Intellectual Property Office

Non-Confidential Disclosures

“Genetic Inhibition of Boar Odor in Meat”

PSU Invention Disclosure No. 1751

Field of the Invention/Key Words:

Agricultural Science - Animal Science.

Inventors:

D. Greger

Background:

Upon sexual maturity a large proportion of uncastrated male pigs (boars) develop a strong characteristic odor in the meat called "boar taint". Two components of boar taint have been identified. In pubertal boars (6-7 months of age) the testicular steroid, androstenone, is thought to be primarily responsible for boar taint. The intestinal byproduct of tryptophan degradation, called skatole, is also thought to play a significant role and may be reduced by nutritional and management methods. The boar taint odor is especially noticeable upon heating and cooking of pork and is highly objectionable to consumers. The industry deals with the boar taint problem in several ways, none of which are completely satisfactory. One solution is to slaughter intact male pigs before they reach sexual maturity (before they begin to produce objectionable amounts of androstenone). While this solution solves the androstenone problem, it creates other problems as there are severe economic disadvantages to raising pigs to lower weights. Another solution, which is employed extensively in the United States, is to castrate male pigs shortly after birth. Again, this solves the boar taint problem, but creates other problems. The castration of male pigs: 1) causes less efficient feed conversion compared to intact males, 2) causes inferior carcass characteristics compared to intact males (less muscle and more fat), 3) may retard animal growth, 4) is labor intensive , 5) creates the risk of infection, and 6) is undesirable from an animal welfare point of view. The economic impact of routine castration of male pigs is substantial. In the United States alone, which accounts for approximately 10% of total world swine production, the cost of reduced feed conversion efficiency caused by castration is estimated to be in excess of $300 million annually.

Invention description:

This invention proposes a genetic solution to the boar taint problem by creating new lines of swine genetics in which boar taint is reduce or eliminated. The invention relates to the identification of genetic polymorphisms that are indicative of androstenone production. Simple procedures have been developed to screen large numbers of pigs for the presence of these polymorphisms. This concept has been reduced to practice in the laboratory and is now developed to the point where field testing may be initiated with the goal of identifying boars possessing these polymorphisms. Upon the identification of these boars it will be possible to select for and incorporate these polymorphisms into swine genetic lines. Alternatively it will also be possible to produce transgenic pigs which are deficient in androstenone production. The ability to produce taint-free boars will allow pork producers to take advantage of the improved production efficiency of raising intact male pigs to optimal weights..

Contact:

Ronald J. Huss
Director, Intellectual Property Office
Associate Vice President for Research &
Technology Transfer
Intellectual Property Office
The Pennsylvania State University
113 Technology Center
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 8653-5988
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail: rjh22@psu.edu