Effects of season and stocking density during transport on live weight and biochemical measurements of stress, dehydration and injury of rabbits at time of slaughter

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. de la Fuente ◽  
M. I. Salazar ◽  
M. Ibáñez ◽  
E. González de Chavarri

AbstractThe effects on rabbit welfare of transport in two seasons (summer and winter) and at two stocking densities (high stocking density: 12 rabbits per cage; low stocking density: 8 rabbits per cage) were studied. The loss of live weight during transport was calculated. At slaughter, blood samples were obtained and some physiological parameters related to stress were analysed: cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV), osmolarity, and albumin and globulin concentrations. In addition, liver and muscle samples were taken and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen for subsequent glycogen measurements.Season significantly affected the live-weight losses and plasma concentrations of cortisol (P < 0.01), CK, LDH, lactate (P < 0.001) and glucose (P < 0.01), as well as osmolarity (P < 0.001). Liver and muscle glycogen concentration were also affected by the season (P < 0.001). The loss of live weight was higher in rabbits transported in winter than in summer. The plasma concentrations of cortisol, lactate and glucose, CK and LDH activity, and osmolarity, as well as liver and muscle glycogen concentrations were higher in rabbits transported in summer than in winter. Stocking density had no effect on the analysed parameters. The high levels of the analysed blood parameters, which are related to stress, lead to the conclusion that the welfare of the rabbits transported in summer was more affected than those transported in winter.

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate M.W. Loudon ◽  
Garth Tarr ◽  
David W. Pethick ◽  
Ian J. Lean ◽  
Rod Polkinghorne ◽  
...  

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.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1017
Author(s):  
Thomas Müller ◽  
Lutz Lohse ◽  
Andreas Blodau ◽  
Katja Frommholz

Background: Vitamin D has a steroid- and an anabolic-resembling chemical structure. Vitamin D is essential for many processes in the human body after hydroxylation. Aims of the Study: To investigate the impact of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D plasma concentrations on the blood parameters number of erythrocytes, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume. Methods: Serial assessments were done in 290 patients with multiple sclerosis and repeated after a mean interval of 245 days. A recommendation for vitamin D supplementation was given in case of a concentration lower than 20 ng/mL combined with a prescription of a formulation containing vitamin D but not vitamin K. Results: There was a fall of vitamin D in 119 subjects and a rise in 164, while no change appeared in 7 participants. When vitamin D values went down between both assessments moments, the computed increase of mean corpuscular haemoglobin was significantly lower compared with the rise of mean corpuscular haemoglobin associated with a vitamin D elevation. When vitamin D declined, the computed fall of mean corpuscular volume fall was significantly lower compared with the decrease of mean corpuscular volume, when vitamin D rose. Positive correlations were found between differences of vitamin D and mean corpuscular haemoglobin, respectively mean corpuscular volume. Inverse relations appeared between disparities of vitamin D and erythrocytes, respectively haematocrit. Conclusions: The elevation of vitamin D plasma levels provides enhanced preconditions for a better tissue oxygenation on a cellular level.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (4) ◽  
pp. E649-E655 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jensen ◽  
R. Aslesen ◽  
J. L. Ivy ◽  
O. Brors

The effects of diet-manipulated variations in muscle glycogen concentration and epinephrine on glucose uptake were studied in epitrochlearis muscles from Wistar rats. Both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake [measured with a tracer amount of 2-[1,2-3H(N)]deoxy-D-glucose] inversely correlated with initial glycogen concentration (glycogen concentration vs. basal glucose uptake: Spearman's rho = -0.76, n = 84, P < 0.000001; glycogen concentration vs. insulin-stimulated glucose uptake: Spearman's rho = -0.67, n = 44, P < 0.00001). Two fasting-refeeding procedures were used that resulted in differences in muscle glycogen concentrations, although with similar treatment for the last 48 h before the experiment. In the rats with the lower glycogen concentration, basal as well as insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was elevated. The muscle glycogen concentration had no effect on epinephrine-stimulated glycogenolysis. Epinephrine, however, was found to reduce basal glucose uptake in all groups. These results suggest that 1) the glycogen concentration participates in the regulation of both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, 2) the magnitude of epinephrine-stimulated glycogen breakdown is independent of the glycogen concentration, and 3) epinephrine inhibits basal glucose uptake at all glycogen concentrations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Zulkifli ◽  
Y. M. Goh ◽  
B. Norbaiyah ◽  
A. Q. Sazili ◽  
M. Lotfi ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to provide a comparative analysis of the effects of penetrative stunning, non-penetrative stunning and post-slaughter stunning on biochemical parameters and electroencephalogram (EEG) associated with stress in heifers and steers. Ten animals were assigned to each of the following four treatment groups: (1) animals were subjected to conventional halal slaughter (a clean incision through the structures on the ventral neck at the approximate level of vertebrae C2–C3 – the trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries and jugular veins) and post-cut penetrating mechanical stun within 10–20 s of the halal cut (U); (2) high-power non-penetrating mechanical stunning using a mushroom-headed humane killer, followed by conventional halal slaughter (HPNP); (3) low-power non-penetrating mechanical percussive stunning using a mushroom-headed humane killer, followed by conventional halal slaughter (LPNP); and (4) penetrative stunning using a captive-bolt pistol humane killer, followed by conventional halal slaughter (P). For each animal, blood samples and electroencephalogram recordings were taken before stunning, post-stunning (if applicable) and post-slaughter, and plasma concentrations of cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), adrenaline, noradrenaline and β-endorphin were determined. Irrespective of the stunning method, except for percentage change in plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, the values of blood parameters attained before and after stunning were not significantly different. The plasma noradrenaline concentration of the HPNP animals was significantly elevated following stunning. Following slaughter, the percentage change of plasma ACTH concentration in the P animals was significantly elevated. Neither stunning method nor sampling time had a significant effect on plasma β-endorphin concentration. On the basis of the EEG results, penetrative stunning seemed to be better in maximising the possibility of post-stunning insensibility, whereas U animals appeared to demonstrate an evident increase in EEG activity which is consistent with the presence of post-slaughter noxious stimuli associated with tissue cut and injury. The U animals had consistently higher, if not the highest, RMS values than did other stunned animals. This indicates a degree of EEG changes associated with stress and pain. On the basis of EEG data, our results suggested that penetrative stunning would be the most reliable method of ensuring insensibility and minimising pain. However, at slaughter, the P animals showed a dramatic elevation in the percentage change of circulating ACTH, suggesting physiological stress response. On a cautionary note, the results are not unequivocal, and it may be that the range of analyses available to researchers at this point of time are not sufficiently specific to allow definitive conclusions to be drawn.


2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 543 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Jacob ◽  
D. W. Pethick ◽  
H. M. Chapman

The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the distribution of glycogen concentrations and ultimate pH (pHu) in 2 different muscle types for lambs slaughtered under commercial conditions in Western Australia, and to compare muscle glycogen concentrations in lambs on farm and after slaughter. The study included 13 different consignments of prime lambs from a range of commercial scenarios. In each consignment, muscle glycogen concentration was measured in a group of lambs on farm and subsequently after slaughter in 3 different lairage groups. The lairage groups were: slaughter on arrival (no lairage), slaughter after 1 day, and slaughter after 2 days in lairage. Biopsies of M. semimembranosus and the M. semitendinosus were taken from live lambs on farm just before farm curfew before transport and from carcasses immediately after slaughter. There was a significant effect of consignment on muscle glycogen concentration. Muscle glycogen concentrations on farm were lower than 1 g/100 g in 4 consignments for the M. semimembranosus and 11 consignments for the M. semitendinosus. The cause of the differences between consignments was unclear as nutrition, genotype and age class were confounded between consignments. Glycogen concentrations were lower and meat pHu higher for sucker lamb compared with carry-over lamb consignments. However, lambs finished on grain-based feedlot rations had higher muscle glycogen concentrations than lambs finished on pasture and sucker lambs when finished on pastures only. Sucker lambs were only crossbred while carry-over lambs included crossbred and Merino genotypes. When data from different consignments were pooled and the effect of consignment was considered, there were no differences between muscle glycogen concentration measured on farm and muscle glycogen concentration measured after slaughter. However, there were differences between sample times within individual consignments. Glycogen concentration at slaughter was different from glycogen concentration on farm in more consignments for M. semitendinosus than M. semimembranosus, suggesting a difference between consignments for the effect caused by stress. Typically, the M. semimembranosus glycogen concentration at slaughter was lower than on farm in consignments consisting of Merino genotypes that had high muscle glycogen concentrations on farm. In the consignments in which lairage time had an effect on muscle glycogen concentration, the differences were small. In some consignments a difference occurred between lairage times for pHu without any difference occurring for muscle glycogen concentration.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Aktaruzzaman ◽  
MS Islam ◽  
MMI Hasan ◽  
MJU Bhuiyan ◽  
MM Hossain ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin, levamisole HCl and albendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected goats of government goat development farm, Sylhet, Bangladesh. The study included 52 black Bengal breed of which 30 were naturally infected and randomly selected 20 on the basis of their weight and egg count. Twenty black Bengal goats of 12-13 month old irrespective of sex infested with gastrointestinal nematodes were selected for this experiment and randomly divided into four equal groups (group A, B, C and D) where each group consisted of 5 goats and goats of group D were kept as control group. One injectable ivermectin (200?gkg-1 body weight, S/C) preparations (Techno Drugs Ltd. Bangladesh) and two solid levamisole HCl, albendazole (7.5 mgkg-1 body weight, orally) preparations (The ACME Laboratories Ltd. and Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Bangladesh) were used for positive control of gastrointestinal nematodes as group A, B and C. Goats of group D was kept as control without giving any treatment. Before trials (day 0), total egg count, blood samples and initial body weight were recorded. During the study period the fecal and blood samples were collected directly from rectum and examined on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day using McMaster fecal egg counting method. Body weight was recorded on day 28 following the treatments. The results of the comparative efficacies of different anthelmintic of ivermectin was 86.75%, followed by levamisole HCl 85.07% and albendazole 92.81%. McMaster fecal egg counting method discloses the percentage of Haemonchus spp. (15.38%), with Trichostrongylus spp, Strongyloides spp., and Cooperia spp. also present. After treatment with ivermectin, levamisole HCl and albendazole, Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Hemoglobin (Hb) content and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were increased significantly (p<0.01 and p>0.05) in goats but Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) were decreased significantly (p<0.05 and p>0.01) in all treated goat and body weight was increased significantly (p<0.01) on day 28.International Journal of Natural Sciences (2015), 5(1) 26-34


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Muzaffer Selcuk ◽  
Vedat Cinar ◽  
Mucahit Sarikaya ◽  
Salih Oner

This study aims to observe the possible negative effects that might occur on bio-chemistry and hemogram values of tennis players during the intense competition period by comparing the blood values of pre-competition period with 10 days of intense exercise. Blood samples were obtained from tennis team players who do not have any specific health problems and who study in university and regularly exercise. Mean age of the athletes are 22,40 ± 3,20 years and mean height is 179,83 ± 7,57 cm. This study is performed with 14 volunteer tennis players. Blood samples are obtained during the first day of the intense exercise program after the exercise, last day of the exercises and also right after the exercises. As per the obtained data, descriptive statistics are run (mean and standard deviation) and in order to compare the values of before and after the 10 days of intense exercise, Wilcoxon two related sample test was used. As per the results of the blood tests from before and after the exercise period, it is seen that values such as AST, ALT, MCH, MCHC and CK showed statistical significance (P<0.05). The athletes who prepared for the competitions with these values showed positive increases in bio-chemistry and hemogram values.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 26-31
Author(s):  
E.A. Azhmuldinov ◽  
◽  
Yu.N. Chernyshenko ◽  
M.G. Titov ◽  
◽  
...  

A study was conducted of the effect of heat stress on the clinical and physiological state of male rabbits at the age of 5 months with an average live weight of 1551 g. The maximum temperature the animals were exposed to during the experiment was +42 °C. The study results showed a decrease in feed intake and an increase in water consumption, which contributed to a decrease in live weight. Hematological parameters, including hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, total plasma protein, globulins and cholesterol increased during the action of this stress factor. It was found that the effect of high ambient temperatures on rabbits negatively affected their physiological functions; the negative effect was reflected by the morphological and biochemical blood parameters.


2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Branislava Belic ◽  
Marko Cincovic ◽  
Maja Dosenovic ◽  
Dragica Stojanovic ◽  
Zorana Kovacevic

Routine analysis of blood parameters requires high precision. Therefore a significant number of methods and recommendations has been developed to ensure the obtaining of precise results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the type of anticoagulant affects the values of biochemical parameters in the blood of dairy cows in relation to the values obtained from the serum. The study was carried out on 20 healthy cows of Holstein- Friesian breed in the second month of lactation. The blood was taken by venipuncture from v.coccigea. There were used five types of vacutainers as follows: for the serum separation, with heparin, EDTA, citrate, and fluoride. Samples from each cow were taken in all five types of vacutainers respectively. There was determined the concentration of: albumin, total protein, glucose, Ca, P, BHB, NEFA, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT, AST, AP, GGT and bilirubin. The results of the analysis of samples that contained anticoagulants were compared statistically with analysis in serum that was considered to be the control one. It was also calculated the percentage of deviation in average values of concentration of metabolites obtained from samples with different anticoagulants in regard to the serum value. The results of the investigation show that anticoagulants influence the values of biochemical parameters in the blood of cows. In the samples where heparin was used as anticoagulant there was found higher albumin level (deviation 4.1%) as well as total protein (1.4%), but lower value of alkaline phosphatase activity relative to the serum (-33%). In the samples in which EDTA was used there were significantly lower levels of total protein (-5.8%), Ca (-49.6%), P (-17.7%), AP (-32%) and higher value AST (10.6%) compared to serum. In the samples where citrate or fluoride were used as anticoagulants there were found lower values of total protein, albumin, glucose (only citrate), Ca, P, BHB, NEFA, urea (only citrate), cholesterol, AP and GGT (only fluoride) and lower bilirubin when using citrate or higher when using fluoride, in comparison to the serum. Deviations of biochemical parameters measured from blood samples that were in citrate or fluoride were as follows: total protein (-5.3%, -5.2%), albumin (-7%, -5.7%), glucose (only citrate -6.2%), Ca (-55%, -82%), P (-29%, -24%), BHB (-53%, -80%), NEFA (-62.1%, -79 , 4%), urea (only citrate, -25.5%), cholesterol (-28.6%, -28.4%), AP (-38%, -32%), and GGT (only -17 fluoride, 8%) and higher bilirubin (-22.8%, 64.4%). For routine clinical biochemical analysis of blood of cows it is the most reliable to use the samples with heparin as an anticoagulant, because the use of other anticoagulants gives large variations in the values of biochemical parameters in relation to serum.


2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Chloupek ◽  
Eva Voslářová ◽  
Pavel Suchý ◽  
Iveta Bedáňová ◽  
Vladimíra Pištěková ◽  
...  

The effects of varying periods of pre-sampling handling (1.5 min, 3 min, 4.5 min, 6 min) on selected biochemical indices were monitored in a group of 8–9-month-old common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) kept at a pheasantry in Jinačovice, Czech Republic. The duration of pheasant handling (capture, restraint, and blood sampling) was positively correlated with plasma corticosterone (p < 0.001) and lactate (p < 0.05) levels. Negative correlations were found between the handling duration and glucose concentration (p < 0.01), and aspartate aminotransferase level (p < 0.05) in the blood plasma. A significant increase in corticosterone plasma concentrations and a decrease in glucose plasma concentrations were already found in blood samples taken after 3 min of capture in comparison to blood samples of pheasants taken within 1.5 min.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document