The use of biochemical measurements to identify pre-slaughter stress in pasture finished beef cattle

K.M.W. Loudon; G. Tarr; D.W. Pethick; I.J. Lean; R. Polkinghorne; M. Mason; F.R. Dunshea; G.E. Gardner; P. McGilchrist

doi:10.3390/ani9080503

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The use of biochemical measurements to identify pre-slaughter stress in pasture finished beef cattle

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The use of biochemical measurements to identify pre-slaughter stress in pasture finished beef cattle

K.M.W. Loudon, G. Tarr, D.W. Pethick, I.J. Lean, R. Polkinghorne, M. Mason, F.R. Dunshea, G.E. Gardner and P. McGilchrist

Animals, Vol.9(8), Article 503

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9080503

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Abstract

This study considered the relationship between pre-slaughter stressors and plasma biomarkers in 488 pasture-raised cattle across two experiments. The design aimed to test groups consisting of steer only, heifer only, and mixed sex cattle under direct kill versus rested (14 days in abattoir holding paddocks) protocols. In Experiment One, cattle were sourced from four farms, and transported by trucks and ships on the same day. In Experiment Two, cattle were sourced from four farms where a comparison was made between marketing via two commercial saleyards or direct farm gate consignment to abattoir. Blood samples were collected at exsanguination for subsequent analyses and relation to meat quality attributes. Muscle damage, as indicated by creatine kinase, is the biomarker most correlated to ultimate pH and muscle glycogen concentrations. A two-week rest period is effective for lowering this enzyme and improving muscle glycogen concentration. Although the cattle was subjected to a range of stress inducing treatments, we found that plasma biomarkers alone appeared insufficient for use as diagnostic stress indicators.

Details

Title: The use of biochemical measurements to identify pre-slaughter stress in pasture finished beef cattle
Authors/Creators: K.M.W. Loudon (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
G. Tarr (Author/Creator) - The University of Sydney
D.W. Pethick (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
I.J. Lean (Author/Creator) - Scibus, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
R. Polkinghorne (Author/Creator) - Birkenwood Pty. Ltd, 431 Timor Rd, Murrurundi, NSW 2338, Australia.
M. Mason (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
F.R. Dunshea (Author/Creator) - The University of Melbourne
G.E. Gardner (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
P. McGilchrist (Author/Creator) - University of New England
Publication Details: Animals, Vol.9(8), Article 503
Publisher: MDPI
Identifiers: 991005544076707891
Copyright: © 2019 by the authors
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences; 3.51.799 Farm Animal Welfare
Web Of Science research areas: Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science; Veterinary Sciences; Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science