Reduction of Testis Size in Postnatal Pigs Using a Depot Progestin

Surgical castration is a practice chosen by most swine producers because it is relatively easy to perform, inexpensive and effective in reducing boar odor in pork. It can also alleviate potential behavioral problems associated with raising intact males. The practice has come under scrutiny in the past 20 years as animal welfare concerns are being raised regarding the pain associated with surgical removal of the testes. The objective of the study was to investigate chemical castration of pigs as an alternative to the regular surgical castration procedure that has historically been used to prevent boar taint in the resultant pork products. The primary goal was to determine if a single exposure of a subcutaneous administration of a depot progestin (medroxyprogesterone acetate; Depo Provera , Pfizer Inc., New York, NY) in postnatal pigs will eliminate Leydig cell proliferation and production of high testosterone levels that can result in boar taint. [...]