[Hormone concentrations in the plasma of pigs kept under various husbandry methods]

A comparison of pigs weighing 30-50 kg reared either in groups or in individual cages showed that the management system affected the concentrations of catecholamines, 11-hydroxy corticosteroids and protein-bound iodine. Pigs kept in individual cages showed high concentrations of catecholamines and iodine, and low concentrations of corticosteroids. Pigs kept in groups showed high corticosteroids and low catecholamines and protein-bound iodine. The values for hormone concentrations in caged pigs were similar to those reported for the Poland China breed, which are not very resistant to stress produced by temperature and restraint.