Advances in gonadotropin-releasing hormone immunocastration and their implications for animal welfare

Castration is an ancient method employed to regulate reproduction and enhance meat quality. Nonetheless, the conventional approach elicits welfare issues, encompassing psychological distress, infection, diseases, hemorrhagic complications, and potential fatality. Immunocastration offers an alternative to surgical castration by mitigating associated animal welfare concerns through modulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, which leads to a reduction in ethical concerns associated with surgical castration. Moreover, research demonstrates that immunocastration does not adversely affect carcass quality. Although immunocastration shows potential, its effectiveness, usefulness, and practical application in different livestock species are limited by a lack of research on the mechanisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and the resulting activation of hormonal regulation. This analysis examines the transition from surgical sterilization methods to immunocastration, synthesizing the relevant literature. A critical comparison of their respective benefits is presented, focusing on the approach that facilitates ethical livestock management, performance enhancement, and vaccination protocols, while concurrently analyzing their unique attributes. The discussion also covers the uses and benefits of immunocastration in animal husbandry, including its effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion and production, as well as its interactions with other hormones.