INSL3 expression in Leydig cells is a biomarker for immunocastration in boars
Background: Study aimed to obtain insights into physiological responses to immunocastration in pubertal boars by evaluating effects of alternative vaccination protocols and identifying a reliable immunocastration biomarker. Objectives: It was hypothesized that the timing of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) suppression by immunocastration differentially affects reproductive function, as reflected by testicular histology and expression of selected genes related to testicular function, steroid metabolism, and Leydig cell differentiation and function. Materials and Methods: Effects of three vaccination protocols on antibody titers, testicular histomorphology, and mRNA expression in immunocastrates slaughtered 4, 8, or 12 weeks (IC-4, IC-8, and IC-12, respectively
Authors
- Volker Stefanski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8861-8582)
- Martin Škrlep (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8252-8022)
- Nina Batorek Lukač
- G. Fazarinc
- Petra Ferjan
- Milka Vrecl
- Klavdija Poklukar Žnidaršič
Institutions
- University of Hohenheim (DE)
- University of Ljubljana (SI)
- Agricultural institute of Slovenia (SI)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Repository of the University of Ljubljana (University of Ljubljana)
- Published
- 2026-02-23
- Primary Topic
- Pregnancy-related medical research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00