Changes of Androstenone Concentrations in Saliva of Boars with Age

Simple Summary Pork is one of the most consumed meats worldwide. In many countries, pork is produced only from gilts or barrows because of the presence of boar taint in boar's meat. Boar taint is an unpleasant odour, which is present in the meat and fat of boars. This odour is related to the increasing age and body weight of boars. The absence of boar taint in the final product can be achieved by castration of boars. Regarding the welfare of the animals, it would be appropriate to find a non-invasive, reliable, and working method for the determination of boar taint during the fattening of boars. Androstenone, which is one of the main compounds responsible for boar taint, can be determined from saliva. This method appears to be a hopeful way to predict individuals with a high level of this compound. Based on the current knowledge, the early slaughter of boars could be a suitable and functional step to avoid boar taint in the meat or fat, respectively. This is a pilot study that is focused on the non-invasive determination of boar taint on live animals. In the future, this method could be simplified and adjusted for use in farm conditions. With the increasing age of boars, the possibility of androstenone (5 alpha-androst-16-en-3-one (AND), 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 alpha-ol (alpha-AND), and 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3 beta-ol (beta-AND)) occurrence increases as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate concentrations of androstenone compounds in the saliva of boars concerning the age of animals. In total, 72 boars were evaluated (24 boars per replication). The effect of age (three different ages-152, 163, and 172 days) was observed, and (Landrace x Large White) x Pietrain genotypes were used. Chemical analysis of saliva samples was conducted by multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (MDGC/MS). Salivary alpha-AND increased with age (p < 0.05), and positive correlations were found between age and submaxillary salivary gland weight (p < 0.05), age, and salivary AND concentration (p < 0.05), body weight and submaxillary salivary gland weight (p < 0.05), submaxillary salivary gland weight and salivary beta-AND concentration (p < 0.05), as well as submaxillary salivary gland weight and total salivary 5 alpha-androstenone (AND total) concentration (p < 0.001). Nowadays, animal welfare is becoming a more and more discussed topic, and pig breeding is not an exception. Specifically, the castration ban is a current issue, so it is very important to know as much as possible about compounds responsible for boar taint. Androstenone's appearance in boars' saliva could be one of the most important precursors for future early detection of boar taint.

Automated summary

This study focused on finding a non-invasive method to determine boar taint in pigs by evaluating the concentration of androstenone compounds in their saliva. The results showed a correlation between the concentration of salivary androstenone and the age of the boars. This research has significant implications for preventing the occurrence of boar taint in pork.