe the sensory profile by quantitative descriptive analysis and (2) test the perception and consumer liking of salami (dry-fermented sausage) and pancetta (dry-cured belly) from EM, IC and SC animals. The consumer tests included the scaling method and check-all-that-apply. Profiling showed that EM products were scored lower in the overall sensory quality compared to IC or SC. EM products differed mainly from IC and SC in the intensity of the manure, sweat odor and flavor, persistent impression and texture (hardness, gumminess and easy to fragment). Salami samples did not differ in liking. In pancetta, the differences were significant for odor liking and visual quality (expected liking). Consumers did not perceive EM products as inferior in terms of liking, while sensory profiling indicated differences for boar taint presence and texture. Using meat originating from IC did not result in any differences in consumers acceptance as compared to products from SC.
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Kowalski E, Vossen E, Millet S, Ampe B, De Smet S, Aluwé M. Effect of terminal sire line and timing second vaccination on effectiveness of immunocastration, performance, and carcass and meat quality. Meat Sci 2021; 175:108451. [PMID: 33556676 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Performance (from 10 weeks until slaughter), carcass and meat quality, and effectiveness of immunocastration was compared in crossbred offspring of stress positive (BP+) and negative (BP-) Belgian Piétrain and Canadian Duroc (CD) given the second vaccination of Improvac® at different times (4, 6, 8 weeks before slaughter). CD offspring had a significantly higher daily gain (DG) and feed intake (DFI), and lower predicted lean meat percentage (LMP) and dressing yield compared to BP+ and BP-, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not differ. CD offspring had significantly lower drip loss and higher pHi, intramuscular fat content than BP+ and BP- (except for pHi). No significant effect of vaccination time on DG nor FCR was observed. Predicted LMP tended to increase as time-post injection decreased, while meat quality was minor affected. Earlier vaccination had no effect on the effectiveness of immunocastration based on testosterone and GnRH-binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kowalski
- Flander Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Melle, Belgium; Ghent University, Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - E Vossen
- Ghent University, Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - S Millet
- Flander Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Melle, Belgium
| | - B Ampe
- Flander Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Melle, Belgium
| | - S De Smet
- Ghent University, Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Aluwé
- Flander Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Melle, Belgium.
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Djurkin Kušec I, Cimerman E, Škrlep M, Karolyi D, Gvozdanović K, Komlenić M, Radišić Ž, Kušec G. Influence of Immunocastration on Slaughter Traits and Boar Taint Compounds in Pigs Originating from Three Different Terminal Sire Lines. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010228. [PMID: 33477673 PMCID: PMC7831900 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Due to the negative public opinion and welfare issues related to surgical castration, gradual introduction of alternatives like entire males and immunocastrates is taking place. Despite several economical and welfare advantages that the alternatives offer, numerous issues (i.e., boar taint, meat quality alterations), as well as their interactions with rearing and breeding (genetic) factors remain unanswered. Therefore, the focus of this study was to investigate the possibility of using different commercial sire lines in three male sex categories (entire males, immunocastrates, surgical castrates) and to compare their carcass traits, meat quality and boar taint compounds. A significant effect of terminal sire line and/or male category together with their interaction was observed for most of the investigated carcass and meat quality traits. The observed interaction should be taken into consideration when deciding on the production of a specific male category. Abstract The aim of the research was to investigate the influence of terminal sire line (TSL) and male category (MC) on carcass and meat quality of commercial fatteners. The study was performed on 180 pigs originating from three terminal sire lines: A (Pietrain × Large White), B (pure Pietrain), and C (Pietrain × Duroc × Large White), being assigned to three groups according to MC: immunocastrates (IC, n = 60), surgical castrates (SC, n = 60) and entire males (EM, n = 60). TSL affected most of the carcass and meat quality traits, together with the androstenone concentration. At the same time, MC had a significant effect on fat thickness, ham circumference, drip loss, cooking loss and androstenone and skatole concentrations. A significant interaction effect was observed for carcass length and ham circumference, as well as for most of the measured meat quality traits (except cooking loss, CIE L*, CIE b*, and Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF)). Among the three investigated sire lines, immunocastration was shown to be most beneficial for fatteners sired by the TSL C. However, if deciding to raise EM, fatteners from the TSL B are recommended in terms of carcass and meat quality, although strategies for avoiding boar taint in their carcasses must be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivona Djurkin Kušec
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.D.K.); (K.G.); (Ž.R.)
| | - Emilija Cimerman
- Directorate for Professional Support to the Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Croatia, Bani 110, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Martin Škrlep
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova Ulica 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Danijel Karolyi
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Kristina Gvozdanović
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.D.K.); (K.G.); (Ž.R.)
| | - Miodrag Komlenić
- Belje Plus d.d., Svetog Ivana Krstitelja 1a, 31326 Darda, Croatia;
| | - Žarko Radišić
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.D.K.); (K.G.); (Ž.R.)
| | - Goran Kušec
- Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.D.K.); (K.G.); (Ž.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-31-554-866; Fax: +385-31-554-853
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Needham T, Gous RM, Lambrechts H, Pieterse E, Hoffman LC. Combined Effect of Dietary Protein, Ractopamine, and Immunocastration on Boar Taint Compounds, and Using Testicle Parameters as an Indicator of Success. Foods 2020; 9:foods9111665. [PMID: 33202637 PMCID: PMC7698110 DOI: 10.3390/foods9111665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the combined effect of immunocastration, dietary protein level (low, medium or high) and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation (0 or 10 mg/kg) on the adipose concentrations of androstenone, skatole and indole in pigs, and explores whether body mass, carcass fatness or testicular parameters may be indicators of boar taint in these carcasses. Immunocastration was successful in decreasing testicle functioning, and adipose androstenone and skatole concentrations, in all individuals. Immunocastration decreased testicle weight and length, seminiferous tubule circumference and epithelium thickness. Testicle tissue from immunocastrates was also paler, and less red in color, in comparison to non-castrated controls. Dietary protein level and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation had no influence on the adipose concentration of androstenone, skatole and indole. Testicle size and color were moderate to strong indicators of androstenone and skatole concentrations in the carcasses, and thus vaccination success. Immunocastration together with the adjustment of dietary protein and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation, is successful in preventing boar taint while maintaining growth performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tersia Needham
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; (H.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-224-382-343
| | - Rob M. Gous
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville 3209, South Africa;
| | - Helet Lambrechts
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; (H.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.H.)
| | - Elsje Pieterse
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; (H.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.H.)
| | - Louwrens C. Hoffman
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; (H.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.H.)
- Center for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, 39 Kessels Rd, Coopers Plains 4108, Australia
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Carcass Characteristics and Primal Pork Cuts of Gilts, Boars, Immunocastrates and Barrows Using AutoFOM III Data of a Commercial Abattoir. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101912. [PMID: 33086496 PMCID: PMC7603092 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Male piglets designated for pork production have been surgically castrated for centuries. The fattening of intact boars is more environmentally friendly due to anabolic effects, but entails a higher risk of aggressive and sexual behavior, and some boar carcasses may exhibit boar taint, which reduces pork quality. Immunocastration as a further alternative to surgical castration is considered as a reliable and animal welfare-friendly method, but currently still has a very small market share. A crucial factor for the period following surgical castration is that pork production, either with boars or immunocastrates, is competitive and produces valuable carcasses with regard to lean meat content and the respective amounts of primal pork cuts. In this study, we therefore evaluated AutoFOM III data from a commercial abattoir. The results show that carcasses from immunocastrates were of similar quality to those of barrows, with carcass characteristics that lay between the values of gilts and barrows. Boar carcasses are leaner in comparison to barrows, but produce the same amount of valuable pork per carcass. Boars and immunocastrates are therefore suitable for the processing industry and both techniques are able to compete with pork production with barrows in terms of carcass characteristics and primal pork cuts. Abstract The surgical castration of male piglets as a routine procedure in modern pig production is facing increasing societal criticism. Pork production with boars and immunocastrates are available alternatives, but both have low market shares as it is so far uncertain how the carcass characteristics and primal pork cuts of boars and immunocastrates will be estimated in comparison to barrows and gilts. This article therefore evaluates the impact of sex group (gilts, boars, immunocastrates and barrows) on carcass characteristics and primal pork cuts using AutoFOM III data from a commercial abattoir. In our study, weekly slaughter data from a total of n = 36,994 pigs between 2018 and 2019 were analyzed. The results show that gilts had the highest amount of pork per carcass of all sex groups, whereas non-significant differences between boars, immunocastrates and barrows could be observed. Boars had the highest lean meat content, followed by gilts, immunocastrates and finally barrows with the lowest lean meat content. These results suggest that both immunocastration and pork production with boars are sustainable techniques that can replace pork production with barrows without affecting carcass quality.
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Exploratory Survey on European Consumer and Stakeholder Attitudes towards Alternatives for Surgical Castration of Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101758. [PMID: 32998259 PMCID: PMC7600221 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgical castration of piglets without pain relief is still common practice in many countries. Possible alternatives for surgical castration are application of pain relief or anaesthesia or production of boars (entire males) and immunocastrates. Each of these alternatives faces advantages and disadvantages which may result in different citizen attitudes and consumers acceptability. Understanding which practice is acceptable to whom and why may further stimulate implementation. Consumer (n = 3251) and stakeholder (n = 1027) attitudes towards surgical castration without pain relief, surgical castration with anaesthesia, immunocastration, and production of boars were surveyed from April to June 2020 via an online questionnaire in 16 countries (>175 respondents per country). Surgical castration without pain relief was separated from each of the alternatives due to animal welfare and showed the lowest acceptability (32%). Within the alternatives, a further partitioning between the alternatives was based on perceived quality and food safety, with an acceptance of 85% for applying anaesthesia, 71% for immunocastration, and 49% for boar production. Differences depending on professional involvement and familiarity with agriculture could be observed, mainly for the acceptance of surgical castration without anaesthesia, immunocastration, and boars. Castration with anaesthesia was highly accepted by all types of respondents.
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Mitjana O, Bonastre C, Tejedor MT, Garza L, Latorre MÁ, Moreno B, Falceto MV. Immuno-castration of female and male pigs with anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine: Morphometric, histopathological and functional studies of the reproductive system. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 221:106599. [PMID: 32980649 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Immuno-castration is increasingly recommended in pigs due to welfare reasons; however, there are few studies in females compared to males. This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of immuno-castration in female and male pigs. The weight, the morphometric and microscopic characteristics of the reproductive organs, and the hormone concentrations were studied in 12 immunocastrated females (IF) and 12 immunocastrated males (IM) and compared with control animals (C). At slaughter, IF tended to have greater body weights than CF (P = 0.051), whereas in IM and CM pigs there were not body weight differences (P = 0.140). The weight of the reproductive tract and size of all individual organs were less in IF compared with CF. Results from histological assessments indicated IF had more atretic follicles and a thinner endometrial mucosa than control females. Hormone concentrations were not different between CF and IF (P > 0.050). As a result of immuno-castration, there was impaired spermatogenesis in most males. Results from microscopic evaluations indicated there was a marked decrease of spermatogonial cells and size of Leydig cells in the testicles. Accessory gland structures were affected in CM and IM with there being differences in gross and microscopic characteristics. Testosterone concentrations, unlike estradiol, were different in IM compared to CM (P < 0.001). These results provide evidence that immuno-castration with the anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine is effective in female and male pigs and induces morphological and endocrine changes incompatible with fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Mitjana
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Cristina Bonastre
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mª Teresa Tejedor
- Departamento de Anatomía, Embriología y Genética Animal, CIBERCV, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Garza
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mª Ángeles Latorre
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 - (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Bernardino Moreno
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 - (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Mª Victoria Falceto
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 - (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
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Sødring M, Nafstad O, Håseth TT. Change in Norwegian consumer attitudes towards piglet castration: increased emphasis on animal welfare. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:22. [PMID: 32456651 PMCID: PMC7249416 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00522-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Male piglets are surgically castrated at a young age primarily to prevent pork meat from being tainted with boar taint, an offensive taste and odor that can be present in uncastrated male pigs. The practice of surgical castration is considered to be both stressful and painful for the piglets, and is therefore under scrutiny due to animal welfare concerns. Rearing of intact males or vaccination against boar taint (immunocastration) are two potential alternatives to surgical castration, but in order to successfully implement either of these alternatives, consumer acceptance of the different methods must be taken into consideration as it will be central for future sales of pork products. A consumer survey mapping Norwegian consumers’ attitudes toward piglet castration was conducted to explore whether the consumers’ position regarding castration has changed since an almost identical study was completed in 2008. Results The internet-based survey found that Norwegian consumers are comfortable with the current practice of surgical castration with anesthesia, but also that they are open to the alternative method of vaccination against boar taint. When provided additional information stating that vaccination against boar taint may not be able to reduce boar taint to the levels that castration with anesthesia does, consumer skepticism towards vaccination increased. When evaluating castration methods, animal welfare was the most important influencing factor. Since the original survey from 2008, animal welfare was also the single factor that has increased the most among a set of assessment criteria when purchasing pork products. Conclusion Norwegian consumers regard animal welfare as an important factor both when purchasing pork products and when evaluating different methods of castration, and animal welfare as a factor has increased in importance since the initial survey in 2008. Although the current practice of castration using local anesthesia is still widely accepted among consumers, the acceptance of today’s method has declined since the original survey in 2008.
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Hartnett P, Boyle LA, O'Driscoll K. The effect of group composition and mineral supplementation during rearing on the behavior and welfare of replacement gilts. Transl Anim Sci 2020; 4:txaa002. [PMID: 32705005 PMCID: PMC7001109 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sow longevity supported by good health and reproductive performance is necessary to optimize sow lifetime performance. In some countries, replacement gilts are reared with finisher pigs destined for slaughter, so they are exposed to sexual and aggressive behaviors performed by males. This is associated with stress and injury. Moreover, diets formulated for finishers are not designed to meet the needs of replacement gilts and may not supply the necessary minerals to promote limb health, optimal reproduction, and, thus, sow longevity. In this 2 × 2 factorial design experiment with 384 animals (32 pens [12 animals per pen]), we investigated the effect of female-only (FEM) or mixed-sex (MIX) rearing, with (SUPP) or without (CON) supplementary minerals (copper, zinc, and manganese) on locomotion, salivary cortisol levels, behavior, body lesions (BL), and hoof health of gilts. The experimental period began at transfer to the finisher stage (day 81.3 ± 0.5 of age; day 0) until breeding age (day 196 ± 0.5 of age; day 115). Locomotion was scored (0-5) biweekly from day 0 until slaughter day 67 or breeding age day 115 for the remaining gilts. Saliva samples were taken monthly from four focal gilts per pen. All counts of aggressive, harmful, sexual, and play behavior were recorded by direct observation 1 d biweekly (5- × 5-min observations/pen/d). BL scores were recorded on focal pigs biweekly from day 1 until day 99 on the back, neck, shoulder, flank, and hind quarter on each side of the body. Hind hooves were scored for eight disorders (heel erosion [HE], heel sole separation [HSS], and white line separation [WLS], dew claw length and dew claw cracks, toe length and both vertical and horizontal toe cracks) by severity, and a total hoof lesion score was calculated by summing individual scores. General linear mixed models were used to analyze cortisol, behavior, BL, and total hoof scores. Generalized linear mixed models were used for locomotion, bursitis and individual hoof disorders. There was less aggression (P < 0.05) and sexual behavior in the FEM compared to the MIX groups with more play behavior in MIX compared to FEM groups (P < 0.01). Gilts in the MIX groups had higher BL scores than gilts in the FEM groups (P < 0.001). Total hoof scores were higher in MIX (8.01 ± 0.15) than FEM (7.70 ± 0.12; P < 0.02) gilts. CON diet gilts had higher HE scores than SUPP gilts (P < 0.05). HSS (P < 0.05) and WLS (P < 0.05) scores were higher in MIX than FEM gilts. Rearing gilts in FEM groups had benefits for hoof health likely mediated through lower levels of activity due to male absence, and minerals helped reduce HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Hartnett
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Laura A Boyle
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Keelin O'Driscoll
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
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