宰前休息方式对猪福利、血液成分及肉质的影响

选取体质量约为100 kg、氟烷基因型为NN的长×大二元杂交猪60头,随机分为3组:不休息组,休息3 h组,休息3 h+玩具组,公母各半.根据评分标准分别记录休息过程中猪的精神状况.放血时收集血样,用于分析血浆中皮质醇、促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)浓度,乳酸脱氢酶、肌酸激酶活性,乳酸、血糖浓度;添加EDTA-K<,2>抗凝剂的血样用于血细胞分析.同时在放血时,测定血温.屠宰后.测定背最长肌24 h滴水损失;背最长肌(LM)、半膜肌(SM)45 min以及24 h的pH、色值、导电率.结果表明:①休息3 h+玩具组在3个时间段的精神评分要极显著高于休息3 h组,随着时间的延长猪都表现出趋于平静的趋势;②休息3 h+玩具组和休息组3 h组在皮质醇、促肾上腺皮质激素要显著低于不休组(P<0.05),相反乳酸脱氢酶、肌酸激酶要显著高于不休息组(P<0.05),而休息3h+玩具组与休息3 h组差别不显著(P<0.05);③3个休息处理组在肉质指标上没有出现显著差别(P<0.05);④休息3 h+玩具组、休息3 h组在红细胞数(RBC)、血红蛋白含量(HGB)均要显著低于不休息组(P<0.05);休息3h+玩具组在白细胞数(WBC)上显著高于不休组(P<0.05);休息3 h组的淋巴细胞绝对值(W-SCC)显著高于不休息组(P<0.05);而休息3 h+玩具组与休息3 h组在所有的免疫指标上都没有显著差异(P>0.05).根据上述的结果显示,宰前一定要让猪有一个休息的过程,这种措施能有效缓解猪的应激,并能恢复其免疫能力;在休息的过程中,添加部分福利玩具,至少对猪的精神状态有明显的好处.     

Physiological and behavioral responses of goats to 12-hour road transportation,lairage and grazing periods,and the modulatory role of ascorbic acid

Changes in physiological and behavioral responses of goats to road transportation have been demonstrated, but effects of lairage and grazing on transported goats and the role of ascorbic acid (AA) on the effects have not been elucidated. The aims of the experiment were to investigate physiological, behavioral, lairage and grazing responses of goats transported by road and administered with AA. Experimental goats (n = 20) were administered with AA, whereas control goats (n = 20) were given sterile water before transportation by road for 12 hours. The goats were either grazed or held in lairage after the transportation. Excitability scores, grazing time, liveweight, and activities of serum enzymes were evaluated in goats that were grazed and those kept in lairage. The results obtained post-transportation showed that 12 hours of road transportation and lairage was stressful to the goats, and it decreased (P < 0.05) their excitability scores, grazing time, and liveweight. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine phosphate kinase rose after the transportation, especially in the control goats, kept in lairage. Overall, the results showed that extensively raised goats, transported for 12 hours during the hot-dry season, require a lairage period of 7-11 days for their metabolism, behavior, and liveweights to return to baseline values. Goats that were allowed to graze after transportation required 3 days to return to baseline values, but those administered with AA before transportation and grazed after transportation required only 2 days to recover. The results demonstrated that keeping goats in the lairage after transportation was not beneficial. In conclusion, AA administration ameliorated stress because of transportation by road, and post-transportation grazing facilitated the recovery of the goats from the stress.     

A comparison of the welfare and meat quality of veal calves slaughtered on the farm with those subjected to transportation and lairage

Comparisons were made of the behaviour, physiology and meat quality of 24-week-old male veal calves (mean live weight 234 kg) that were slaughtered either at the veal unit (the control group) or following 3 h transportation at space allowances of either 0.7 or 0.95 m² calf⁻¹ and 1.5 h of lairage. Compared with nontransported calves, transported calves had a greater heart rate during the journey and during lairage; greater plasma cortisol concentration immediately after the journey, but not after 1.5 h of lairage; and greater plasma creatine kinase activity immediately after the journey and after 1.5 h of lairage. The transported calves did not lie down during the journey. There was no effect of space allowance on either the heart rate or frequency of potentially traumatic events during the journey or the plasma cortisol concentration and plasma creatine kinase activity sampled after the journey. There was no effect of transport on either carcase bruising or muscle pH 24 h after slaughter. Although compared with ‘on-farm’ slaughter, the transport and handling associated with the journey to the slaughterhouse were stressful to the calves; there were no adverse effects of transport on either carcase bruising or meat quality.     

Effects of transportation during the hot season,breed and electrical stimulation on histochemical and meat quality characteristics of goat longissimus muscle

The effects of transportation and electrical stimulation (90 V) on physiological, histochemical and meat quality characteristics of two breeds of Omani goats were assessed. Twenty 1‐year‐old male goats from each breed (Batina and Dhofari) were divided into two groups: 3 h transported during the hot season (42°C day time temperature) and non‐transported. Animals were blood‐sampled before loading and prior to slaughter. Electrical stimulation was applied 20 min postmortem to 50% randomly selected carcasses of both breeds. Temperature and pH decline of the Longissimus was monitored. Ultimate pH, shear force, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index, expressed juice, cooking loss and colour were measured from samples of Longissimus dorsi muscles. Electrical stimulation and transportation had a significant effect on most biochemical and meat quality characteristics of Longissimus dorsi. The transported goats had higher plasma cortisol (P < 0.01), adrenaline, nor‐adrenaline and dopamine concentrations (P < 0.05) than non‐transported goats. Electrical stimulation resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) more rapid muscle pH fall during the first 12 h after slaughter. Muscles from electrically‐stimulated carcasses had significantly (P < 0.05) longer sarcomeres, lower shear force value, a lighter colour (higher L* value), higher expressed juice and myofibrillar fragmentation index than those from non‐stimulated ones. Meat from transported goats had significantly higher pH, expressed juice and shear force, but contained significantly lower sarcomere length and L* values than non‐transported goats. The proportion of the myosin ATPase staining did not change as a function of stimulation, transportation or breed. These results indicated that subjecting goats to transportation for 3 h under high ambient temperatures can generate major physiological and muscle metabolism responses. Electrical stimulation improved quality characteristics of meat from both groups. This indicates that electrical stimulation may reduce detrimental effects of transportation on meat quality of Omani goats.     

Effect of rearing and slaughter conditions on behaviour, physiology and meat quality of Large White and Duroc-sired pigs

The present study investigated the effect of outdoor rearing and genetic background on behaviour and meat quality traits in heavyweight pigs. Large White and Duroc-sired pigs were reared in groups of 3 castrated males and 3 females, conventionally or in fields, from April to October, in a study with two replicates. Compared to indoor pigs, outdoor pigs were more active and showed a larger range of behaviour suggesting improved welfare from a behavioural point of view. During 5 h of isolation, outdoor pigs were less active and had lower heart rates, and in another test, they reacted less to a non-familiar object (traffic cone). Pigs were slaughtered at 150 kg live weight, half of each treatment group after mixing, short transport, and overnight lairage and half immediately following short transport. Outdoor pigs were less aggressive during pre-slaughter mixing. Ante- and post-mortem glycogen content of the Longissimus lumborum (LL), Semimembranonus (SM) and Semispinalis capitis (SC) muscles depended on slaughter conditions, sire breed, rearing conditions, gender and year of experimentation, sometimes influencing ultimate pH. Effects of rearing on muscle glycogen content and post-mortem pH were stronger during the second year of rearing. Effect of slaughter conditions on glycogen content and ultimate pH depended on fighting levels during pre-slaughter mixing. Outdoor rearing increased muscle redness. Drip and cooking loss were higher in Large White than Duroc-sired pigs. Drip and cooking loss were correlated with early post-mortem and ultimate pH. Thawing loss was correlated with early post-mortem temperature and ultimate pH. Finally, reactivity to isolation had a predictive value as pigs more active during isolation had less skin damage due to fighting during pre-slaughter mixing. In conclusion, despite large effects of year of experimentation, outdoor rearing, sire breed, and slaughter conditions influenced behaviour and muscle characteristics.     

Slaughter value, meat quality, creatine kinase activity and cortisol levels in the blood serum of growing-finishing pigs slaughtered immediately after transport and after a rest period

The experimental materials comprised 44 hybrid [female (Polish Large White x Polish Landrace) x male Duroc] growing-finishing pigs. The animals were randomly divided into two groups: 24 pigs were slaughtered immediately after transport and 20 pigs were slaughtered after a 24-hour rest period in the lairage. The meat content of pork carcasses, carcass dressing percentage, the proximate chemical composition, physicochemical and sensory properties of meat and shear force values were determined. Serum creatine kinase activity and cortisol levels were determined in blood samples collected before transport and during carcass bleeding. Pigs slaughtered immediately after transport, compared with those slaughtered after a 24-hour rest period, were characterized by a higher meat content of the carcass and a higher carcass dressing percentage. Pre-slaughter handling had no effect on pork quality. The incidence of normal-quality meat, partially PSE (pale, soft, exudative) meat and PSE meat was similar in both groups. Chemical analysis showed that the content of dry matter, total protein, fat and minerals in meat was comparable in both groups. As regards the functional properties of the pork, samples from the carcasses of pigs that had rested before slaughter had a higher contribution of the red color component. Meat from pigs slaughtered immediately after transport had more desirable sensory properties. Pre-slaughter resting had a significant effect on those analyzed physiological parameters which were found to be good indicators of pre-slaughter stress. Serum creatine kinase activity and cortisol levels were higher in blood samples collected after transport (during carcass bleeding) than in samples collected before transport, pointing to a strong stress response of animals to pre-slaughter treatment. The decrease in serum cortisol levels in blood samples collected during bleeding from the carcasses of pigs slaughtered after a 24-hour rest period, compared with samples collected from animals slaughtered immediately after transport, suggests that rest before slaughter alleviated stress induced by pre-slaughter handling operations.     

Endocrine,blood metabolite,and meat quality changes in goats as influenced by short-term,preslaughter stress

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term, preslaughter stress on physiological responses and meat quality in goats of different age groups. The goats (n = 28) were classified into young (6 to 12 mo of age) and old (24 to 30 mo of age) groups, feed deprived overnight, and slaughtered at three different times (replicates). On each slaughter day, goats were either subjected to a 2-h transportation stressor (TS) or remained unstressed in holding pens (NS) before slaughter. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture from TS and NS goats at 2, 1, and 0 h before slaughter. Muscle glycogen and pH were measured on samples from longissimus muscle (LM) collected at 15 min and 24 h postmortem, and instrumental measures of meat color were obtained on the LM after a 24-h chilling period at 4 degrees C. The TS goats had higher plasma cortisol (P < 0.01) and glucose (P < 0.05) concentrations than NS goats. The rates of increase in plasma cortisol, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were greater in TS than in NS goats (stressor treatment x blood sampling time, P < 0.01). Muscle glycogen concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in NS than in TS goats and higher (P < 0.01) in old vs. young goats; however, pH measured at 15 min and 24 h postmortem was not (P > 0.05) influenced by stressor treatment. Water-holding capacity of meat was not (P > 0.05) influenced by stressor treatment. Older goats had lower (P < 0.01) L* values and greater (P < 0.01) a* and chroma values than the younger goats. The a* and chroma values of loin cuts from young goat carcasses were lower in the TS than NS treatment groups, but this effect was absent in the old goat carcasses (stressor treatment x age, P < 0.05). Cooking loss percentages and shear force values for loin chops aged for 7 d were not (P < 0.05) affected by stressor treatment; however, old goats produced tougher (P < 0.01) loin chops than young goats. These results indicate that short-term preslaughter transport can cause noticeable changes in stress responses and muscle metabolism in goats.     

Effects of transport and lairage time on some blood constituents of Friesian-cross steers in Chile

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two transport journeys (3 and 16 h) and four lairage times at the abattoir (3, 6, 12 and 24 h) on some stress indicators in steers to validate the current Chilean legislation of a minimum lairage period of 12 h for cattle arriving at abattoirs.The study was carried out twice, 80 steers in the winter and 80 in the summer of 1999. Forty steers were transported for 3 h and 40 for 16 h. At arrival in the slaughterhouse, the 40 transported steers were randomly divided in four lairage groups. Blood samples were collected before loading at arrival at the slaughterhouse and at slaughter during exsanguination.Mixed models were used to determine the associations between the stress indicators and the independent variables while correcting for the repeated observations on animals. Lairage increased plasma cortisol and PCV values independent of the transport duration. Glucose concentrations in steers transported for 16 h further increased after 3 and 6 h of lairage but decreased after 12 and 24 h of lairage. In steers transported for 3 h, glucose concentrations only increased after 24 h of lairage. After 24 h of lairage, the steers transported for 16 h had increased βHB concentrations compared with those transported for 3 h. Plasma CK activity was increased in steers after transport but was not affected by lairage. The study shows that there is no beneficial effect on the welfare of the animals by a long lairage time at the abattoir.     

Influence of lairage time on some welfare and meat quality parameters in pigs

A total of 150 Large White cross Landrace pigs (110-120 kg) of both sexes were used to investigate the effects of three different lairage times (0 h, 3 h, 9 h). Blood samples were collected at exanguination and cortisol, glucose, lactate, muscle enzymes and haematological parameters were determined. Post-mortem measurements of muscle pH were taken at 20 min, 2 h and 24 h from Longissimus thoracis and Semimembranosus. Lairage time showed a significant effect on pH24, internal muscle reflectance using the fibre optic probe (FOP24), red blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes, glucose and enzymatic activities. Changes in blood profile and meat quality parameters indicated that three hours of lairage in Spanish commercial conditions may reduce the amount of stress exhibited by pigs at slaughter and better meat quality can be obtained. No lairage or an excessively long lairage period without food may compromise animal welfare and meat quality.     

Transport versus on-farm slaughter of bison: Physiological stress,animal welfare,and avoidable trim losses

Ranched bison are typically less acclimated to handling than are domesticated livestock, suggesting that they might be more vulnerable to handling and transportation stressors. Grain-finished bison were slaughtered on-farm (n = 11), or held for 48 h, transported to a research abattoir, held in lairage for 18 h, and then slaughtered (n = 11). An additional group (n = 10) was sampled at a conventional fixed location abattoir. Measures included serum cortisol and corticosterone concentrations during on-farm handling and exsanguination, serum glucose, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and trim losses. Transport was associated with an increase in trim loss. On-farm, glucose was elevated, CPK was positively associated with handling order over 12 h, and corticosterone concentration, although lower than cortisol concentration, showed a greater response to prolonged disturbance. With appropriate on-farm handling facilities, the use of on-farm slaughter and mobile abattoir could avoid muscle damage and trim losses, and mitigate injuries sustained during handling and transport of bison.     

Negative effects of stress immediately before slaughter on pork quality are aggravated by suboptimal transport and lairage conditions

The objectives of the present experiment were 1) to study the effects of transport conditions and lairage duration on stress level, muscle glycolytic potential, and pork quality; and 2) to investigate whether the negative effects of high stress immediately preslaughter are affected by preceding handling factors (transport and lairage). In a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design, halothane-free pigs (n = 384) were assigned to either short (50 min) and smooth or long (3 h) and rough transport; long (3 h) or short (<45 min) lairage; and minimal or high preslaughter stress. Pigs were processed in eight groups (48 pigs per group) on various days at a commercial plant. Blood samples were taken at exsanguination to measure plasma cortisol and lactate concentrations. Muscle pH and temperature were measured at 30 and 40 min, respectively, and both were measured at 3 h, postmortem. A LM sample was taken 135 min postmortem to estimate glycogen content and rate of glycolysis. Pork quality attributes were assessed 23 h postmortem. Short transport increased cortisol when followed by short lairage (transport x lairage; P < 0.01). Long transport, but not lairage (P > 0.30), tended to increase (P = 0.06) muscle glycolytic potential. Long transport tended to increase (P = 0.08) electrical conductivity, and decreased a* (P < 0.01) and b* (P < 0.02) values. Decreasing lairage from 3 h to <45 min decreased (P < 0.05) the L* value, but it did not (P > 0.10) affect other pork quality traits. High stress decreased (P < 0.001) muscle glycolytic potential, and increased (P < 0.001) plasma lactate, cortisol, muscle temperature, rate of pH decline, and ultimate pH. Except for decreased (P < 0.001) b* values, pork color was not (P > 0.40) affected by high stress, but water-holding properties (measured by electrical conductivity, filter paper moisture, and drip loss) were impaired (P < 0.001) by high stress. Fiber optic-measured light scattering and Warner-Bratzler shear force were not (P > 0.12) affected by any treatment. Comparisons with the "optimal" handling (short transport, long lairage, and minimal stress) revealed that, with regard to water-holding properties, the negative effects of high stress were aggravated by suboptimal transport and lairage conditions. High stress alone increased electrical conductivity by 56%, whereas high stress in combination with short lairage led to an 88% increase. However, high preslaughter stress contributed most and was the major factor responsible for reductions in pork quality.     

Effect of lairage time,behaviour and gender on stress and meat quality parameters in pigs

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of lairage time (short vs. long), behavior (aggressive vs. non‐aggressive) and gender (gilts, barrows and boars) on stress and meat quality parameters in pigs (n = 100). In the group with short lairage, aggressive behavior of gilts and boars was observed. At exsanguination, blood samples were collected and levels of blood lactate and plasma cortisol were determined. Post mortem pH value, temperature, drip loss, sensory and instrumental color and meat quality class were determined on the muscle Longissimus dorsi. Higher blood lactate concentration (P < 0.05) and skin blemish score (P <0.001), lower temperature (P < 0.05) and drip loss (P < 0.01), as well as darker, less red and yellow meat color (P < 0.001) were found after long lairage compared to short lairage. Gilts had higher plasma cortisol concentrations than barrows (P < 0.05), while barrows had lower skin blemish scores (P < 0.05) than gilts and boars after long lairage. The highest incidence of PSE (pale, soft and exudative) meat was observed in barrows (100.00%) and boars (91.67%) after short lairage, while the lowest incidence of PSE meat was found in barrows (28.89%) after long lairage. Aggressiveness affected meat temperature, as aggressive pigs had higher meat temperature (P < 0.05) than non‐aggressive pigs.     

Effect of pre-slaughter handling on the behaviour and blood composition of beef cattle

The pre-slaughter handling, behaviour and blood composition of beef cattle at slaughter was studied in a commercial slaughterhouse. The main problems identified were the routine use of driving instruments and delays caused by stoppages in the slaughter line. The plasma concentration of cortisol at the time of slaughter was positively correlated with the time spent standing still and with the time spent in the pre-stun pen. The plasma activity of creatine kinase was positively correlated with the time spent in the race, but no correlations between creatine kinase and physical activity in the race were found. The plasma concentration of glucose was positively correlated with the time spent trotting and the number of times that struggling occurred. The proportions of cattle struggling, vocalizing and defaecating were greatest when they were confined in the race and pre-stun pen. Cattle kept overnight in the lairage had a greater concentration of free fatty acids at the time of slaughter than those slaughtered on the day of arrival. There were no other significant differences in either the blood composition or the handling and behaviour of cattle kept overnight in the lairage, compared with those slaughtered on the day of arrival. Some of the handling problems observed were caused by incorrect design of the handling facilities. There should be some means of removing cattle from a race if delays are encountered and some means of handling the cattle in the race other than by using an electrical goad. The optimal dimensions of races and passageways to prevent crowding and turning around should be assessed at the design stage. Non-slip floors are essential.     

Increasing feed withdrawal and lairage times prior to slaughter decreases the gastrointestinal tract weight but favours the growth of cecal Enterobacteriaceae in pigs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different feed withdrawal and lairage times prior to slaughter on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) weight and on the fermentation pattern and numbers of Enterobacteriaceae in the cecum of pigs. A total of 72 finishing pigs (6 pens, 12 animals each) were included in the study and were sent to the slaughterhouse on three consecutive days. On each day pigs from two pens were deprived of feed for either 2 or 12 h before leaving the farm. Pigs from each of the two pens were divided in sub-groups (4 pigs each) on the moment of loading onto the truck and followed the same distribution at the slaughterhouse. Once there, each sub-group corresponding to the same feed withdrawal time was held in different holding pens for 0, 5 or 10 h before slaughter. The weight of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) was determined and cecal content was collected to evaluate pH, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ammonia (NH₃) concentrations as well as lactobacilli and Enterobacteriaceae numbers. Total GIT weight decreased as feed withdrawal (P < 0.0001) and lairage time (P < 0.001) increased within a range between 6.69 and 4.59 kg. Cecal pH increased with feed withdrawal (P < 0.0001) and lairage time (P = 0.0001) (ranging from 5.79 to 6.79) in parallel to a decrease in the total SCFA concentration (P < 0.005) (from 211 to 100 mM). The percentages of acetic and propionic acid were not modified by the experimental treatments but significant decreases were registered in the percentage of butyric acid with the increased times of both withdrawal (P < 0.0001) and lairage (P < 0.005). The percentage of valeric and branched SCFA and also NH₃ concentration showed an increase with withdrawal (P < 0.005, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.005 respectively) and lairage (P < 0.005, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001 respectively). Lactobacilli numbers decreased as lairage time increased (from 9.97 to 8.63 log 16S rRNA gene copies/g FM; P < 0.05) and Enterobacteriaceae numbers increased with both, feed withdrawal (P < 0.05) and lairage (P < 0.05) (ranging from 8.53 to 9.95 log 16S rRNA gene copies/g FM).The previous to slaughter increase in feed withdrawal and lairage times decreased the GIT weight but involved changes in the gut microbial ecosystem caused through changes in the fermentation pattern that lead to the increase of Enterobacteriaceae numbers. This increase could represent a higher risk of carcass contamination by the enteropathogens of this group such as Salmonella. However this potential risk should be further investigated.     

Assessment and scoring of stresses imposed on goats during handling, loading, road transportation and unloading, and the effect of pretreatment with ascorbic acid

The present study evaluated, weighted and scored the stresses induced by handling, loading and unloading of 60 adult Red Sokoto goats transported by road for 12 h. The calculated behavioural scores were validated with specified objective physiological indices of stress during the post-transportation period in experimental (administered ascorbic acid (AA) per os at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight before transportation) and control (given sterile water only) goats. The behaviours of slips, falls, and jumps and time spent on each event, and the calculated behavioural points per goat during handling were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the corresponding values recorded during loading and unloading. Handling was the most stressful and displayed the poorest behavioural score compared to loading and unloading. In overall, 60% of handling and loading displayed scores of 1–2 points, while 12% displayed scores of 2.1–3 points and 28% displayed scores of > 3 points. Unloading was less stressful with 90% of the goats displaying the score of 1–2 points. The behavioural scores in experimental and control goats were not different (P > 0.05). The relationships between the behavioural scores and indices of stress were positive and very significant in the control goats, which showed that the higher and poorer the behavioural points and scores recorded during handling and loading, the higher were the values of the physiological indices of stress (rectal temperature, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and the percent liveweight loss) recorded in the post-transportation period. In AA-treated goats, the relationships were less or insignificant, and this demonstrated that AA reduced adverse effect, of the stresses imposed on the goats by the handling, loading and transportation. In conclusion, the scoring method adopted in the present study may be of value in the assessment of welfare of goats before being transported, and the risk of increase in morbidity and mortality may be reduced by adjusting transportation conditions or all together suspend the journey. If transportation is inevitable it is recommended that AA be administered to goats prior to commencement of the journey.     

Haematological, hormonal and biochemical blood parameters in lamb: Effect of age and blood sampling time

This study examined the effect of blood sampling time (farm, transport, lairage) on welfare physiological indicators in two groups of different age/weight Manchega breed lambs (suckling vs light). Blood sampling time had a different effect on both types of lamb: In light lambs, there was an increase (P < 0.001) in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin, hematocrit and urea after lairage; but adrenaline, glucose and creatinine increased after transport. In suckling lambs, there were higher values of cortisol and potassium on the farm, both glucose and sodium increased after transport while adrenaline did after lairage. In general, significant differences (P < 0.001) were found between both types of lamb in the parameters analysed. Light lambs showed higher values of RBC, haemoglobin, hematocrit, adrenaline, noradrenalin, LDH, CK, sodium and lactate than younger animals in all blood sampling times. Only after lairage were urea and leucocytes lower (P < 0.05) in suckling than in light lambs, while cortisol was higher on the farm and lower after lairage in younger animals.     

Relationships between behavioral and meat quality characteristics of pigs raised under barren and enriched housing conditions.

In this study the effects of barren vs enriched housing conditions of pigs on their behavior during the lairage period (2-h holding period before slaughter), carcass characteristics, postmortem muscle metabolism, and meat quality were studied. The barren housing system was defined by common intensive housing conditions (i.e., with slatted floors and recommended space allowances), whereas the enriched environment incorporated extra space and straw for manipulation. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured before transport and at the end of the lairage period. During the lairage period the percentage of time spent walking and fighting by the pigs was registered. Carcass characteristics such as weight, meat percentage, and backfat thickness were determined. At 5 min, 45 min, 4 h, and 24 h postmortem, pH, temperature, and lactate concentrations were determined in the longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Capillarization of the muscle, mean muscle fiber area, and color and drip loss after 2 and 5 d of storage were determined for both muscle types. Pigs from the barren environment had a significantly higher increase in cortisol from farm to slaughter, but no differences in behavior were observed during the lairage period. Carcass characteristics did not differ between pigs from barren and those from enriched housing conditions. Postmortem lactate formation was significantly lower in LL muscles of enriched pigs at 4 and 24 h postmortem. Capillary density and mean muscle fiber area did not differ between the groups of pigs. The percentage of drip loss at 2 and 5 d after storage of LL muscle samples from enriched-housed pigs was significantly lower than that of the barren-housed pigs. Similar tendencies were found for the BF muscle from pigs kept in an enriched environment, but these were not statistically significant. The housing system did not affect meat color. It is concluded that on-farm improvement of animal welfare by environmental enrichment can also lead to beneficial economic effects after slaughter by improving the water-holding capacity of pork.     

Transportation of goats: effects on physiological stress responses and live weight loss

The management of food animals prior to slaughter influences both profitability and animal well-being. This experiment was conducted as a split-unit design to determine live weight shrink and stress responses in goats due to differences in stocking density during transportation and holding. A total of 150 Spanish does were transported on two different days (replicate) and held overnight (18 h) without feed in low- (LD) or high-density (HD) groups. On each day, 75 does were transported 2.5 h with floor spaces of .18 m2 and .37 m2/animal in LD (25 does) and HD (50 does) groups, respectively. The average temperatures in the trailer during transportation were 34.6 and 35 degrees C, respectively, on d 1 and 2. All animals were blood-sampled before loading (PRELOAD) and four does from each treatment were sampled immediately after loading (POSTLOAD). Animals were blood-sampled in holding pens either at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 18 h after transportation (time) to assess the time course (n = 8 does per time per replicate) of stress responses. Individual animals were weighed just before loading onto a trailer and after overnight holding to assess shrinkage. Treatment or treatment x time did not have a significant effect on any of the dependent variables studied. There were significant effects of time (P < .01) on plasma cortisol, glucose, and urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations. Time also had significant effects (P < .01) on plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, differential leukocyte counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils), and ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (N:L). However, plasma leptin concentrations were not influenced by time. Cortisol concentrations increased at POSTLOAD sampling, peaked at 0 h, and decreased thereafter before spiking again at 18 h of holding. The PUN was higher at 18 h than at other time periods studied. Plasma glucose concentrations increased and remained at higher levels at 0, 1, and 2 h and began decreasing at 3 h, reaching PRELOAD levels at 18 h. Plasma CK kinase activity peaked at approximately 2 h after transportation. The N:L ratio was higher at all time periods after transportation than prior to starting the journey, indicating a prolonged effect of transportation stress on the immune system. The mean (+/- SE) shrinkage losses were 10.2 +/- .68 and 9.8 +/- .68 in HD and LD treatment groups, respectively. The results indicate that the stress responses of goats due to transportation begin decreasing within 3 h after transportation. However, prolonged holding periods without feed may increase stress responses and bring about metabolic changes.     

Induced expression of c-fos in the diencephalon and pituitary gland of goats following transportation

To identify regions of the caprine diencephalone and pituitary gland related to transportation stress, the expression of c-fos protein was examined immunohistochemically as an indicator of neural activation. Ten castrated Shiba goats (Capra hircus), five transported and five controls, were used. Transported goats were trucked for 1 h and killed by transcardiac perfusion 1 h after the end of transportation. Control goats were housed in single pens killed in the same manner and at the same time as the transported goats. The diencephalon and the pituitary gland were removed after perfusion and used for immunostaining. Plasma cortisol concentrations during and after transportation also were investigated. During transportation, plasma cortisol concentrations increased (P < 0.05) compared with those in the controls. In the diencephalon, c-fos immunoreactive cells were detected in the subcallosa, the lateral septal area, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), the preoptic hypothalamic area (POA), the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the supraoptic nucleus, the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus parvocellular (PVNp), the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus magnocellular (PVNm), the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, and the stria medullaris in both control and transported goats. The numbers of c-fos immunoreactive cells were increased (P < 0.05) by transportation in the PVNm, the PVNp, the BNST, the POA, the ARC, and the SCN (P < 0.10). In the anterior pituitary gland, the number of c-fos immunoreactive cells in transported goats was 4 to 30 times as much as in control goats; however, there were no differences in the intermediate and posterior lobes between control and transported goats. This study has identified regions in the caprine diencephalon and pituitary gland that show transport-induced increases in c-fos immunoreactive cells. In conclusion, the PVNm, the PVNp, the BNST, the POA, the SCN in the diencephalons, and the anterior lobe of pituitary gland may be involved in the stress responses of goats to transportation.     

Handling of slaughter cattle in pre and post transport situations including loading and unloading on journeys up to 8 hours in Germany

In a field study 63 commercial cattle transports to German slaughter plants including 580 bulls, cows and heifers were investigated to estimate the impact of pre and post transport aspects on animal welfare. Study 1 evaluated these aspects as part of a large model covering all possible influences at transport and slaughter on biochemical stress response and carcass and meat quality. Included were keeping system, behavioural and clinical observations at loading, unloading and lairage, transport time, loading density, mounting prevention, regrouping and lairage time. In study 2 more detailed questions about loading and unloading were answered by investigating the impact of facility design and handling criteria on cattle behaviour and heart rate. Cattle from tied housing show an increased stress response to all transport procedures. Many aspects of facility design and handling contribute to quality of loading. Cattle show calmer behaviour, turn, balk or fall less if they are not mixed and driven in small groups on driveways without impediments but with regular sideblock, not wider than the vehicle ramp. Vehicle ramps should have high and closed side gates, be inclined less than 20 degrees, and the step towards ramp should be less than 15 cm. Unloading is improved if performed level and to the back of the vehicle (behaviour, heart rate, cortisol, CK). Direct reloading should be avoided and mounting should be prevented during transport and lairage (CK, lactate, bruising). But mounting prevention devices may increase bruising if set too low (< 20 cm above withers). Longer lairage time is disadvantageous (CK, energy metabolism).