The MC4R gene affects puberty attainment in gilts but not in boars

Boars are routinely castrated to prevent boar taint. In the past, genetic selection against boar taint influenced the testicular steroid production and delayed the onset of puberty. In this study, we assessed with a 2×2 design (genotype × gender) if the MC4R gene, a gene linked to daily gain and a possible marker for boar taint, has negative effects on reproduction, behaviour and skin lesions in gilts and boars. During the entire rearing period, boars showed more aggression (P<0.001), mounting behaviour (P<0.001) and anogenital sniffing (P<0.001) compared to gilts. As a consequence, boars had more skin lesions at their anterior part (P