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The Effect of Testosterone and Castration on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Swine¹

Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station³

Abstract

Carcass comparisons of the boars and barrows of different castration weights showed that the boars and 180 pound castrates had a higher percent of lean in the rough loin, less backfat, longer body length and a higher liveweight and carcass preferred cut yield. Quality of the pork produced by boars was inferior in all respects. Acceptability tests showed that the boars produced pork that had a definite "off" flavor and odor. The accessory sex glands and kidney weights of the boars were heavier and the weights decreased very rapidly as the weights of castration decreased. There was no significant difference in sex accessory gland and kidney weights between normal barrows and barrows implanted with 193 mg. pellets of testosterone proprionate. No objectionable odor or flavor was found in pork produced by animals castrated an average of 5 weeks prior to slaughter. Rate of gain and amount of gain per pound of feed was not affected by testosterone pellet implantation, delayed castration or by non-castration.

¹ Journal article 1544, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Present address, Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kansas.

³ Departments of Animal Husbandry, Physiology and Pharmacology and Foods and Nutrition.