I graduated from my undergraduate program in 2022, acquiring a BSc in Animal Biology with a minor in Molecular Biology and Genetics. I was always intrigued by the intricacies surrounding the body and how these microscopic systems worked together to allow us to complete the most basic of tasks. I was able to test the waters in 2021, volunteering and subsequently completing a research project regarding an in-depth Chromosomal Analysis of Sheep with Abnormal Sexual Development with Dr. Allan King. Doing this, I was not able to develop various lab skills, but discovered a new passion for research and sought to pursue it in the future. During my final semester, I stumbled upon a course called Applied Endocrinology taught by Dr. Jim Squires and Dr. Christine Bone where the content was both challenging yet extremely fascinating. At the start of the summer, I decided to reach out inquiring about an MSc and through a summer of volunteering was able to join a team consisting of Dr. Squires, Dr. Bone, and Melissa Parent.

I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue an MSc in Animal Biosciences. My research focuses on boar taint, an off putting odor found in the meat of non-castrated male pigs, it is caused by the accumulation of skatole and androstenone in the fat tissue. Castration has shown to have the most prominent effect in reducing the risk of an animal developing boar taint, but many ethical concerns surround that option. Other welfare friendly alternatives to castration have been sought out, with various literature displaying how fermentable carbohydrates can affect the metabolization of skatole and androstenone. Although the mechanism behind this is not well understood. The leading theory is that, if enough fermentable carbohydrates are present in the diet, L-tryptophan can be incorporated into the bacterial biomass rather than be used as an energy source, therefore inhibiting skatole production. If fermentable carbohydrates are not readily available, then L-tryptophan will be broken down by proteolytic bacteria and used as an energy source, this will result in skatole being produced. Similarly, expression of specific cytochrome P450 families has been shown to differ between animals fed diets rich in fermentable carbohydrates and standard diets, suggesting that the microbial fermentation of carbohydrates produces specific gut derived metabolites that are transported to the liver to alter gene expression. My research will look at some of these metabolites, specifically short chain fatty acids and how they impact the metabolization of skatole and androstenone. The objective of this research is to find another non-invasive yet cost-efficient option for eliminating boar taint.