Simple SummaryThe effect of different group sizes of pigs (3, 5, and 10 pigs) during handling on physiological parameters, carcasses, and pork quality traits at the farm and slaughterhouse were evaluated in 360 pigs. Ease of handling decreased as the group size increased. Moving pigs in smaller groups improve animal welfare parameters and carcass quality. However, meat quality classifications of the carcasses were not affected by the groups size used in preslaughter handling. Based on the results, moving groups of five pigs seems to be the best strategy to improve animal welfare and carcass quality.AbstractThe effect of different group sizes of pigs (3, 5, and 10 pigs) during handling on physiological parameters, carcasses, and pork quality traits at the farm and slaughterhouse were evaluated in 360 pigs from five farms (four repetitions or group/treatment/farms). Data was analyzed as a factorial of 3 × 5 (3 treatments × 5 farms) to check effects of treatments by analysis of variance in ANOVA. Ease of handling decreased as the group size increased. However, time taken in handling was not influenced by the group size (p > 0.10). Moving pigs in groups of five animals reduced effects on blood cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Fighting and handling lesions in the carcasses increased for bigger handling groups (p < 0.05). Pigs handled in groups of three and ten animals had a higher pHu and initial temperature in Longissimus thoracis and Semimembranosus (p < 0.05) and lower drip loss in Semimembranosus (p < 0.05). However, meat quality classifications of the carcasses were not affected by treatments. Based on the results, moving groups of five pigs seems to be the best strategy to improve animal welfare, carcasses and pork quality.
The occurrence of mycotoxins has become a problem to be discussed, due to its harmfulness to humans and animal's health, and may be an obstacle to the poultry economy. Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by certain species of fungi and may contaminate food. Aflatoxins are mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, and B1, B2, G1 and G2 are its best known types. Fumonisin, with its B1, B2 or B3 types, are produced by Fusarium, while ochratoxin A is produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus. The main trichothecenes mycotoxins are T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol and diacetoxyscirpenol. Zearalenone, produced by different species of Fusarium fungi affects chickens only when they are exposed to extremely high levels of contamination. Generally, immunosuppression, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity as a decrease in performance and production gains are the most observed effects. There are several laboratory methods that can be used for the determination of mycotoxins. In order to control the contamination, it is necessary to adopt proper farming practices which prevent fungi growth. Once grains and feed are contaminated, biological, physical and/or chemical decontamination methods may be employed, although the physical process with adsorbents mixed to the feed is more widely used. Due to the importance of mycotoxins to poultry production, it is necessary to adopt measures to prevent contamination, and also develop a control and an anti-fungal growth and toxin production program by reviewing the critical points favorable to the emergence of toxin-producing fungi. KEYWORDS: aflatoxin, fumonisins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone. RESUMOA ocorrência de micotoxinas tornou-se um problema a ser discutido, pois representa riscos à saúde dos animais e humanos, podendo constituir um obstáculo à economia avícola. Micotoxinas são metabólitos tóxicos produzidos por algumas espécies de fungose podem contaminar os alimentos. Aflatoxinas são majoritariamente produzidas por Aspergillus flavus e Aspergillus parasiticus, sendo B1, B2, G1 e G2 os tipos mais conhecidos. Fumonisinas são do tipo B1, B2 e B3, e produzidas pelo gênero Fusarium, enquanto a ocratoxina A é produzida por fungos da espécie Penicillium e Aspergillus. As principais micotoxinas dos tricotecenos são toxina T-2, deoxynivalenol e diacetoxyscirpenol. A zearalenona, produzida por diferentes espécies de fungos do gênero Fusarium, afeta os frangos apenas quando estes são expostos a níveis extremamente altos de contaminação. De modo geral, são observados efeitos imunossupressores, hepatotóxicos e nefrotóxicos, com queda no desempenho e nos ganhos de produção. Vários são os métodos laboratoriais que podem ser utilizados para a determinação de micotoxinas. Para o controle da contaminação, é necessário adoção de práticas agrícolas correta, com vistas à prevenção do crescimento de fungos. Após a contaminação de grãos e rações, métodos de descontaminação, biológicos, físicos e/ou químicos podem ser empregados, embora o processo físico com adsor...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.