Review article
TEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF IMMUNOCASTRATION
Martin Škrlep
; Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, SI- 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
Nina Batorek-Lukač
; Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, SI- 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
Maja Prevolnik-Povše
; University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Pivola 10, SI-2311 Hoče, Slovenia
Marjeta Čandek-Potokar
; Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, SI- 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
Abstract
Due to animal welfare problems and strong public opposition a ban on surgical castration of male piglets is foreseen in EU until the end of 2018. To cope with this major change in pig production, intensive research of possible alternatives is carried out, in particular fattening of entire (EM) and immunocastrated (IC) males. Present publication is focused on the immunocastration; its physiological principles and impact on metabolism, growth performance, carcass and meat quality, animal welfare, economics and public acceptability. Although current trends indicate that rearing of EM is more likely to become a regular practice for the provision of fresh meat market, immunocastration offers a good alternative, especially interesting for fattening pigs to higher age and weight (e.g. more extensive systems) due to the efficient elimination of boar taint and advantages in animal
welfare and meat quality.
Keywords
pigs; immunocastration; welfare; performance; meat quality; public acceptance
Hrčak ID:
136354
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2014.
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