Effect of cardiac arrest on susceptibility to carcass bruising in sheep

Abstract

The effect of inducing a cardiac arrest at electrical stunning on the susceptibility of the carcass to bruising was evaluated in thiopentone-anaesthetised sheep. Bruising was induced with a percussion pistol and measured in terms of meat appearance and extractable haem pigment. Cardiac arrest caused a prompt and marked reduction in susceptibility to bruising, and it is concluded that stunning techniques which cause simultaneous heart failure could help to reduce the incidence of carcass bruising. Exsanguination of sheep which had a normal cardiac rhythm prevented the induction of bruising once 50% of the total blood loss had occurred.

The humane collection of fetal bovine serum and possibilities for serum-free cell and tissue culture

“…At slaughter, the neck or chest cut in the dam is designed to cause a catastrophic decrease in the supply of blood to its brain. In sheep, about 50% of all blood lost at slaughter is lost during the first 10 seconds after the cut, by which time arterial blood pressure is too low for bruise formation (Gregory and Wilkins, 1984). This indicates that utero-placental perfusion would cease near this time leading to cessation of oxygen supply to the fetus (Mellor and Gregory, 2003).…”

Studies on blood engorgement in beef carcasses

“…The weight of blood collected from the sticking wound was monitored continuously using a load cell balance. After overnight storage of the carcass at +2"C, muscle samples were taken from the bruised sites and assayed subjectively for the severity of the bruise and for total haem pigment content (Gregory and Wilkins 1984).…”

“…In sheep this kicking is greatly reduced by inducing a cardiac arrest at stunning. Inducing a cardiac arrest at stunning in sheep also has the advantage that it reduces the susceptibility of the carcass to bruising and blood splash (Kirton e f a1 198CL81; Gregory and Wilkins 1984). Since the induction of a cardiac arrest is a novel alternative to sticking in cattle, the third aim of this study was to examine the effect on the susceptibility of the beef carcass to bruising.…”