RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE ANDROSTENONE CO NCENTRATION IN BACKFAT OF AI BOARS AND BACKFAT ANDROSTENONE LEVELS AND PERFORMANCE TRAITS OF ENTIRE MALE PROGENY

The possibility of influencing the fat androstenone concentration of p rogeny by mating AI boars with high (H) or low (L) androstenone levels was tested in a mating experiment. Furthermore, correlated effects on fattening performance and carcass quality were investigated. A signif icant influence of the AI boar's fat androstenone level on the androst enone level of the progeny (entire males) was only found for those boa rs with extreme high or low concentrations, respectively. As possible reasons, following topics are discussed: reliability of single measure ment of the fat androstenone level of the AI boars influence of the so w's genetic construction modifying influence of the environment on the progeny's fat androstenone levels. Significant differences in fatteni ng performance and carcass quality were found between the mating varia nts (H/L). The results in meat quality traits indicate a relationship between meat quality and steroid formation potential.