Castration of Swine Bovine occurs for management reasons (to reduce aggression, lessen unwanted mounting behaviour, and prevent unplanned pregnancies) and to decrease the probability of ‘boar taint’. Boar taint is present in some carcases due to the presence of skatole (a strong-smelling amine compound, produced  during protein decomposition in the intestine) and androstenone (a pheromone in boars) and may be perceived by some consumers as unpleasant. Un-castrated, entire male pigs are most likely to be effected by boar taint (although some female pigs are also effected) and animals reared in production systems that slaughter animals at higher weights are also more likely to experience boar taint since older animals may reach puberty before slaughter and there is some association between puberty and taint.