Skip to main content

Immunocastration

The aim of immunocastration is to inhibit testicular development and functions via neutralisation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) by specific antibodies. Neutralisation of this hormone by immunological means blocks the development and function of the testes, and thereby prevents problems of boar taint in the meat. Immunisation just before puberty has proved to be a successful method of inhibiting sexual development of male pigs. One aspect to be considered for the effectiveness of vaccines against GnRH is the number of injections needed for effective immunisation. Normally the schedule of immunisation includes two vaccinations at 4 to 6 weeks interval, the last given not later than 4 to 5 weeks prior to slaughter, to allow any boar taint substance to be eliminated.

Since May 2009, immunological castration has been approved for use in all EU countries.

Advantages and Disadvantages compared to surgical castration without anaesthesia:

1

Compared to surgical castration without anaesthesia, what do you expect the advantages and disadvantages of immunocastration to be?
For each of the factors below, indicate whether you think that the technique will bring an advantage, a disadvantage or will have a neutral impact, choosing from the pull-down list.

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

Yes all your choices are correct.

  1. Pain, stress and health consequences = Advantage: because pain and stress consequences associated with surgical castration are avoided.
  2. Incidence of boar taint appearing in meat products = Neutral. With this technique there should be no differences in the level of boar taint compared to surgically castrated pigs. Both have low-risk of having tainted carcasses.
  3. Cost of feeding = Advantage: before being immunized, at about 1 month before slaughter, animals have a better feed efficiency than surgical castrated.
  4. Proportion of lean meat in the carcass = Advantage: In general, immunocastrated pigs have leaner carcasses than surgically castrated pigs. Nevertheless, when comparing to entire male pigs, immunocastrated carcasses are fatter.
  5. Levels of aggression and mounting behaviour in the herd, and ease of management = Disadvantage. After the first vaccination, aggressiveness and sexual behaviour of males is similar to that observed in entire males. After the second vaccination, the behaviour changes and is similar to the castrated ones.
  6. How practical the technique is for use at farm level = Advantage. It is more practical than surgical castration because the farmer doesn't need to hold the pig, immobilize it and perform the surgical procedure. Immunocastration is performed with just two vaccinations in the neck of the pig.
  7. Personal safety of farm workers = Disadvantage because the vaccine is also efficient in humans and auto-injection is a potential risk for workers performing the vaccination.
  8. Other production costs excluding feeding = Disadvantage because there is the extra cost of the vaccine.
One or more of your choices are incorrect. Have another go, or click on the link below to see the answer. Your answer has been saved.
Check your answer

If you need help with the answer to the above question, click here to see the answer.