Thailand: Chulalongkorn Researchers Develop Synthetic Boar Scent to Improve Swine Breeding Biosecurity

Researchers at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, Thailand, have developed a synthetic scent designed to mimic chemical signals from mature boars and stimulate estrus behaviour in young female pigs (gilts) without requiring direct contact with a live boar.

The team analysed secretions from mature boars using gas chromatography and identified 23 key odor compounds used to formulate the synthetic scent. In comparative testing, approximately 50% of gilts exposed to the synthetic scent showed estrus behaviour, compared with about 75% following live-boar exposure and 18% in unstimulated controls.

The technology could have particular value for swine biosecurity, because eliminating direct boar–gilt contact may reduce opportunities for disease transmission and also simplify handling. Chulalongkorn specifically highlights African swine fever (ASF) as an important disease-control concern.

The innovation remains at the prototype stage. Several commercial farms have expressed interest in testing it, while the research team is pursuing intellectual-property protection and regulatory certification in Thailand.