TY - JOUR AU - Xue, JL AU - Dial, GD AU - Pettigrew, JE TI - Performance, carcass, and meat quality advantages of boars over barrows: A literature review T2 - Journal of Swine Health and Production JF - Journal of Swine Health and Production J2 - JSHAP SN - 1537-209X DP - American Association of Swine Veterinarians PB - American Association of Swine Veterinarians DA - 1997/Jan// PY - 1997 VL - 5 M1 - 1 IS - 1 M2 - 21 SP - 21-28 L2 - https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v5n1/v5n1p21.html UR - https://www.aasv.org/shap/abstracts/abstract.php?v5n1p21 L1 - https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v5n1/v5n1p21.pdf KW - swine KW - boars KW - carcass KW - meat KW - growth N2 - This paper reviews the literature comparing growth performance, carcass, and meat quality data between barrows and boars. Compared with barrows, boars have reduced feed intake, improved feed ef?ciency, less backfat, higher nitrogen retention, and leaner carcasses. Growth rate of boars will be higher than that of barrows if adequate dietary amino acids are supplied. The improved growth performance and carcass characteristics of boars are primarily due to the anabolic effects of androgens and estrogen produced in the testis. However, administering manufactured anabolic agents, androgens, and estrogens to barrows has not yet been shown to improve growth and carcass in swine. ER -