{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,15]],"date-time":"2026-09-15T19:07:21Z","timestamp":1789499241499,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,3]],"date-time":"2026-01-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767398400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,2]],"date-time":"2026-02-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769990400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":30,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004329","name":"The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["P4-0053"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["P4-0053"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004329","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004329","name":"The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["P4-0053"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["P4-0053"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004329","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004329","name":"The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["P4-0133"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["P4-0133"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004329","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004329","name":"The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["P4-0053"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["P4-0053"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004329","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"ERA NET SusAn SuSi","award":["631-10\/2015\/7; Sustainability in pork production with immunocastration"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["631-10\/2015\/7; Sustainability in pork production with immunocastration"]}]},{"name":"ERA NET SusAn SuSi","award":["631-10\/2015\/7; Sustainability in pork production with immunocastration"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["631-10\/2015\/7; Sustainability in pork production with immunocastration"]}]},{"name":"ERA NET SusAn SuSi","award":["631-10\/2015\/7; Sustainability in pork production with immunocastration"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["631-10\/2015\/7; Sustainability in pork production with immunocastration"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Vet Res"],"DOI":"10.1186\/s12917-025-05243-4","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,3]],"date-time":"2026-01-03T09:00:47Z","timestamp":1767430847000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Histology and mRNA expression of unilateral testicular atrophy in three immunocastrated boars: a case report"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"22","author":[{"given":"Petra","family":"Ferjan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gregor","family":"Fazarinc","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Martin","family":"\u0160krlep","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Milka","family":"Vrecl","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,3]]},"reference":[{"issue":"4","key":"5243_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"654","DOI":"10.1111\/bju.14174","volume":"122","author":"D Vagan\u00e9e","year":"2018","unstructured":"Vagan\u00e9e D, Daems F, Aerts W, et al. Testicular asymmetry in healthy adolescent boys. BJU Int. 2018;122(4):654\u201366. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/bju.14174.","journal-title":"BJU Int"},{"issue":"2","key":"5243_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1007\/BF03193167","volume":"54","author":"M Krasi\u0144ska","year":"2009","unstructured":"Krasi\u0144ska M, G\u017cejewski Z, Czykier E, et al. Changes of weight and size of European bison testes during postnatal development. Acta Theriol. 2009;54(2):111\u201326. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF03193167.","journal-title":"Acta Theriol"},{"issue":"3","key":"5243_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"273","DOI":"10.1262\/jrd.2012-176","volume":"59","author":"J Noguchi","year":"2013","unstructured":"Noguchi J, Nakai M, Kikuchi K, et al. Early regression of spermatogenesis in boars of an inbred Duroc strain caused by incident orchitis\/epididymo-orchitis. J Reprod Dev. 2013;59(3):273\u201381. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1262\/jrd.2012-176.","journal-title":"J Reprod Dev"},{"issue":"4","key":"5243_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"511","DOI":"10.56808\/2985-1130.2516","volume":"43","author":"K Teankum","year":"2013","unstructured":"Teankum K, Tummaruk P, Kesdangsakonwut S, et al. Testicular atrophy and its related changes in culled boars: a pathological investigation. Thai J Vet Med. 2013;43(4):511\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56808\/2985-1130.2516.","journal-title":"Thai J Vet Med"},{"issue":"6","key":"5243_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"547","DOI":"10.1111\/ahe.12307","volume":"46","author":"R Ungerfeld","year":"2017","unstructured":"Ungerfeld R, Villagr\u00e1n M, Lacuesta L, et al. Asymmetrical size and functionality of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) testes: right testis is bigger but left testis is more efficient in spermatogenesis. Anat Histol Embryol. 2017;46(6):547\u201351. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/ahe.12307.","journal-title":"Anat Histol Embryol"},{"issue":"1","key":"5243_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-2605.1998.00088.x","volume":"21","author":"Z-H Yu","year":"1998","unstructured":"Yu Z-H. Asymmetrical testicular weights in mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibia. Int J Androl. 1998;21(1):53\u20135. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1046\/j.1365-2605.1998.00088.x.","journal-title":"Int J Androl"},{"issue":"5","key":"5243_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"589","DOI":"10.1159\/000049841","volume":"40","author":"H Riedmiller","year":"2001","unstructured":"Riedmiller H, Androulakakis P, Beurton D, et al. <article-title update=\"added\">EAU Guidelines on Paediatric Urology1. Eur Urol. 2001;40(5):589\u201399. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1159\/000049841.","journal-title":"Eur Urol"},{"issue":"6","key":"5243_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1024","DOI":"10.1177\/0192623313512430","volume":"42","author":"C Thuilliez","year":"2014","unstructured":"Thuilliez C, Tortereau A, Perron-Lepage MF, et al. Spontaneous testicular tubular hypoplasia\/atrophy in the G\u00f6ttingen minipig: a retrospective study. Toxicol Pathol. 2014;42(6):1024\u201331. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0192623313512430.","journal-title":"Toxicol Pathol"},{"issue":"8","key":"5243_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1330","DOI":"10.1017\/s1751731112000146","volume":"6","author":"N Batorek","year":"2012","unstructured":"Batorek N, \u010candek-Potokar M, Bonneau M, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect of immunocastration on production performance, reproductive organs and boar taint compounds in pigs. Anim. 2012;6(8):1330\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/s1751731112000146.","journal-title":"Anim"},{"issue":"7","key":"5243_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2004.91","volume":"2","author":"M Grunn","year":"2004","unstructured":"Grunn M, Allen P, Bonneau M, et al. Opinion of the scientific panel on animal health and welfare (AHAW) on a request from the commission related to welfare aspects of the castration of piglets. EFSA J. 2004;2(7):91. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2903\/j.efsa.2004.91.","journal-title":"EFSA J"},{"key":"5243_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"182","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rvsc.2018.06.002","volume":"119","author":"B Poulsen Nautrup","year":"2018","unstructured":"Poulsen Nautrup B, Van Vlaenderen I, Aldaz A, et al. The effect of immunization against gonadotropin-releasing factor on growth performance, carcass characteristics and boar taint relevant to pig producers and the pork packing industry: a meta-analysis. Res Vet Sci. 2018;119:182\u201395. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rvsc.2018.06.002.","journal-title":"Res Vet Sci"},{"issue":"12","key":"5243_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2042","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13122042","volume":"13","author":"G Fazarinc","year":"2023","unstructured":"Fazarinc G, Batorek-Luka\u010d N, \u0160krlep M, et al. Male reproductive organ weight: criteria for detection of androstenone-positive carcasses in immunocastrated and entire male pigs. Animals. 2023;13(12):2042. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani13122042.","journal-title":"Animals"},{"issue":"1","key":"5243_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.2527\/1994.72114x","volume":"72","author":"M Bonneau","year":"1994","unstructured":"Bonneau M, Dufour R, Chouvet C, et al. The effects of immunization against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone on performance, sexual development, and levels of boar taint-related compounds in intact male pigs. J Anim Sci. 1994;72(1):14\u201320. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2527\/1994.72114x.","journal-title":"J Anim Sci"},{"issue":"1","key":"5243_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1016\/0301-6226(94)00070-N","volume":"42","author":"HB Oonk","year":"1995","unstructured":"Oonk HB, Turkstra JA, Lankhof H, et al. Testis size after immunocastration as parameter for the absence of boar taint. Livest Prod Sci. 1995;42(1):63\u201371. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/0301-6226(94)00070-N.","journal-title":"Livest Prod Sci"},{"issue":"1\u20132","key":"5243_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2011.06.006","volume":"127","author":"S Einarsson","year":"2011","unstructured":"Einarsson S, Brunius C, Wallgren M, et al. Effects of early vaccination with Improvac(\u00ae) on the development and function of reproductive organs of male pigs. Anim Reprod Sci. 2011;127(1\u20132):50\u20135. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2011.06.006.","journal-title":"Anim Reprod Sci"},{"issue":"11","key":"5243_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"599","DOI":"10.1024\/0036-7281.148.11.599","volume":"148","author":"M Hilbe","year":"2006","unstructured":"Hilbe M, Jaros P, Ehrensperger F, et al. Histomorphological and immunohistochemical findings in testes, bulbourethral glands and brain of immunologically castrated male piglets. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2006;148(11):599\u2013608. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1024\/0036-7281.148.11.599.","journal-title":"Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd"},{"key":"5243_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2020.106599","volume":"221","author":"O Mitjana","year":"2020","unstructured":"Mitjana O, Bonastre C, Tejedor MT, et al. Immuno-castration of female and male pigs with anti-gonadotrophin releasing hormone vaccine: morphometric, histopathological and functional studies of the reproductive system. Anim Reprod Sci. 2020;221:106599. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2020.106599.","journal-title":"Anim Reprod Sci"},{"key":"5243_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.15421\/022104","author":"VV Samoil\u0456uk","year":"2021","unstructured":"Samoil\u0456uk VV, Koziy MS, Bilyi DD, et al. Effect of immunological castration of male pigs on morphological and functional condition of the testicles. Regul Mech Biosyst. 2021. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15421\/022104.","journal-title":"Regul Mech Biosyst"},{"issue":"6","key":"5243_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1217","DOI":"10.1111\/andr.13219","volume":"10","author":"N Batorek-Luka\u010d","year":"2022","unstructured":"Batorek-Luka\u010d N, Kress K, \u010candek-Potokar M, et al. Immunocastration in adult boars as a model for late-onset hypogonadism. Andrology. 2022;10(6):1217\u201332. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/andr.13219.","journal-title":"Andrology"},{"issue":"11","key":"5243_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms23116120","volume":"23","author":"P Pawlicki","year":"2022","unstructured":"Pawlicki P, Galuszka A, Pardyak L, et al. Leydig cells in immunocastrated Polish Landrace pig testis: differentiation status and steroid enzyme expression status. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(11):6120. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijms23116120.","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"issue":"35","key":"5243_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4571","DOI":"10.1016\/j.vaccine.2008.05.085","volume":"26","author":"R Claus","year":"2008","unstructured":"Claus R, Rottner S, Rueckert C. Individual return to Leydig cell function after GnRH-immunization of boars. Vaccine. 2008;26(35):4571\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.vaccine.2008.05.085.","journal-title":"Vaccine"},{"key":"5243_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Batorek-Luka\u010d N, \u0160krlep M, Poklukar K, Ferjan P, Stefanski V, Fazarinc G, Vrecl M. INSL3 expression in Leydig cells is a biomarker for immunocastration in boars: transcriptional evidence. Andrology. 2025. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/andr.70136 . Online ahead of print.","DOI":"10.1111\/andr.70136"},{"key":"5243_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/life12020189","author":"RE Sziva","year":"2022","unstructured":"Sziva RE, \u00c1cs J, T\u0151k\u00e9s AM, et al. Accurate quantitative histomorphometric-mathematical image analysis methodology of rodent testicular tissue and its possible future research perspectives in andrology and reproductive medicine. Life. 2022. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/life12020189.","journal-title":"Life"},{"issue":"6 Suppl","key":"5243_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"40S","DOI":"10.1177\/0192623312454337","volume":"40","author":"D Creasy","year":"2012","unstructured":"Creasy D, Bube A, Rijk Ed, et al. Proliferative and nonproliferative lesions of the rat and mouse male reproductive system. Toxicol Pathol. 2012;40(6 Suppl):40S-121S. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0192623312454337.","journal-title":"Toxicol Pathol"},{"issue":"2","key":"5243_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e979114","DOI":"10.4161\/21565562.2014.979114","volume":"4","author":"W De Grava Kempinas","year":"2014","unstructured":"De Grava Kempinas W, Klinefelter GR. Interpreting histopathology in the epididymis. Spermatogenesis. 2014;4(2):e979114. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4161\/21565562.2014.979114.","journal-title":"Spermatogenesis"},{"key":"5243_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2199-8-67","volume":"8","author":"A-B Nygard","year":"2007","unstructured":"Nygard A-B, J\u00f8rgensen C, Fredholm M. Selection of reference genes for gene expression studies in pig tissues using SYBR green qPCR. BMC Mol Biol. 2007;8:67. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1471-2199-8-67.","journal-title":"BMC Mol Biol"},{"issue":"4","key":"5243_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"429","DOI":"10.3109\/10253890.2012.761195","volume":"16","author":"ME Pallar\u00e9s","year":"2013","unstructured":"Pallar\u00e9s ME, Adrover E, Baier CJ, et al. Prenatal maternal restraint stress exposure alters the reproductive hormone profile and testis development of the rat male offspring. Stress. 2013;16(4):429\u201340. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3109\/10253890.2012.761195.","journal-title":"Stress"},{"issue":"4","key":"5243_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"402","DOI":"10.1006\/meth.2001.1262","volume":"25","author":"KJ Livak","year":"2001","unstructured":"Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD. Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(-Delta delta C(T)) method. Methods. 2001;25(4):402\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1006\/meth.2001.1262.","journal-title":"Methods"},{"key":"5243_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fcell.2021.695546","author":"P Sararols","year":"2021","unstructured":"Sararols P, St\u00e9vant I, Neirijnck Y, et al. Specific transcriptomic signatures and dual regulation of steroidogenesis between fetal and adult mouse Leydig cells. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fcell.2021.695546.","journal-title":"Front Cell Dev Biol"},{"issue":"1","key":"5243_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s40104-017-0179-z","volume":"8","author":"D Knecht","year":"2017","unstructured":"Knecht D, Jankowska-M\u0105kosa A, Duzi\u0144ski K. Analysis of the lifetime and culling reasons for AI boars. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2017;8(1):49. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40104-017-0179-z.","journal-title":"J Anim Sci Biotechnol"},{"issue":"11","key":"5243_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1016","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jgg.2022.03.014","volume":"49","author":"L Zhang","year":"2022","unstructured":"Zhang L, Guo M, Liu Z, et al. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of testicular somatic cell development in pigs. J Genet Genomics. 2022;49(11):1016\u201328. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jgg.2022.03.014.","journal-title":"J Genet Genomics"},{"key":"5243_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2022.1086276","volume":"13","author":"I Bhattacharya","year":"2022","unstructured":"Bhattacharya I, Dey S. Emerging concepts on Leydig cell development in fetal and adult testis. Front Endocrinol. 2022;13:1086276. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fendo.2022.1086276.","journal-title":"Front Endocrinol"},{"issue":"2","key":"5243_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1095\/biolreprod.115.128082","volume":"93","author":"AT Desaulniers","year":"2015","unstructured":"Desaulniers AT, Cederberg RA, Mills GA, et al. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GNRH2 and its receptor within porcine testes. Biol Reprod. 2015;93(2):45. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1095\/biolreprod.115.128082.","journal-title":"Biol Reprod"},{"issue":"4","key":"5243_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"567","DOI":"10.1007\/s11248-017-0023-4","volume":"26","author":"AT Desaulniers","year":"2017","unstructured":"Desaulniers AT, Cederberg RA, Mills GA, et al. Production of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 receptor knockdown (GNRHR2 KD) swine line. Transgenic Res. 2017;26(4):567\u201375. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11248-017-0023-4.","journal-title":"Transgenic Res"},{"issue":"7","key":"5243_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"469","DOI":"10.1002\/mrd.23662","volume":"90","author":"BR White","year":"2023","unstructured":"White BR, Cederberg RA, Elsken DH, et al. Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II and its receptor in swine reproduction. Mol Reprod Dev. 2023;90(7):469\u201379. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/mrd.23662.","journal-title":"Mol Reprod Dev"},{"issue":"2","key":"5243_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e979103","DOI":"10.4161\/21565562.2014.979103","volume":"4","author":"RA Hess","year":"2014","unstructured":"Hess RA. Disruption of estrogen receptor signaling and similar pathways in the efferent ductules and initial segment of the epididymis. Spermatogenesis. 2014;4(2):e979103. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4161\/21565562.2014.979103.","journal-title":"Spermatogenesis"},{"issue":"1","key":"5243_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1080\/019262301301418856","volume":"29","author":"GL Foley","year":"2001","unstructured":"Foley GL. Overview of male reproductive pathology. Toxicol Pathol. 2001;29(1):49\u201363. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/019262301301418856.","journal-title":"Toxicol Pathol"},{"key":"5243_CR38","unstructured":"Union CE. Directive 2010\/63\/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. European Parliament; 2010. pp. 33\u201379."}],"container-title":["BMC Veterinary Research"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05243-4","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05243-4.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05243-4.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,2]],"date-time":"2026-02-02T14:28:31Z","timestamp":1770042511000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05243-4"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,3]]},"references-count":38,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["5243"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05243-4","relation":{},"ISSN":["1746-6148"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1746-6148","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,3]]},"assertion":[{"value":"23 September 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"15 December 2025","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"3 January 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors confirm that the study was conducted in accordance with all relevant institutional and EU regulations. Immunocastration with Improvac\n                      \u00ae\n                      (Zoetis), a licensed veterinary medicinal product approved for use in pigs, is considered a standard husbandry practice rather than a scientific procedure and therefore does not require ethical approval. All tissue samples were collected post-mortem after slaughter, ensuring that no animals were euthanized or subjected to additional procedures for research purposes. Thus, according to Directive 2010\/63\/EU [\n                      \n                      ] and the decision of the Ethical Committee of the Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana (decision No. 5-4-2018\/5), the study was not subject to ethical protocols. The Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, is registered with the Veterinary Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (official registration no. SI-B-07-22-07) and the use of animal by-products for research purposes is authorized (permit no. U34453-1\/2024\/5).","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"67"}}