Skatole metabolism in the pigs with reduced testicular oestrogen synthesis

The objectives of the study were to investigate the involvement of oestrogens in the regulation of skatole levels in pigs. In total, 44 intact male pigs, siblings from 10 litters, were included in the study. Pigs were orally treated weekly with either 0.1 mg letrozole/kg body weight to reduce endogenous oestrogens or the canola oil vehicle. Fat and liver samples were collected at slaughter at 16, 20 and 40 weeks of age. Skatole and androstenone levels in fat and activities of hepatic cytochrome P4501A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A19 and CYP2E1 were analysed. Letrozole treatment did not significantly change either the levels of skatole or activities of skatole-metabolising enzymes, suggesting that oestrogens are not responsible for gender-related differences in skatole concentrations in porcine tissues.