Original Articles Open access

Determination of plasmatic cortisol for evaluation of animal welfare during slaughter

Authors

Published
29 September 2017
Section
Original Articles
DOI
10.4081/ijfs.2017.6912

Abstract

The plasmatic cortisol levels of 60 eight-month-old calves (Charolais breed) were measured as stress indicators resulting from two types of slaughter: traditional and religious rite. The plasmatic cortisol levels were evaluated during three different stages of their productive life: during growth, after transport and during slaughter. The thirty calves slaughtered after stunning showed plasmatic cortisol values of 4.85±3.2; 36.36±12.2 and 45.08±14.1 nmol/L, during growth, in the slaughterhouse stables and during exsanguination, respectively. Conversely, the average values found in the thirty calves subjected to ritual slaughter were 2.96±1.2; 31.65±25.4 and 68.70±30.6 nmol/L. The results of the study showed that animal welfare should be improved in both forms of slaughter.

Keywords

Author Biographies

  • Edmondo Ceci, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari

    Veterinary Medicine Department

  • Patrizia Marchetti, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari

    Veterinary Medicine Department

  • Roberta Barrasso, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari

    Veterinary Medicine Department

  • Giuseppina Tantillo, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari

    Veterinary Medicine Department

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