Browsing by Subject "Immunologische Kastration"

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Effects of immunological castration on the regulation of metabolism in boars
(2010) Bauer, Aneka; Claus, Rolf
Compared to surgical castrates, boars have a superior anabolic potential due to gonadal steroids, i.e. androgens and oestrogens. In consequence, they have an improved fattening performance and lean fat ratio in the carcass. However, most male piglets are surgically castrated without anaesthesia within the first week of life to avoid the unpleasant urine-like boar taint which is not acceptable to many consumers. Boar taint is mainly caused by androstenone which is synthesized in the testes together with the gonadal steroids. Skatole is another compound which contributes to the off odour. But this substance has a faecal smell and can be controlled by feeding strategies. Castration without anaesthesia is now regarded to cause acute pain and stress to the piglets, so that surgical castration is no longer tolerated due to animal welfare considerations. Different alternatives are discussed but it appears that active immunization against the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is the most practicable alternative to surgical castration. It is based on application of a commercial antigen (Improvac®) two times at an interval of 4 weeks. The second vaccination then leads to a high antibody formation and to a blockade of GnRH and thus luteinizing hormone (LH). In turn, the testicular biosynthesis of anabolic hormones as well as androstenone is inhibited. Several studies found that immunized boars still had a better performance than surgical castrates. One explanation is that immunized boars maintain part of their anabolic potential before the second vaccination and thus the onset of antibody formation. Therefore, an exact time schedule for immunization is required to optimize the fattening period without risk of tainted carcasses at slaughter. Another explanation may be that high growth hormone (GH) concentrations are maintained in immunized boars at a boar specific level. In addition to low GH, barrows also have low concentrations of the anabolic insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The present four studies were performed to investigate the hormonal and metabolic reactions before and after the second vaccination and to clarify why high GH concentrations are maintained. The cause for elevated GH levels in immunized boars could not be identified in the present studies. Nevertheless, results allow an exact timing of the vaccinations and thus an optimal use of the anabolic potential of immunized boars without the risk of tainted carcasses at slaughter. A further improvement of the fattening performance may be realized by feeding strategies and their influence on IGF-I.