IMMUNOCASTRATION WITH VACCINATION AGAINST GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR (GnRF) ON THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF RAMS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the immunocastration using against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) with Bopriva® (Zoetis) on the performance of production variables, meat quality, docility, and scrotal circumference in young rams, from Sheep production center “Tupac Amaru”, Junin region, Perú. A total of 60 animals were divided into four treatments: T1, T2, and T3 with 0.50 mL, 0.75 mL, and 1.0 mL of doses with Bopriva®, respectively, and T4 (control - 1.0 mL of placebo (distilled water)), with fifteen animals in each. The variables were measured every 15 days for three months (September to November 2018). Datasets were assessed by one-way ANOVA and subsequent posthoc Tukey´s test to detect significant differences among treatments. The results indicated differences found between treatments with the immunocastration compared with non-castrated animals for final weight, carcass weight and performance, scrotal circumference, and docility. Growth performance and meat quality characteristics were not adversely affected by immunocastration. Likewise, immunocastration with Bopriva proved to be effective to stop scrotal development and consequently reduces the sexual and aggressive behavior of young rams. The dose of 0.5 mL seems to be adequate due showed better performance for most variables compared to other treatments