Relationship between the morphometric characteristics of the gonads of Mangalitsa, Moravka and Resavka

Abstract: Mangalitsa, Moravka and Resavka are animal genetic resources аnd autochthonous breeds of pigs in the Republic of Serbia. Mangalitsa is the fatty pig breed, Moravka and Resavka are breeds with combined production. This research is related to the properties of the gonads of uncastrated males. Breed as a source of variation in the morphometric properties of the left testis affects the variation of several characteristics of the left testicle (p<0.05; mass of the testes and epididymis, length, depth and circumference of testes). The regression coefficient shows that with an increase in body weight there is an increase in all properties. The breed influences the variation of some measures on the right testicle (volume and mass of testes and epididymis, length, depth and circumference of testes). Body weight shows a statistically significant influence on all properties of the right testicle. Comparing the three breeds for the morphometric properties of the left testicle, the highest value of the volume of testes was determined in the Moravka breed, which is higher than the Mangalitsa breed (p<0.05). In the Moravka breed was higher mass of testes than in the Mangalitsa breed, and it is higher in relation to the Resavka breed. The average values for all morphometric properties are higher in the Moravka breed compared to the Mangalitsa. Resavka pigs showed the highest value of epididymis volume and length without epididymis, compared to other breeds. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found for the properties of epididymis volume and testicle length by comparing Mangalitsa and Resavka. By comparing the traits between the Moravka and the Resavka, the difference in the circumference of the testes is significant (p<0.05). The morphometric properties of the right testicle, showed the highest values of all investigated measures in the Moravka pig. In relation to Mangalitsa, the highest value was found for the volume of the testicle (p<0.001). The mass of the right testicle is greater in the Moravka breed compared to the Mangalitsa and Resavka. The only difference established between Mangalitsa and Resavka was in length of testes (p<0.05). By comparing Moravka and Resavka, differences were found in a greater number of properties of the right testicle (p<0.05). Higher values of morphometric measurements on the gonads in Moravka and Resavka are expected, given that they are breeds of combined production, which have better growth, compared to the fatty breed Mangalitsa. The low value of the coefficient of determination confirmes that body weight as a source of variation explains very little of the variation in the properties of gonad masses. Immunocastration of Mangalitsa breed pigs was successfully because of regression of the testicular tissue, the cessation of aggressive behavior, and the level of androstenone and skatole below detection.