Growth performance and carcass characteristics of immunologically-castrated barrows in comparison to intact males, physically-castrated barrows, and gilts

Puls, Christopher L.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/46583 Copy

Description

Title

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of immunologically-castrated barrows in comparison to intact males, physically-castrated barrows, and gilts

Author(s)

Puls, Christopher L.

Issue Date

2014-01-16T17:54:56Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Ellis, Michael

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Ellis, Michael

Committee Member(s)

• McKeith, Floyd K.
• Shipley, Clifford
• Peterson, Beau

Department of Study

Animal Sciences

Discipline

Animal Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• immunological castration
• Improvest®
• pigs

Abstract

Three studies were conducted to compare the growth performance and carcass characteristics of immunologically-castrated (with Improvest®) barrows relative to other genders. The first study evaluated the growth performance of immunologically- and physically-castrated barrows, intact males, and gilts from wk 16 of age (67.2 ± 2.52 kg BW) to a pen mean BW of 132.5 ± 3.60 kg. The results of this study suggested that immunologically- compared to physically-castrated barrows had greater overall ADG and G:F, but similar overall ADFI. In the period after second Improvest® dose, immunologically-castrated barrows had greater ADG and ADFI than the other genders. The second study evaluated the effect of Gender (physically-and immunologically-castrated barrows, and gilts) and Ractopamine inclusion level (0, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs from wk 16 of age (69.6 ± 2.96 kg BW) for a fixed-time of 61 d. The results of this study confirmed that immunologically- compared to physically castrated barrows had greater growth performance, but lower carcass yield. In addition, the results of this study confirmed the effects of ractopamine on growth performance and carcass characteristics and suggested that the response to ractopamine is similar in all of the genders. The final study was carried out to evaluate the effects of increasing the time from second Improvest® dose to the end of test on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of immunologically-castrated barrows in comparison to physically-castrated barrows and gilts. Second dose of Improvest® was given at wk 14, 16, 18, or 20 of age, with animals being sent for harvest 4, 6, 8, or 10 wk later. The difference in performance of physically-castrated barrows and gilts was generally in line with expectations. The growth performance of immunologically-castrated barrows became more similar to physically-castrated barrows as the time between second dose and end of test increased. These results suggest that there is no advantage in growth performance from giving second Improvest® dose earlier than 4- iii wk prior to harvest. Overall, this research suggests that immunological castration with Improvest® improves growth performance compared to physically-castrated barrows, however, the reduction in carcass yield for immunologically-compared to physically-castrated barrows is of concern and warrants further study.

Graduation Semester

2013-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46583

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Copyright 2013 Christopher Puls

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