Expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450-c17, and sulfotransferase 2B1 proteins in liver and testis of pigs of two breeds: Relationship with adipose tissue androstenone concentration1

An excessive accumulation of androstenone in pig adipose tissue is a major contributor to the phenomenon of boar taint. Androstenone deposition is dependent on the rate of androstenone biosynthesis in testis and androstenone degradation in liver. The aim of the current study was to examine the possibility of the existence of breed-specific mechanisms controlling androstenone accumulation in pig adipose tissue. The specific objective was to investigate the expression of some of the key enzymes involved in testicular and hepatic androstenone metabolism in pigs of 2 breeds by using animals with high and low androstenone concentrations within each breed. The study was conducted with Norwegian Landrace (N. Landrace) and Duroc boars. The mean androstenone values for the lowand high-androstenone groups were 0.1 ± 0.01 g/g and 7.58 ± 0.68 g/g for N. Landrace boars, and 0.22 ± 0.04 g/ g and 13.55 ± 1.14 g/g for Duroc boars. The enzymes investigated were 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), cytochrome P450-c17, and sulfotransferase 2B1 (SULT2B1). Expression of cytochrome P450-c17 in liver and testis did not differ between animals with