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Effects of housing and rearing on age at puberty and libido in boars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

H. R. Thomas
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
H. G. Kattesh
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
J. W. Knight
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
F. C. Gwazdauskas
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
T. N. Meacham
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
E. T. Kornegay
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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Abstract

The effects of type of housing (outdoors on earth v. confinement on concrete) and system of rearing (single v. group) on age at puberty and expression of libido in boars were examined. Boars kept on earth lots and reared in groups reached puberty earlier and demonstrated greater sexual aggressiveness compared with contemporary boars maintained under other treatment combinations. Additionally, the effect of rearing boars either in all-male groups or withprepubertal gilts was examined. Age at puberty was not affected by the presence of females, but boars reared without females attained a higher libido score.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1979

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References

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