• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2007

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the immunocastration on the growth performance, the characteristics of carcass and meat quality in boar. Total 45 piglets(Landrace×Yorkshire) were prepared from the birth and were fed the experimental diet by the time to be slaughtered at around 110 kg of body weight. The experimental groups consisted of five piglets per pen with 3 replicates in three treatment groups, non castrated(NC), surgically castrated(SC), and GnRH antagonist(GA). In SC group, all piglets aged 3-4 days after birth were castrated by the surgical method. For the immunocastration, 2ml of GnRH antagonist(Improvac, Pfizer, Australia) were subcutaneously injected into piglets twice on the 16th and 20th week after the beginning of the trial in the GA group. The immunocastration did not make any significant influences on the growth performance, as compared with the other treatments. The different castration method used in either GA or SC group pigs had similar effects on the dressing percentage and body fat content as carcass parameters. In respect of a meat quality, the meat color, pH, shearing force and cooking loss were not significantly different in all treatment groups. Testosterone concentration in serum was shown to be similar between GA and SC group at 2 weeks after the 2nd injection of GnRH antagonist. The weight of bulbourethral gland and the radius and weight of testis were significantly smaller in GA than in NC(P=0.002). All together, this study suggested that the castration by immunocastration can be an alternative method for the surgical castration without any changes in growth performance, the characteristics of carcass and meat quality shown in surgical castration group.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.835-841
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the reversibility and safety of KISS1 metastasis suppressor (KISS1) gene vaccine in immunocastration. Methods: Six eight-week old ram lambs were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. The vaccine (1 mg/ram lamb) was injected at weeks 0, 3, and 6 of the study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before primary immunization and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 22, and 30 after primary immunization. All ram lambs were slaughtered at 38 weeks of age, and samples were collected. Results: The specific anti-KISS1 antibody titers in vaccinated animals were significantly higher and the serum testosterone level was significantly lower than those in the control groups from week 4 to 14 after primary immunization (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed at weeks 22 and 30 after the primary immunization. Similar results were also found for scrotal circumference, testicular weight, length, breadth, and spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules in week 30 after primary immunization. KS (KISS1-hepatitis B surface antigen S) fusion fragment of KISS1 gene vaccine was not detected in host cell genomic DNA of 9 tissues of the vaccinated ram lambs by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: The effects of KISS1 gene vaccine in immunocastration were reversible and no integration events were recorded.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1630-1636
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• 2013

An investigation was carried out to assess the carcass characteristics and meat quality aspects of immunocastrated male pigs of medium genetic potential for lean meat deposition in carcass (53 to 55%). When the crossbred Large White x Landrace pigs (n = 45) were 70 days old, they were distributed in a totally randomized design in three treatments (castrated males, females and immunocastrated males) with three replicates of five animals. The pigs were slaughtered when they were 140 days old. Carcass temperature and pH were recorded twice, at 45 min and 24 h after slaughter. The carcasses were evaluated for hot and cold carcass yield, commercial cuts yield, length and depth, back fat thickness, loin eye area and lean meat percentage. The Longissimus dorsi muscle was extracted for analysis of color ($L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$), exudate loss, cooking loss and centesimal and sensorial analysis of the meat. There were no significant differences for the evaluated parameters between castrated males, immunocastrated males and females, except for backfat thickness between the 7th and 8th thoracic vertebra and the point P2 (lower for immunocastrated males) and carcass temperature at 45 min post slaughter (higher in immunocastrated males), however, this did not interfer with the rate of pH decrease post mortem and the meat quality. The results from this research did not indicate a benefit of immunocastration on carcass characteristics of pigs of medium genetic potential for lean meat deposition in carcass, when compared to surgical castration.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.372-380
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• 2011

This study was conducted to assess meat quality and sensory properties of pork bellies from immunocastrated males (IC) compared to meat from surgically castrated males (SC), intact males (IM), and females (FE). Pork bellies from IC had significantly higher pH values than meat from either SC or FE. Pork bellies from IC showed lower CIE $L^*$ values than those from SC, but were redder (higher CIE $a^*$ values) than meat from SC or FE. However, no differences in visual color were observed between pork bellies from IC and SC pigs using National Pork Producer Council scales. Water holding capacity was higher in SC and FE than that in IC. IC showed no significant difference in cooking loss and shear force values compared with those of SC. Both SC and IC had improved fat content when compared to that in IM, and IC meat showed a similar fat content to that of FE. Pork bellies from IC showed higher ratings for all visual evaluation traits than those of SC and were the same as meat from FE. Boar odor was not significantly different among the treatments. IC was rated similar to SC for taste, tenderness, and overall acceptability.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1552-1558
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• 2021

Objective: This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) and ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) combined with immunocastration on the welfare traits of feedlot Nellore cattle. Methods: Ninety-six Nellore males (average body weight [BW] = 409±50 kg; average 20 mo of age) were divided into two groups according to BW; half of the animals in each group received two doses of an immunocastration (ImC) vaccine in a 30 day interval, and the other half did not receive the vaccine (NoC). Afterward, the animals were housed and fed a common diet for 70 days. Then, they were split into three groups and fed one of the following diets for 30 additional days: control (CO) diet, with no β-AA; ZH diet, containing 80 mg/d ZH; and RH diet, containing 300 mg/d RH. Welfare traits were assessed by monitoring body surface temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) and plasma cortisol and temperament measurements. Results: There was no interaction between sexual condition and diet for any trait. The ImC and NoC groups did not differ in rectal and ocular temperatures. The ImC animals had higher flight speeds (p = 0.022) and tended to have higher cortisol levels (p = 0.059) than the NoC animals. Animals fed ZH and RH did not differ in cortisol levels, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, temperature measured by IRT, or temperament behaviour. Conclusion: The ImC animals showed a less stable temperament during handling practices than NoC, whereas ZH and RH supplementation had no adverse effects on animal welfare.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine on pig growth, carcass quality, and sensory perceptions of pork meat by Thai consumers. Male crossbred pigs (n = 30) were separated into three groups of 10 pigs each: boars, immunocastrated pigs, and surgically castrated pigs. The immunocastrated group was immunized at 13 and 19 weeks of age with GnRH vaccine ($400{\mu}g/dose$). All pigs were slaughtered at 24 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected and testes size determined. Testes weight and back fat thickness were recorded at the time of slaughter, and meat samples were collected for sensory assessment by Thai consumers. Testosterone and progesterone concentration levels decreased significantly two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p < 0.05), and the GnRH antibody titer of the immunocastrated pigs was significantly high two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p < 0.05). GnRH vaccine significantly reduced the weight and size of testes. Thai consumers reported no significant differences in odor or flavor among meat samples from the three groups. In conclusion, immunocastration improved growth performance, removed the need for castration surgery, and avoided "boar taint" in the meat. It has also no distinct trace of the boar taint same as pork that is currently produced from physically castrated pig which is making it acceptable to consumers.