Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing boar taint, a method of screening pigs to determine those more likely to have reduced boar taint and a method for screening substances that enhance skatole metabolism or androstenone in a pig, are disclosed These methods involve the use of the nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor and farnesoid X receptor, which have been found to modulate the activity of the enzymes involved in skatole and/or androsterone metabolism

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for raising plasma levels of apolipoprotein A-I in a mammal, e.g. for treating or preventing coronary artery disease (CAD). The inventive pharmaceutical compositions comprise: (a) a negatively charged phospholipid; and (b) at least one intestinal absorption enhancer; where (a) and (b) are present in such composition in amounts that render the combination effective for raising plasma levels of apolipoprotein A-I in a mammal. Also provided are corresponding methods of medical treatment comprising administering to a mammal: (a) a negatively charged phospholipid; and (b) at least one intestinal absorption enhancer; where (a) and (b) are administered in amounts that render the combination effective for raising plasma levels of apolipoprotein A-I in said mammal.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the identification and isolation of a gene involved in the boar taint phenotype. A porcine form of a gene, designated SULT2A1, is identified. The invention additionally provides methods of inhibiting or reducing boar taint using the novel SULT2A1 gene or gene product. Methods for reducing or inhibiting boar taint and methods for screening compounds to modulate SULT2A1 are also disclosed.