Testicular steroidogenesis in the neonatal intact male pig and its relationship to the development of boar taint

Abstract

Intact male pigs produce significant amounts of testicular steroid hormones in the first few weeks after birth, which may influence aspects of development and the potential to produce boar taint. Results of this study showed that the developmental profile of androstenone followed a similar pattern to that of the other main androgens and estrogens. Treatment with a GnRH agonist from 1 to 4 weeks of age did not alter the plasma levels of testicular steroid hormones or androstenone concentrations in fat at 6 months of age. There were no correlations among plasma levels of testosterone, estrone sulfate and androstenone in neonatal pigs and concentrations of androstenone in fat at market weight. High concentrations of androstenone in fat were found in neonatal males between 7 and 28 days of age as well as in market weight animals that had low levels of back-fat. These findings suggest that the accumulation of androstenone in fatty tissue may depend on factors other than the balance between levels in plasma and fat.