INFLUENCE OF STOCKING RATE AND FECES DEPOSITION IN THE PEN AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES ON SKATOLE CONCENTRATION (BOAR TAINT) IN SUBCUTANEOUS FAT

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of stocking rate (0 .6 m2 per pig or greater-than-or-equal-to 1.2 m2 per pig) and faeces p lus urine deposition on skatole concentration (boar taint) in subcutan eous fat. The study utilized pens with concrete flooring and different environmental temperatures. The experimental material consisted of 14 4 crossbred male and female pigs in each of two experiments. One exper iment was carried out in the summer (temperature greater-than-or-equal -to 22-degrees-C) and one in the winter (temperature approx. 17-degree s-C in the pig house). In both experiments, stocking rate and faeces d eposition were kept constant up to first delivery to the abattoir. The n stocking rate and faeces deposition were changed to the opposite tre atment a week before the last three of the four deliveries to the abat toir. The experiment confirmed the hypothesis that the pigs which lay in their faeces plus urine in pens with the high stocking rate for at least a week had a higher skatole level in subcutaneous fat than pigs kept clean in pens with the low stocking rate. It was feasible within a week before slaughter to increase or lower the skatole level by chan ging the treatment of the pigs. Male and female pigs showed similar di fferences. Air temperature (season) had a significant influence on ska tole level. The level was significantly higher in subcutaneous fat at high temperatures in the summer experiment compared to the winter expe riment despite the fact that the pigs with high stocking rate in the w inter experiment were as heavily fouled with faeces and urine as those in the summer experiment. Skatole concentrations in faeces of individ ual pigs were not influenced by different temperatures or treatments, and there was no significant correlation between the skatole level in faeces and in subcutaneous fat. High skatole levels in subcutaneous fa t seemed to have a genetic component. It is hypothesized that skatole from faeces plus urine (excreta) especially at temperatures of 30-degr ees-C or more may pass through the skin of the pig and/or that skatole in a gaseous form may be absorbed through the lungs.