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Botelho-Fontela S, Paixão G, Pereira-Pinto R, Vaz-Velho M, Pires MDA, Payan-Carreira R, Patarata L, Lorenzo J, Silva A, Esteves A. Effect of Immunocastration on Culled Sows-A Preliminary Study on Reproductive Tract, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality. Vet Sci 2023; 10:600. [PMID: 37888552 PMCID: PMC10610668 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10100600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bísaro pig is a Portuguese autochthonous breed greatly appreciated for its meat quality and is mainly reared outdoors. Immunocastration could be a solution to avoid undesirable pregnancies and boar taint in cull sows. The present study tested three immunocastration protocols (with Improvac®) according to their reproductive cycle. The first inoculation was performed two weeks after farrowing (IM1, n = 5), at the beginning of estrus (IM2, n = 5), and one week after the end of estrus (IM3, n = 5), followed by a second administration four weeks apart. A control group (C, n = 5) was also included in the same housing conditions. The sample collection included the reproductive tract for morphometric evaluation, neck fat for the quantification of boar taint compounds, and a portion of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum for meat quality trait assessment. The reproductive tracts from intact sows (C) were significantly heavier compared to the immunocastrated groups (p < 0.05) (1.403 kg C to 0.508 kg IM1, 0.590 kg IM2, and 0.599 kg IM3), suggesting the regression of the reproductive tract to nonstimulated conditions due to immunization against GnRH. The IM1 group exhibited significantly smaller reproductive tract measurements compared to group C for most of the evaluated segments (p < 0.05). No marked differences were observed in the meat quality traits. Therefore, immunocastration can be used in culling sows to avoid ovarian activity, and it is not detrimental to pork quality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Botelho-Fontela
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal (L.P.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Gustavo Paixão
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal (L.P.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Ricardo Pereira-Pinto
- CISAS—Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (R.P.-P.); (M.V.-V.)
| | - Manuela Vaz-Velho
- CISAS—Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (R.P.-P.); (M.V.-V.)
| | - Maria dos Anjos Pires
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal (L.P.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Rita Payan-Carreira
- CHRC—Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Évora, Pole at Mitra, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal;
| | - Luís Patarata
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal (L.P.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - José Lorenzo
- Centro Tecnológico de la Carne de Galicia 4, 32900 San Cibrao das Viñas, Spain;
| | - António Silva
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal (L.P.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
| | - Alexandra Esteves
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal (L.P.); (A.S.); (A.E.)
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Vasquez-Hidalgo MA, Mellencamp MA, Amodie D, Galina Pantoja L, Vonnahme KA. The effect of timing of Improvest administration on growth performance and carcass characteristics in gilts. Transl Anim Sci 2023; 7:txad051. [PMID: 37786423 PMCID: PMC10541850 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Improvest (IMP; Zoetis Inc., Parsippany, NJ) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in gilts. Improvest is administered twice: the first dose should be administered no earlier than 9 wk of age and the second dose (D2) at least 4 wk after the first dose. The aim of this study was to determine how the timing of IMP before harvest affects growth performance and carcass characteristics in gilts. A total of 1,632 gilts were allocated to four groups (12 pens/treatment; 34 gilts/pen): 1) a control group did not receive IMP; 2) T-early gilts received IMP on day 7 (day 0 = 10 wk postweaning), and D2 on day 40 (i.e., 35 d prior to first removal for harvest); 3) T-medium gilts received IMP on day 21 and D2 on day 56 (i.e., 19 d prior to first removal for harvest); 4) T-late gilts received IMP on day 35 and D2 on day 70 (i.e., 5 d before first removal for harvest). Pigs were selected for harvest by visual observation on days 75, 89, 103, and 117: 1) the heaviest 7 gilts/pen for each treatment on day 75; 2) the heaviest 10 gilts/pen of each treatment at day 89; 3) the heaviest 10 gilts/pen of each treatment on day 103; and 4) the remaining 7 gilts/pen on day 117. Weights and feed disappearance were recorded every 2 wk and during harvest dates to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (Gain:Feed; G:F). Generalized linear mixed models of SAS were used to analyze all variables. The increase in ADFI over Control gilts was observed 15 d post D2 and continued through 77 d post D2, with advantages in ADG occurring between 15 and 35 d post D2. Control and IMP treated gilts had similar G:F 15 to 33 d post D2. The overall ADG and ADFI from day 0 to market, final live weights, and hot carcass weights were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) in IMP gilts compared to Control. When G:F based on live weight was averaged across all groups (i.e., from day 0 to market), T-early had the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) G:F compared to Control, T-medium, and T-late gilts, which did not differ. Carcasses from IMP gilts had increased (P < 0.01) backfat, but similar (P = 0.5) Longissimus muscle depth, compared to Control. Within a cohort of similar aged gilts finishing during the summer, this study indicates that the trajectory of growth is enhanced within a similar window post D2 of IMP. Gilts treated with IMP had heavier carcasses with increased backfat and similar Longissimus muscle depth.
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Pérez-Ciria L, Ripoll G, Sanz MÁ, Blanco M, Miana-Mena FJ, Latorre MA. Impact of gilt immunocastration on weight losses and instrumental and chemical characteristics of Teruel dry-cured ham. Meat Sci 2023; 199:109125. [PMID: 36706684 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109125] [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: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A total of 32 fresh hams intended for the Spanish Protected Designation of Origin "Teruel ham" were used to evaluate the impact of gilt immunocastration (vs. entire gilts) on weight losses during the dry-curing process. After processing, 20 dry-cured hams (10 of each group) were chosen at random to assess instrumental and chemical characteristics. Hams from immunocastrated gilts tended (P = 0.057) to present lower weight losses, they were fattier (P < 0.05) at both subcutaneous and intramuscular levels and had lower (P < 0.05) water activity and volatile compounds that provide unpleasant odors than those from entire gilts. However, immunocastration increased (P < 0.05) slightly sodium chloride and sodium nitrite contents, being normal levels. Fatty acid profile was not significantly affected (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that, in general, immunocastration could be a good strategy in gilts to improve the quality of Teruel dry-cured ham.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Pérez-Ciria
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Calle Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Guillermo Ripoll
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Á Sanz
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mireia Blanco
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Francisco J Miana-Mena
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Calle Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria A Latorre
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Calle Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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Font-i-Furnols M, Claret A, Guerrero L, Dalmau A. Consumers' Expectations about Meat from Surgical Castrated or Immunocastrated Male and Female Iberian Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:468. [PMID: 35203176 PMCID: PMC8868342 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A common practice in Iberian pigs is the castration of both males and females, and it can be carried out surgically or by immunization against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF). The aim of this work was to determine consumers' overall liking and expectations towards Iberian pork from five different sex types (castrated females, entire females, GnRF-vaccinated females, castrated males and GnRF-vaccinated males), as well as to know the attitudes and beliefs of consumers towards castration and immunocastration. Loins from 83 Iberian pigs were collected and evaluated by 252 consumers in Barcelona and Madrid. Consumers evaluated the five types of meat in three situations: blind condition (tasting the product), expectations (without tasting) and informed condition. Finally, attitudes and beliefs towards castration and immunocastration were also determined. Results distinguished three segments of consumers labeled as "Indifferent", "Against castration and immunocastration" and "Against immunocastration". Meat from castrated males had higher overall liking scores in the blind condition. Expectations towards pork depending on its sex type affect consumer-informed acceptability; thus, it is important to consider marketing strategies to avoid or direct the effect of the information provided on the acceptability of the pork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Font-i-Furnols
- IRTA Food Quality and Technology, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Spain;
| | - Anna Claret
- IRTA Food Quality and Technology, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Spain;
| | - Luis Guerrero
- IRTA Food Quality and Technology, Finca Camps i Armet s/n, 17121 Monells, Spain;
| | - Antoni Dalmau
- IRTA Animal Welfare, Veïnat de Sies s/n, 17121 Monells, Spain;
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Pérez-Ciria L, Miana-Mena FJ, López-Mendoza MC, Álvarez-Rodríguez J, Latorre MA. Influence of Immunocastration and Diet on Meat and Fat Quality of Heavy Female and Male Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3355. [PMID: 34944132 PMCID: PMC8697961 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Two experiments were carried out; one with female pigs and the other with male pigs destined for Teruel dry-cured ham production, to evaluate the effect of immunocastration (entire gilts-EG vs. immunocastrated gilts-IG and surgically castrated males vs. immunocastrated males-IM) and diet (control vs. high energy vs. low crude protein and amino acids) on meat quality and fat composition. Fifteen meat samples and eight fat samples of each treatment were analyzed in both experiments. In the case of males, six fat samples per treatment were analyzed to determine boar taint. Immunocastration is a good strategy in gilts intended for dry-cured ham production because improves meat composition; however, in males, immunocastration impairs the results of pork chemical composition compared with surgical castration. The IG presented a lower polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio than EG, improving fat technological quality. Diets had little effect on pork or fat quality in gilts, but a high-energy level using oilseeds and a low-crude-protein and -amino-acids diet from 80 to 137 kg of body weight could be interesting in IM to maintain or increase fat consistency, respectively. Moreover, in general, immunocastration is effective in avoiding boar taint in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Pérez-Ciria
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Francisco Javier Miana-Mena
- Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - María Carmen López-Mendoza
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, C/Tirant lo Blanc 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Javier Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Universidad de Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Maria Angeles Latorre
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
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Pérez-Ciria L, Miana-Mena FJ, Falceto MV, Mitjana O, Latorre MA. Effect of Immunocastration and Diet on Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites and Sex Hormones, Reproductive Organ Development and Carcass Quality of Heavy Gilts. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11071900. [PMID: 34202346 PMCID: PMC8300150 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is desirable to increase fatness in gilts destined for Teruel dry-cured ham production. A total of 192 Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) gilts of 40.3 ± 4.80 kg body weight (BW) were used to assess the impact of immunocastration and feeding on growth performance, serum metabolites and sex hormones, reproductive organ development, and carcass quality. Six treatments were arranged factorially (2 × 3) with two types of gilt (entire gilts (EG) vs. immunocastrated gilts (IG)) and three experimental diets (control vs. high energy vs. low crude protein and amino acids) provided from 76 to 134 kg BW (n = 4 per treatment, being the replicate the pen with eight pigs). Immunocastration was carried out at 58 and 77 kg BW. The IG grew faster and showed lighter reproductive tracts and greater fatness than EG. The experimental feeds had limited effect on carcass quality, but the high-energy diet improved gain-to-feed ratio and the low-protein and -amino-acids diet did not impair growth performance. In conclusion, immunocastration was a better strategy than the tested diets to increase the fatness of gilts intended for Teruel dry-cured ham, although increasing energy or decreasing crude protein and amino acid levels in the diet could be beneficial strategies for pig farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Pérez-Ciria
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Francisco Javier Miana-Mena
- Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - María Victoria Falceto
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.V.F.); (O.M.)
| | - Olga Mitjana
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.V.F.); (O.M.)
| | - Maria Angeles Latorre
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Correspondence:
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