J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1988. 66:470-478.
© 1988 American Society of Animal Science
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Growth, Carcass Traits, Boar Odor and Testicular and Endocrine Functions of Male Pigs Fed a Progestogen, Altrenogest1

E. F. Kluber, III2,3,, J. E. Minton2,4,, J. S. Stevenson2, M. C. Hunt2, D. L. Davis2, T. A. Hoagland2 and J. L. Nelssen2

Kansas State University,2, Manhattan 66506 and University of Connecticut,5, Storrs 06268

Abstract

Crossbred (Chester White x Yorkshire x Duroc) boars were used to evaluate the effects of feeding a progestogen (altrenogest) on body growth, endocrine function (determined during feeding and after withdrawal of altrenogest), carcass composition, boar odor and testicular function (determined after a 30-d withdrawal from altrenogest). Boars from 18 litters were assigned at 12 wk of age to three treatments: 1) 18 control boars; 2) 18 boars fed altrenogest (20 mg/day) for 6 wk from 15 to 21 wk of age, followed by 30 d with no treatment; and 3) 18 boars castrated at 2 wk of age (barrows). Daily gains were greater (P<.05) in boars fed altrenogest than in barrows through 21 wk of age but were lower (P<.05) than those of control boars and barrows during the 30-d withdrawal period. Boars fed altrenogest weighed less (P<.05) than control boars and barrows at 25 wk of age (at slaughter). Both groups of boars were similar in percentage of muscle and had less (P<.05) backfat than barrows, whereas control boars had the largest (P<.05) loineye areas. Based on evaluations by a trained sensory panel, intensity of boar odor in fat samples was similar for both groups of boars and was greater (P<.05) than that for barrows. Weights of accessory reproductive glands and weight and sperm content of testes and epididymides were reduced (P<.05) in boars fed altrenogest. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in serum (but not follicle-stimulating hormone) were reduced (P<.05) for boars fed altrenogest compared with control boars during the period of altrenogest treatment. The data suggest that feeding altrenogest to growing boars had no negative effects on growth performance during treatment or on carcass qualitative traits after withdrawal of altrenogest. Secretion of LH and testosterone were reduced during treatment but returned promptly after withdrawal of altrenogest.

Footnotes

1 Contribution no. 87-405-J, Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Ind., Kansas Agric. Exp. Sta., Manhattan 66506. The authors acknowledge the generous donation of altrenogest (Regu-Mate®) from Roussel-UCLAF, Paris, France. We thank L. E. Reichert, Jr., Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, for supplying the purified FSH; D. J. Bolt, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD, for providing the purified LH; and G. D. Niswender, Colorado State Univ., for supplying testosterone antiserum. Gratitude is expressed to Kathy Minneman and Becky Beckley for typing this manuscript and to Kenneth E. Kemp for his assistance with the statistical analyses.

2 Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Ind.

3 Present address: Swine Vet. Serv., Greensburgh, IN 47240.

4 Address reprint requests to this author.

5 Dept. of Anim. Sci.






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Copyright © 1988 by the American Society of Animal Science.