The effects of different immunocastration protocols on meat quality traits and boar taint compounds in male Bísaro pigs

• Published in: Theriogenology 2024-01, Vol.214, p.89-97
• Main Authors: Botelho-Fontela, Sofia, Paixão, Gustavo, Pereira-Pinto, Ricardo, Vaz-Velho, Manuela, Pires, Maria A., Payan-Carreira, Rita, Patarata, Luís, Lorenzo, José M., Silva, António, Esteves, Alexandra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androstenone; Autochthonous breed; Boar taint; Immunocastration; Pigs; Skatole
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.10.016

Immunocastration can be an alternative to surgical castration in Bísaro pigs when there is a need to keep animals on the farm until at least 8 months old. As an autochthonous breed, some particularities must be addressed when doing immunocastration, for which 3 different protocols were tested and two control groups were made with surgically castrated males (SC) and boars (Bo). Two protocols were made in prepubertal pigs, with two (E2) and three inoculations (L3) in the first cycle, and another in adults (A2) with only two inoculations. Physicochemical parameters and boar taint compounds quantification and sensory analysis of the meat from the studied pigs were assessed. Immunocastration provided intermediate values between surgically castrated pigs and entire males, with low levels of boar taint compounds. The L3 group provided closer results to SC, which was also corroborated by the sensory analysis. Although the other two protocols had no significant differences with Bo, there was a positive tendency towards them. As is, the L3 protocol was promising as a good alternative to surgical castration, maintaining the characteristic attributes of the Bísaro pig meat. •Adaptation of the immunocastration protocols is imperative in autochthonous breeds.•Immunocastration with 5 inoculations gives their meat characteristics similar to surgically castrated pigs.•Two inoculations in adults lower boar taint compounds significantly.•Immunocastration provides ethically-produced pork, which consumers greatly appreciate.•Immunocastration can be an alternative to surgical castration in autochthonous pigs, such as the Bísaro pig.