The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle
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 p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/8/503 |
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| author | Kate M.W. Loudon Garth Tarr David W. Pethick Ian J. Lean Rod Polkinghorne Maddison Mason Frank R. Dunshea Graham E. Gardner Peter McGilchrist |
| author_facet | Kate M.W. Loudon Garth Tarr David W. Pethick Ian J. Lean Rod Polkinghorne Maddison Mason Frank R. Dunshea Graham E. Gardner Peter McGilchrist |
| author_sort | Kate M.W. Loudon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:03:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f672fc1cc8c0495c89803820cf4a040a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:03:29Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-f672fc1cc8c0495c89803820cf4a040a2022-12-22T00:08:46ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152019-07-019850310.3390/ani9080503ani9080503The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef CattleKate M.W. Loudon0Garth Tarr1David W. Pethick2Ian J. Lean3Rod Polkinghorne4Maddison Mason5Frank R. Dunshea6Graham E. Gardner7Peter McGilchrist8School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaScibus, Camden, NSW 2570, AustraliaBirkenwood Pty. Ltd, 431 Timor Rd, Murrurundi, NSW 2338, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaFaculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaThis 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/8/503beefmeat qualityglycogenpre-slaughter stress |
| spellingShingle | Kate M.W. Loudon Garth Tarr David W. Pethick Ian J. Lean Rod Polkinghorne Maddison Mason Frank R. Dunshea Graham E. Gardner Peter McGilchrist The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle Animals beef meat quality glycogen pre-slaughter stress |
| title | The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle |
| title_full | The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle |
| title_fullStr | The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle |
| title_short | The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle |
| title_sort | use of biochemical measurements to identify pre slaughter stress in pasture finished beef cattle |
| topic | beef meat quality glycogen pre-slaughter stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/8/503 |
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