title: Comparison of meat quality parameters in surgical castrated versus vaccinated against gonadotrophin-releasing factor male and female Iberian pigs reared in free-ranging conditions.
abstract: This study compared carcass and meat quality traits between 16 vaccinated (VF), 19 castrated (CF) and 8 entire (EF) female Iberian pigs, and between 21 vaccinated (VM) and 19 castrated (CM) male Iberian pigs reared in free ranging conditions. Vaccination consisted in the application of Improvac® at the age of 11, 12 and 14 months in VF and VM. Pigs were slaughtered at 16 months. In females, carcass and meat quality were found to be very similar regardless of the treatment. In males, VM had a leaner carcass, lower (P < 0.05) percentage of intramuscular fat, higher shear force and more rancidity than CM(P < 0.05 in all cases). It could be concluded that vaccination or suitable for free-range conditions in terms of product qualities. Vaccination in females did not alter carcass and meat quality, and specific interests should consider reproductive behavior in free-range conditions.
authors.affiliation: IRTA, Veïnat de Sies S/N, 17121 Monells, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinez-Macipe
authors.affiliation: IRTA, Veïnat de Sies S/N, 17121 Monells, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: CICYTEX-La Orden, 06187 Guadajira, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.affiliation: IRTA-Food Industries, Finca Camps i Armet, 17121 Monells, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gispert
authors.affiliation: UAB, Veterinary School, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Manteca
authors.affiliation: UAB, Veterinary School, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mainau
authors.affiliation: CICYTEX-La Orden, 06187 Guadajira, Spain.
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: IRTA-Food Industries, Finca Camps i Armet, 17121 Monells, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Claret
authors.affiliation: IRTA-Food Industries, Finca Camps i Armet, 17121 Monells, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: IRTA, Veïnat de Sies S/N, 17121 Monells, Spain. Electronic address: antoni.dalmau@irta.cat.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalmau
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000818:Animals; D017849:Animals, Inbred Strains; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D018857:Food Packaging; D063427:Food Quality; D061353:Food Storage; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D060434:Herbivory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D012677:Sensation; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013030:Spain; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: Castration; Consumers; Iberian pigs; Immunocastration; Meat quality; Pig welfare; Vaccination against GnRF