title: The effects of immunological castration against GnRH with recombinant OL protein (Ovalbumin-LHRH-7) on carcass and meat quality characteristics, histological appearance of testes and pituitary gland in Kıvırcık male lambs.
abstract: The aims of the study were to investigate the effects of immunization against GnRH using OL protein (Ovalbumin-LHRH-7) on feedlot performance, carcass, meat quality and some reproductive traits in Kıvırcık ram lambs. Ram lambs in the immunization (I, n=7) group were immunized against GnRH using OL protein and boosted 2 weeks later. Control (C, n=7) group was not treated. The animals were kept at pasture for 6 weeks after the first immunization, subjected to a 70 day fattening program, and then slaughtered. Growth performance, various carcass and meat quality characteristics were not affected from the immunization. GnRH immunization induced GnRH antibody production, suppressed testosterone production and testicular growth (P<0.01). Testicular structure was negatively affected from the immunization, but not pituitary. These results suggest that immunization against GnRH with OL could be an alternative castration technique in ram lambs without negatively affecting carcass and meat quality characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University, Cine Vocational School, Cine-Aydin, Turkey. ogokdal@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ozdal
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gökdal
authors.forename: Okan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Atay
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ulker
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kayaardi
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanter
authors.forename: Michael David
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: DeAvila
authors.forename: John Jerry
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Reeves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology*; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D010047:Ovalbumin