title: Effect of an anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine on sexual and aggressive behaviour in male pigs during the finishing period under Australian field conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine in controlling sexual and aggressive behaviour of male pigs in the late finishing period under Australian field conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male pigs from four consecutive batches over a 4-month period were randomly assigned to two groups: an untreated control group (n = 434) or a group treated with Improvac® (n = 433). The vaccine was administered at 10 and 16 weeks of age. Pigs were housed under commercial conditions in ecoshelters, a commonly used housing system in Australia in which pigs are kept in large pens often containing >100 animals. The occurrence of sexual and aggressive behaviours was recorded and evaluated after second vaccination until slaughter at 22 weeks of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male pigs treated with Improvac demonstrated significant reductions in mounting, fighting, pushing, head butting and tail manipulation when compared with control animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms that vaccination with Improvac can improve the welfare of entire male pigs by inhibiting sexual and aggressive behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, New South Wales, 2138, Australia. branislav.karaconji@zoetis.com.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karaconji
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meaney
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahern
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008297:Male; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013552:Swine / Q000523:psychology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: animal welfare; behaviour; boars; gonadotropin-releasing factor; pigs