Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.0804

The effects of sex and castration on the serum biochemical profile in commercial pigs

Ivona Žura Žaja ; Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marinko Vilić ; Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Petra Jurković ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, Student
Ana Shek Vugrovečki ; Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirela Pavić ; Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Ostović ; Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Sven Menčik ; Department of Animal Breeding and Livestock Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Nina Poljičak-Milas ; Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Nino Maćešić ; Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Samardžija ; Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Nikolino Žura ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, PhD Student
Anamaria Sluganović ; Coloplast, Zagreb, Croatia
Suzana Milinković-Tur ; Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Sex-related differences in physiological processes, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of disease have great importance in human medicine, and these differences should also be investigated and implemented in studies on animals. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effects of sex and castration on the serum biochemical profile of commercial pigs. The study was conducted on clinically healthy, sexually mature fattening pigs of the Swedish Landrace breed, divided into four groups: intact males (n = 6), intact females (n = 5), castrated males (n = 6) and castrated females (n = 7). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein using blood test tubes without an anticoagulant. After centrifugation, the serum was separated, and the values of the following parameters were determined by spectrophotometry: the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase, and the concentrations of total proteins, albumins, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, glucose, urea, bilirubin and creatinine. The study results showed significantly lower (P<0.05) serum glucose concentrations in castrated males as compared to intact males. However, castrated males had significantly higher (P<0.05) urea concentration than intact ones. There were no significant between-group differences in the values of the other parameters investigated, however, certain patterns of occurrence were observed. Accordingly, further studies are required in order to define more accurately the effects of sex and castration on the values of biochemical parameters in the blood serum of pigs.

Keywords

biochemical parameters; blood serum; castration; pigs; sex

Hrčak ID:

245171

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/245171

Publication date:

22.10.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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