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Chitambala T, Ny V, Ceacero F, Bartoň L, Bureš D, Kotrba R, Needham T. Effects of Immunocastration and Amino Acid Supplementation on Yearling Fallow Deer ( Dama dama) Testes Development. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:115. [PMID: 38200846 PMCID: PMC10778327 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Forty-four fallow deer bucks (10 months old; 22.9 ± 2.4 kg) were utilized to investigate the effects of immunocastration and amino acid supplementation on testes development. Immunocastrated bucks were administered Improvac® at weeks 1, 8, and 20 of this study (control group: intact males). Starting at week 8, half of each sex received rumen-protected lysine and methionine (3:1) supplementation. At slaughter (week 37/39), body size, internal fat deposits, antler size parameters, testes weight, testes surface color, cauda epididymal sperm viability and morphology, and seminiferous tubule circumference and epithelium thickness were determined. Animals with larger body sizes, greater forequarter development, and antler growth also had greater testes development. Whilst the result of immunocastration on testes size is unexpected, testes tissue showed impaired development (atrophied seminiferous tubules), decreased sperm viability, and normal morphology. Testes tissue from immunocastrated deer was less red, possibly indicating reduced blood supply. Conversely, amino acid supplementation increased testes' redness and sperm viability, and intact males fed amino acids showed the greatest seminiferous tubule development. Thus, immunocastration may be a welfare-friendly alternative for venison production. Whilst the results support findings from the literature that testes size is not a reliable indicator of immunocastration success, this warrants further investigation in deer over different physiological development stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thoniso Chitambala
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.C.); (V.N.); (F.C.); (R.K.)
| | - Veit Ny
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.C.); (V.N.); (F.C.); (R.K.)
- Department of Cattle Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, 10400 Prague, Czech Republic; (L.B.); (D.B.)
| | - Francisco Ceacero
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.C.); (V.N.); (F.C.); (R.K.)
| | - Luděk Bartoň
- Department of Cattle Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, 10400 Prague, Czech Republic; (L.B.); (D.B.)
| | - Daniel Bureš
- Department of Cattle Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, 10400 Prague, Czech Republic; (L.B.); (D.B.)
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kotrba
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.C.); (V.N.); (F.C.); (R.K.)
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, 10400 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tersia Needham
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.C.); (V.N.); (F.C.); (R.K.)
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Ny V, Needham T, Bartoň L, Bureš D, Kotrba R, Musa AS, Ceacero F. Effects of immunocastration and supplementary feeding level on the performance and blood biochemical markers of farmed yearling fallow deer (Dama dama). J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2023; 107:1158-1166. [PMID: 36707928 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In cervids, blood biochemical markers may reflect changes in various physiological and environmental factors, especially in response to changes in metabolism following nutrient supplementation or the manipulation of hormone production. Decreasing androgen production through immunocastration (IC) to ease the husbandry of male animals is currently a more ethically acceptable method than physical castration, but its commercial use is unexplored in fallow deer. Forty yearlings male fallow deer were grouped into four treatment combinations: IC on high (200 g commercial pellets + 600 g concentrate mixture of 90% oats and 10% wheat grains) or low (100 g commercial pellets + 300 g concentrate mixture of 90% oats and 10% wheat grains) level of feed supplementation, or noncastrated bucks on a high or low level of feed supplementation. Immunocastrated animals were vaccinated at the start of the study (Week 1) and again during Week 3 of the study. Diet affected all body growth parameters (slaughter weight, daily gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage and body condition score). Fallow deer from all treatments showed increasing concentrations of fat and energy blood biochemical markers over the study period, including plasma glucose (GLU) and triglyceride (TRIG), and decreased cholesterol (CHOL) and lipase (LIPA) concentrations. The higher level of supplementary feeding decreased plasma albumin (ALB) and creatinine (CREA), and increased globulin (GLOB) concentrations. On the other hand, IC and lower-level supplementation reduced growth performance. Overall, IC may be an interesting tool for welfare management of yearling stags for slaughter; however, the advantage appears to only be in well-fed animals, as low-level of feeding can further reduce growth performance in immunocastrated animals. Further studies should evaluate the carcass performance of animals under similar treatment conditions to ascertain the effects on muscle and fat yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veit Ny
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Cattle Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tersia Needham
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luděk Bartoň
- Department of Cattle Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Bureš
- Department of Cattle Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kotrba
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Abubakar S Musa
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco Ceacero
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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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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Škrlep M, Tomašević I, Mörlein D, Novaković S, Egea M, Garrido MD, Linares MB, Peñaranda I, Aluwé M, Font-i-Furnols M. The Use of Pork from Entire Male and Immunocastrated Pigs for Meat Products-An Overview with Recommendations. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1754. [PMID: 32993171 PMCID: PMC7601181 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Škrlep
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Tomašević
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.T.); (S.N.)
| | - Daniel Mörlein
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Saša Novaković
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.T.); (S.N.)
| | - Macarena Egea
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain; (M.E.); (M.D.G.); (M.B.L.); (I.P.)
| | - María Dolores Garrido
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain; (M.E.); (M.D.G.); (M.B.L.); (I.P.)
| | - María Belén Linares
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain; (M.E.); (M.D.G.); (M.B.L.); (I.P.)
| | - Irene Peñaranda
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain; (M.E.); (M.D.G.); (M.B.L.); (I.P.)
| | - Marijke Aluwé
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Scheldeweg 68, 9090 Melle, Belgium;
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Portuguese Local Pig Breeds: Genotype Effects on Meat and Fat Quality Traits. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10050905. [PMID: 32456067 PMCID: PMC7278411 DOI: 10.3390/ani10050905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Local breeds are generally associated with slower growth rates, higher slaughter weights, and fatter carcasses due to genetic and rearing system characteristics. When compared to intensive pig production systems, those based on European local breeds generally provide a more favourable response to the required increase in the production of high-quality pork and pork products in sustainable chains, meeting consumer demands. Reducing costs and improving the economic viability of production systems while preserving the quality of the products obtained is of vital importance. In this work, we propose that Portuguese local pig production chains could improve their performance and productivity without compromising the quality of the final product by crossing local breeds instead of crossing with modern breeds. This could help to maintain or increase local breed populations, supporting conservation of animal biodiversity. Abstract This work investigated the contribution of cross-breeding between two local Portuguese pig breeds to the conservation of animal biodiversity and income of local pig producers. Quality traits of semimembranosus (SM), gluteus medius (GM) and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF) were studied in Alentejano (AL), Bísaro (BI), AL × BI, and BI × AL (Ribatejano—RI) castrated male pigs. Pigs were reared outdoors, fed ad libitum, and slaughtered at ~65 (trial 1) and 150 kg BW (trial 2). In trial 1, AL pigs showed higher SM intramuscular fat, lower total collagen, and higher soluble collagen than BI pigs, while AL × BI and BI × AL pigs showed intermediate (NS) values. AL, AL × BI, and BI × AL pigs showed higher SM myoglobin content, and AL a more intense red colour than BI pigs. Finally, AL, AL × BI, and BI × AL showed higher total lipids in DSF than BI pigs. In trial 2, SM and DSF results were similar to those obtained in trial 1. In GM, AL and BI × AL showed higher intramuscular fat than BI and AL × BI pigs, while AL, AL × BI and BI × AL showed lower total collagen content than BI pigs. In conclusion, these results suggest that RI crosses are a productive alternative, with overall muscle and DSF traits statistically not different between AL × BI and BI × AL, and similar to those observed in AL pigs.
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Meat quality traits in longissimus lumborum and gluteus medius muscles from immunocastrated and surgically castrated Iberian pigs. Meat Sci 2019; 150:77-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Apple JK, Maxwell CV, Bass BE, Yancey JWS, Payne RL, Thomson J. Effects of reducing dietary crude protein levels and replacement with crystalline amino acids on growth performance, carcass composition, and fresh pork quality of finishing pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride. J Anim Sci 2018; 95:4971-4985. [PMID: 29293731 DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Progeny of GPK-35 females mated to PIC 380 boars were blocked by initial BW, and within the 9 blocks, pens of pigs (3 gilts and 3 barrows/pen) were randomly assigned to dietary treatments where CP of finisher-I, -II, and -III diets was 1) 16.04, 14.55, and 16.23%, respectively (Ctrl); 2) 14.76, 13.48, and 15.27%, respectively (ILE); 3) 14.26, 12.78, and 14.28%, respectively (VAL); or 4) 12.65, 12.38, and 13.32%, respectively (NoSBM). All finisher-III diets included 10 mg/kg of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) and a Lys:ME ratio of 2.79 g/Mcal. At slaughter, HCW and Fat-O-Meat'er data were recorded before carcasses were subjected to a rapid chilling process. A subsample of whole hams (2/pen) and whole loins (2/pen) were transported under refrigeration to the University of Arkansas. Hams were dissected with a knife into lean, fat, and bone, and 2.5-cm-thick chops from the semimembranosus (SM) and the LM were used to measure fresh pork quality characteristics. Both ADG and G:F decreased (linear, = 0.05) as CP decreased in finisher-I diets, whereas ADFI was reduced (linear, = 0.01) in response to decreasing CP in finisher-II diets. When RAC was included in the finisher-III diets, ADFI and BW decreased (linear, ≤ 0.03) with decreasing CP, and pigs fed the ILE diet had greater (cubic, < 0.01) G:F than pigs fed the Ctrl and VAL diets. Across the entire finishing period, ADG and ADFI decreased (linear, = 0.01) in response to reductions in dietary CP. Conversely, reducing CP in finisher diets did not ( ≥ 0.13) affect carcass yield, fat depth, LM depth, or calculated fat-free lean yield, and dietary CP content did not ( ≥ 0.09) alter the lean, fat, or bone composition of fresh hams. Moreover, there was no effect of dietary CP on the visual and instrumental color or firmness of the LM ( ≥ 0.06) or SM ( ≥ 0.12). However, there were linear increases in LM marbling scores ( = 0.02) and intramuscular fat content ( = 0.03) as CP was reduced in the finisher diets. Although reducing dietary CP decreased overall ADG and ADFI by approximately 6.1 and 4.9%, respectively, carcass composition was not impacted by dietary CP level. More importantly, reducing dietary CP, although meeting the standard ileal digestible requirements for Lys, Thr, Trp, Met, Ile, and Val with crystalline AA, did not impact pork color or water-holding capacity and actually increased the intramuscular fat content of the LM.
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Palma-Granados P, Haro A, Lara L, Aguilera JF, Nieto R, Seiquer I. Differences on meat colour and composition between ‘Landrace × Large White’ and ‘Iberian’ pigs under identical nutritional and management conditions. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/an16375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In pig production, factors such as nutritional system and genotype affect quality characteristics of meat. This study was aimed to evaluate differences in nutritional composition and colour of meat between Iberian (IB) and Landrace × Large White (LLW) pigs reared under identical nutrition and management conditions. Nutrient composition, mineral content, fatty acid profile and instrumental colour of two muscles (longissimus thoracis and biceps femoris) were examined at two growing stages (50- and 115-kg weight). Significant differences were found in relation to genotype. IB muscles contained higher amounts of intramuscular fat, dry matter, monounsaturated fatty acids, iron and zinc, and were redder (higher a* value) and with less colour saturation (lower hue angle), than those from LLW pigs. Significant relationships between colour coordinates with the mineral content and the lipid profile of muscles were found: redness was mainly linked to iron, zinc and monounsaturated fatty acids levels, whereas yellowness was positively related with copper, polyunsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid level. The results of the present study support that muscles from the IB pig genotype have special characteristics, which may enhance the overall quality of meat compared with conventional or high-lean porcine breeds, even under identical management system, due to its particular fat composition and colour attributes.
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Moore K, Mullan B, Dunshea F. Boar taint, meat quality and fail rate in entire male pigs and male pigs immunized against gonadotrophin releasing factor as related to body weight and feeding regime. Meat Sci 2017; 125:95-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Quality traits of pork semimembranosus and triceps brachii muscles sourced from the United States and Mexico. Meat Sci 2016; 122:125-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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The influence of vaccination interval on growth, carcass traits and testicle parameters of immunocastrated ram lambs. Small Rumin Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Needham T, Hoffman LC. Carcass traits and cutting yields of entire and immunocastrated pigs fed increasing protein levels with and without ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation1–3. J Anim Sci 2015; 93:4545-56. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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