Pork Insight Articles

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Author(s): E.J. Squires and F.S. Schenkel
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
Reference: London Swine Conference, 2010
Country: Canada

Summary:

Entire males have improved feed efficiency and lean gain when compared to surgically castrated males, but the presence of boar taint can restrict their use. If genetic markers for boar taint could be identified a breeding program to reduce or eliminate it could be created, providing an economical and animal welfare advantage for producers. The cause of boar taint is when androstenone, from the testis, and skatole, from tryptophan breakdown, accumulates in the fat. Alternatives to surgical castration for controlling boar taint include immunocastration and genetic selection. Previous problems with genetic selection have been that selecting boars with low boar taint results in reproductive problems. Genetic markers could help identify the location of boar taint genes, and allow selection with maintained performance. The University of Guelph has identified 80 SNPs in 28 genes that are associated with skatole and androstenone levels in fat. Depending on the line, selection could reduce fat skatole levels 20-53%, fat androstenone levels by 26-61%, and maintain performance.

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