Animal Welfare Assessment and Meat Quality through Assessment of Stress Biomarkers in Fattening Pigs with and without Visible Damage during Slaughter.

ABSTRACT: The study aimed to investigate the physiological and meat quality differences between Non-Ambulatory, Non-Injured (NANI), and without apparent abnormalities (non-NANI) pigs in a commercial slaughterhouse setting, focusing on the impact of stress and health conditions on the overall well-being and meat quality of the animals. A total of 241 surgically castrated crossbred male pigs from Southern Brazil were analyzed, with 131 non-NANI pigs and 110 NANI pigs. Infrared orbital temperature, rectal temperature, hematological parameters, and meat quality measurements were collected. Statistical analysis included ANOVA tests and principal component analysis (PCA). NANI pigs exhibited significantly higher infrared orbital temperatures and rectal temperature (p < 0.01). Hematological analysis

SUBMITTER: Ogawa NN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10931360 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature