Publications by authors named "Ricardo Pereira Pinto"
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates the effects of seasonality on Bísaro boars, a Portuguese pig breed, by analyzing 20 male pigs raised outdoors and slaughtered in either winter or summer.
- - Results showed that summer boars had smaller testicle volume, indicating decreased reproductive functionality, and although no major differences in boar taint compounds were found, summer meat had a stronger aroma and flavor of boar taint.
- - The fatty acid profile was higher in winter pigs, highlighting that reproductive seasonality influences meat quality and potential farm management strategies.
The Bísaro pig is a Portuguese autochthonous breed greatly appreciated for its meat quality and is mainly reared outdoors. Immunocastration could be a solution to avoid undesirable pregnancies and boar taint in cull sows. The present study tested three immunocastration protocols (with Improvac) according to their reproductive cycle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunocastration can be an alternative to surgical castration in Bísaro pigs when there is a need to keep animals on the farm until at least 8 months old. As an autochthonous breed, some particularities must be addressed when doing immunocastration, for which 3 different protocols were tested and two control groups were made with surgically castrated males (SC) and boars (Bo). Two protocols were made in prepubertal pigs, with two (E2) and three inoculations (L3) in the first cycle, and another in adults (A2) with only two inoculations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSerra da Estrela is the oldest and most recognizable traditional protected designation of origin (PDO) cheese from Portugal. It has been extensively studied over the years, but the latest microbial characterization is 20 years old. Hence, this work aimed to perform an updated characterization of Serra da Estrela PDO cheeses and raw materials.
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