Physiological responses and effects on meat quality in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) transported on lorries

Reindeer transported on lorries to the slaughterhouse showed strongly elevated plasma noradrenaline, adrenaline and Cortisol values. Plasma creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activity measurements gave no evidence of muscle damage, but by cooking ammonia-like and another taint were observed in the meat from about 25 % of the transported reindeer. A control group consisting of reindeer slaughtered from the gathering corral also showed a high prevalence of these meat taints. Plasma and meat urea values were elevated in the transported reindeer, but there was no correlation between the meat urea values and the intensities of ammonia-like taint. The character of the other observed taint was not defined.