Effect of early immunocastration on testicular histology in pigs

Sládek, Z.; Prudikova, M.; Knoll, A.; Kulich, Pavel; Steinhauserova, I.; Borilova, G.

doi:10.17221/121/2017-vetmed

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As for the histological examinations of testicles of pigs vaccinated with Improvak, results similar to ours were also obtained by other researchers who also report significant inhibition of spermatogenesis in the testicles' seminiferous tubules, decrease in their diameter and the area and atrophy of the nuclei of the interstitial endocrine cells. Our studies confirm and add to the results of these authors indicating that castration with Improvak impairs spermatogenesis and decreases the number and sizes of interstitial endocrine cells (Sladek et al, 2018). The authors report that immunological castration has an effect on the concentration of testosterone and weight of the testicles.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In particular, decrease in the testosterone level, decrease in the sizes of the testicles and the bulbourethral gland, and also inhibition of spermatogenesis were observed. These significant consequences are associated with drop in the level of testosterone and other hormones that are produced by the interstitial endocrine cells, the level of which is lower than needed for spermatogenesis (Sladek et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of immunological castration of male pigs on morphological and functional con-dition of the testicles

Samoilіuk

Koziy

Bilyi

et al. 2021

Regul. Mech. Biosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Changes in the priorities of the treatment of animals in the conditions of intense technology of production of livestock products are based on the necessity of wellbeing of animals. Therefore, there is a need of search for and broad introduction of generally accepted alternatives to surgery, which would use modern means of castration, particularly immunocastration. The study presents morpho-functional substantiation of practicability of using immunological castration in the conditions of industrial production of pork. At the same time, we studied immunological castration using Improvak on the morphological and physiological condition of the testicles of male pigs. The testosterone level was determined using radioimmunologic method after 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks of immunological and surgical castrations, and also in intact boars of the control group. During the slaughter, we selected biopates of the testicles in immunological castrates and pigs of the control group for histological examination. The testosterone level 2 weeks after castration was the lowest in the animals castrated using Improvak. This indicator gradually increased, and after 8 weeks was higher than in the surgically castrated pigs. In the latter, the level of testosterone gradually decreased for 8 weeks, and did not significantly change in non-castrated pigs. The last stages of spermatogenesis in immunocastrates were inhibited after the second vaccination. As a result of immunological castration, the interstitial tissue of the testicle underwent changes. Between the tubules, a spreading of the loose connective tissue was observed. Leydig cells lost hyper chromaticity of the cytoplasm and typical polygonal profile, and their functional potential decreased. This fact was confirmed by the changes in the Hertwig’s ratio. In particular, we observed decrease in the value of the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. There were also a time shift of mitotic cycle, low degree of differentiation of spermatogonia and rupture of the course of the subsequent stages of spermatogenesis. However, there occurred multiplication of primary spermatogonia, single cellular divisions, and in the ductus deferentes, there could be found single spermatids. Some of them formed specific cellular groups of rounded and elliptic shapes in the seminiferous tubules. These structures were absent in the testicles of the control animals. Microstructural changes in the swine after injecting Improvak were characterized by deficiency of Leydig cells, indicating absence of the normal hormonal background, as confirmed by the results of the study of testosterone level. The epithelium-spermatogenic layer was underdeveloped, and the lumens of the tubules were in some places filled with generations of spermatocytes. In some places, meiosis was observed, which also indicates insignificant functioning of the testicles. Vaccination with Improvak caused atrophy of the testicles in swine and decrease in their functional condition, allowing it to be recommended it for broader application as an alternative to surgical castration.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of immunological castration of male pigs on morphological and functional con-dition of the testicles

Samoilіuk

Koziy

Bilyi

et al. 2021

Regul. Mech. Biosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Earlier vaccination protocols have been studied and compared to the one recommended by the manufacturer to enhance the suppression of reproductive function. Some of the advantages are a distinct reduction in the reproductive organs' size, a reduction in testicular activity and controlled boar taint [4,36]. Similarly to the results of Sladek et al [36] and Brunius et al [4], in this assay, the early vaccination performed in group E2, starting at 9 weeks of age, did not interfere with the vaccine's efficacy.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Some of the advantages are a distinct reduction in the reproductive organs' size, a reduction in testicular activity and controlled boar taint [4,36]. Similarly to the results of Sladek et al [36] and Brunius et al [4], in this assay, the early vaccination performed in group E2, starting at 9 weeks of age, did not interfere with the vaccine's efficacy. For sexually precocious breeds, like BP, this is of major importance.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Long-Term Immunocastration Protocols Successfully Reduce Testicles’ Size in Bísaro Pigs

Paixão

Fontela

Marques

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study aimed to find a suitable immunocastration protocol for male Bísaro pigs (BP) due to the breed and production system particularities. Twenty-five male BP were treated with Improvac® according to three protocols: using two (GrpE2 and L2) or three vaccinations (GrpL3) and starting at 9 (GrpE2) or 13 weeks old (GrpL2 and L3). Eleven animals were kept as intact males (GrpC). Scrotal measurements and the morphometry of the testes and epididymides collected at slaughter were used to survey the effectiveness of the immunocastration compared with the age-matched intact controls. Animals in groups E2 and L3 were kept until 57 weeks, after a second vaccination cycle at 49 and 53 weeks of age. Scrotal dimensions decreased to almost initial values in treated animals until 17 (GrpE2) and 21 weeks (GrpL2 and L3), thereafter increasing to post-pubertal values until around 29 or 37 weeks of age for groups E2 and L2, respectively, but only at 41 weeks in group L3. Between 41 and 49 weeks, scrotal dimensions were similar in treated and control animals, decreasing to the predicted pre-puberty size after the second cycle of vaccination. This study suggests the most suited protocol for males slaughtered at older ages includes three administrations of Improvac® starting at 3 months of age, followed by a second vaccination cycle.

show abstract

“…In some of the EARLY pigs, an only slightly or moderately less advanced atrophication of testes was associated with testes weights that were comparable to values for entire male pigs. They were markedly higher than testes weights of pigs in the early immunization schemes of Sladek et al [ 23 ], which received a first dose at 8 weeks and a second dose 8 or 15 weeks prior to slaughter. The individual time span between the last immunization and slaughter in this study was 12 to 23 weeks for the EARLY group pigs and a resumption of steroidogenesis, which is accompanied by a rise of testosterone values, might be an explanation for higher testes weights [ 17 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Early Immunocastration of Pigs: From Farming to Meat Quality

Werner

Baldinger

Bussemas

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The study aimed to test a very early immunization of pigs to prevent boar taint with regard to its practicability and influence on production performance, its reliability in ensuring good meat and fat quality, and animal welfare. Immunization was already conducted at piglet production stage and could be easily integrated into routine vaccination (week 3) and weaning practices (week 7). The fattening and slaughter performance of the animals was not affected by the immunization regime and was within the usual range. In addition, there were no abnormalities in animal behavior and the prevalence of injuries caused by aggressive interactions. All animals were classified as infertile on the basis of the histological examination of the testicles. However, the testosterone levels measured at slaughter were significantly higher in animals of the early immunization regime than in animals subjected to the standard immunization regime. Androstenone and skatole levels as the main components of boar taint were, on average, higher and varied to a greater extent in early immunized animals. Furthermore, the comparison of the immunization scheme did not result in significant differences for meat quality and for fatty acid composition.

show abstract

Effect of early immunocastration on testicular histology in pigs

Cited by 6 publications

References 26 publications

Effect of immunological castration of male pigs on morphological and functional con-dition of the testicles

Effect of immunological castration of male pigs on morphological and functional con-dition of the testicles

Long-Term Immunocastration Protocols Successfully Reduce Testicles’ Size in Bísaro Pigs

Early Immunocastration of Pigs: From Farming to Meat Quality

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About