Immunological castration of boars temporarily reduces testosterone concentration, testis size and function, without long term effects on libido and sperm quality

dc.contributor.authorLugar, Drew Williamen
dc.contributor.committeechairEstienne, Mark J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberRhoads, Michelleen
dc.contributor.committeememberClark-Deener, Sherrieen
dc.contributor.departmentAnimal and Poultry Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2015-01-07T09:00:52Zen
dc.date.available2015-01-07T09:00:52Zen
dc.date.issued2015-01-06en
dc.description.abstractThe objective was to determine the effects of immunocastration (Improvest) on reproductive characteristics in boars. Seventy-two boars were used in a randomized design with three treatments: single injection (SI) or double injection (DI) of Improvest, and intact controls (no Improvest; CNT) (n = 24/group). At wk 10, 15, 20, 25, and 40, blood was collected and serum harvested to evaluate testosterone concentrations via RIA. At wk 25, 18 pigs (n = 6/ group) were sacrificed and testes were removed, weighed, and measured. Libido was assessed at 32, 36, 47, 60, and 63+ wk of age (1 to 5; 1 = no libido; 5 = high libido) and semen collected beyond 60 wk of age. Testosterone concentrations were less for DI boars compared to CNT boars and SI boars at 20 and 25 wk of age (P < 0.001), but not different at 40 wk of age. All testicular measurements and weight were less for DI boars compared to SI and CNT boars (P < 0.001). There was no treatment effect on libido between 32 to 63+ wk of age. Semen volume, gel weight and total number of sperm cells were not different among treatments. Sperm concentration was greater for DI than SI (P = 0.011), and tended to be greater for DI compared to CNT (P = 0.102). Sperm motility tended to be greater for DI boars compared to CNT boars (P = 0.066). The results show that there are no permanent effects of immunocastration on reproductive characteristics in boars.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:4245en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/51172en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectImmunological castrationen
dc.subjectboaren
dc.subjectimprovesten
dc.subjectlibidoen
dc.titleImmunological castration of boars temporarily reduces testosterone concentration, testis size and function, without long term effects on libido and sperm qualityen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineAnimal and Poultry Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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