[Incidence of chronic inflammations in gilts and castrated boars]

Investigations in approximately 18,000 pigs showed that the incidence of a number of forms of chronic inflammation (pericarditis, pleurisy, pneumonia, inflammation of the tails and inflammation of the feet) was significantly higher in castrated boars than it was in gilts. These differences between castrated boars and gilts is mainly attributable to the changes in hormonal pattern, which result from castration.