Behavior of immunologically castrated barrows in comparison to gilts, physically castrated barrows, and intact male pigs.

The behavior of immunologically castrated barrows (IC; with Improvest; Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) was compared with that of intact males (IM), physically castrated barrows (PC), and gilts (G). The study used 160 commercial crossbred pigs in a randomized complete block design (blocking factor was start date of study) and was performed over an 8-wk period from 16 wk of age (67.2 ± 2.

Growth performance of immunologically castrated (with Improvest) barrows (with or without ractopamine) compared to gilt, physically castrated barrow, and intact male pigs.

The study used a randomized complete block design (blocking factor was date of start on test) with 5 treatments: 1) physically castrated barrows (PC), 2) intact males (IM), 3) gilts (G), 4) immunologically castrated barrows (IC), and 5) immunologically castrated barrows fed ractopamine at 5 mg/kg (IC+RAC). The study used 192 pigs and was performed from the 16 wk of age (67.2 ± 2.

Effects of immunological castration (Improvest) on changes in dressing percentage and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs.

The objective was to determine which tissue components contributed to the reduction in carcass yield of immunologically castrated (IC) barrows when compared to physically castrated (PC) barrows. The carcass yield of an IC barrow is less than the carcass yield of a PC barrow. This has historically been attributed to the presence of testicles, but the testes have only accounted for approximately 0.

The effect of immunization against GnRF on nutrient requirements of male pigs: a review.

In most countries, male pigs are physically castrated soon after birth to reduce the risk of boar taint and to avoid behaviours such as fighting and mounting. However, entire male pigs are more feed efficient and deposit less fat than barrows. In addition, many animal welfare organizations are lobbying for a cessation of castration, with a likelihood that this could lead to inferior pork unless an alternative method is used to control boar taint.

Interactive effect of ractopamine and dietary fat source on pork quality characteristics of fresh pork chops during simulated retail display.

Crossbred pigs (n = 216) were used to test the interactive effect, if any, of ractopamine (RAC) and dietary fat source on the performance of finishing pigs, pork carcass characteristics, and quality of LM chops during 5 d of simulated retail display (2.6 degrees C and 1,600 lx warm-white fluorescent lighting). Pigs were blocked by BW and allotted randomly to pens (6 pigs/pen), and, after receiving a common diet devoid of RAC for 2 wk, pens within blocks were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with 5% fat [beef tallow (BT) vs.