Physiological and electroencephalographic changes in goats subjected to transportation, lairage, and slaughter

Abstract

This preliminary trial investigated the effect of transportation and lairage periods on physiological parameters of goats subjected to slaughter. Nine male Boer cross goats aged 8-12 months were transported for 6 h and kept at lairage for 3, 6, or 16 h (n = 3). Blood samples were collected at pre-(pre-T) and post-transportation (post-T), and post-slaughter (post-S) for determination of hematological parameters, serum enzyme, protein, and cortisol concentrations. Electroencephalogram readings were taken at pre-T, post-T, pre-slaughter (pre-S), and post-S to determine the median frequency (F 50 ) and total power (Ptot) values. At post-T, there were manifestations of stress leukogram; increase in hematocrit, total protein, and muscle enzyme concentrations; and decrease in Ptot (p < 0.05). The high pre-T cortisol concentration suggests that the goats were already under stress before transportation. Stress leukogram became less evident after lairage, indicating that the goats had recovered from the stress of transportation. Although the Ptot increased at post-S especially following 3 h of lairage, F 50 values at post-S did not differ from pre-L, suggesting that the pre-slaughter stress may have affected the pain threshold. It is suggested that after 6 h of transportation, goats should ideally be placed in lairage for a minimum period of 3 h before slaughter.

Investigating the impact of preslaughter handling intensity on goats: a study on behavior, physiology, blood enzymes, and hormonal responses

“…The plasma ALT concentration recorded an increasing trend in goats under stressful conditions such as weaning stress ( 40 ), preslaughter transportation stress ( 41 ), and heat stress ( 42 ). Similar to the present study, increased plasma concentrations of CK in goats were observed ( 43 ) during preslaughter transportation stress and increased CK and LDH concentrations due to slaughter stress ( 44 ).…”

Electroencephalogram and Physiological Responses as Affected by Slaughter Empathy in Goats

“…In humans, a higher beta power was recorded under stressful conditions [ 42 ]. Several studies have recorded an increase in the beta waves during stress in animals such as during the transportation and slaughter of goats [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…It is a technology used to measure the electric activity of neurons in the cerebrocortical region of the brain by fixing electrodes on various positions of the brain [ 28 , 29 ]. The electric activity of neurons was used to assess pain and stress in animal welfare during the slaughter process in goats [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. However, the high cost of equipment, experimental conditions, and analysis still remain issues in its popularization.…”

Application of Electroencephalography in Preslaughter Management: A Review

“…The transportation and lairage stay have an essential effect on the various physiological parameters. Othman et al [ 127 ] studied the effect of lairage stay (3, 6, 16 h) and transportation duration (6 h) on various physiological and EEG changes during the halal slaughter of goats in Malaysia. The authors observed increased stress leukogram, hematocrit, total proteins, and muscle enzyme concentrations and a significantly decreased ( p < 0.05) Ptot value compared to their baseline counterparts.…”

“…After the lairage stay, these measurements became less significant, indicating recovery from transit stress. The authors [ 127 ] recommend a minimum 3-h lairage stay for goats transported for 6 h before slaughter.…”