Does a non-invasive method of castration affect haemato-biochemical indices in domestic piglets?

Abstract

Castration is a common practice in pig husbandry for controlling reproduction and boar taint in meat. The study aimed to assess the haemato-biochemical variables in Ghungroo piglets after chemical castration in order to compare with surgical method. Twenty (n=20) healthy male piglets weighing average 5 kg and aged around1-2 months were selected for the study. The experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group contained five (n=5) clinically healthy piglets. It was observed that both control (surgical) and treated (chemical) group did not differ significantly in terms of packed cell volume (PCV), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total protein. However, serum cortisol in highest in T0 group when compared with experimental group. There were no differences (p<0.05) among the treatment group, although; T2 has depicted the highest values. The present study revealed that chemical castration is an alternative method to open castration, as it is painless, low-cost and effective. It also demonstrated that the chemical method causes less stressful condition than surgical technique for male piglets.