CONCENTRATIONS OF BOAR TAINT COMPOUNDS IN SURGICALLY CASTRATED, CRYPTORCHID AND NORMAL ENTIRE MALES AT 9 MONTHS OF AGE

摘要

Boar taint is a sensory defect of pork predominantly caused by two compounds, androstenone and skatole.1 The concentrations of both are, either directly or indirectly, related to testicular function. Castration early in life is therefore highly effective in controlling boar taint and is the method employed in most pig producing countries. Under practical conditions, however, a low incidence of boar taint may still occur in the meat of supposed castrates due to individual genetic or metabolic abnormalities or, in the case of skatole, high environmental contamination. Occasional entire male and cryptorchid pigs may also be presented for slaughter due to management error. The latter are particularly problematic as some pigs may retain their testicles throughout their productive life.