Factors intrinsic to handling and transport in pre-slaughter behavioural changes in beef cattle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate handling and transport variables as potential causes of disturbed behaviour in response to seeing a person on an overhead observation platform during pre-slaughter in batches of females and castrated males composed of pure or crossed Bos Taurus animals (Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus, Hereford and Charolais) with a maximum of 37.5% Bos indicus, and maturity at slaughter varying from zero to eight teeth, coming from pasture and confined systems. For the batches of castrated males, the independent variables included the distance covered on the trip, and the handling and facilities on the farms. For the female batches, the variables were travel time and waiting time prior to unloading. For both sexes, the presence of horns in the batches and the load density were included in the regression equations. Disturbed behaviour, the result of factors related to animal handling and transportation, is detrimental to satisfactory results in production systems. It is up to the managers in the production chain to seek alternatives in order to minimise inappropriate behaviour, which is one determinant of loss. Handling and transport are determining factors in the behaviour of beef cattle during the pre-slaughter period.

Net ion fluxes and ammonia excretion during transport of Rhamdia quelen juveniles / Fluxo de íons e excreção de amônia durante o transporte juvenis de Rhamdia quelen

The objective of this study was to verify net ion fluxes and ammonia excretion in silver catfish transported in plastic bags at three different loading densities: 221, 286 and 365g L-1 for 5h. A water sample was collected at the beginning and at the end of the transport for analysis of water parameters. There was a significant positive relationship between net ion effluxes and negative relationship between ammonia excretion and loading density, demonstrated by the following equations: Na+: y-24.5-0.27x, r2=0.99, Cl-: y=40.2-0.61x, r2=0.98, K+: y=8.0-27.6x, r2=0.94; ammonia excretion: y=-11.43+0.017x, r2=0.95, where y: net ion flux (mmol kg-1 h-1) or ammonia excretion (mg kg-1 h-1) and x: loading density (g). Therefore, the increase of loading density increases net ion loss, but reduces ammonia excretion during the transport of silver catfish, indicating the possibility of ammonia accumulation.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o fluxo de íons e a excreção de amônia em jundiás transportados em sacos plásticos em três diferentes densidades de carga: 221, 286 e 365g L-1 por 5h. Uma amostra de água foi coletada no início e ao final do transporte para as análises dos parâmetros de qualidade da água. Houve uma relação positiva significativa entre o efluxo de íons e relação negativa entre excreção de amônia e densidade de carga, demonstrada pelas seguintes equações: Na+: y=-24.5-0.27x, r2=0.99, Cl-: y=40.2-0.61x, r2=0.98, K+: y=8.0-27.6x, r2=0.94; excreção de amônia: y=-11.43+0.017x, r2=0.95, em que y: fluxo de íons (mmol kg-1 h-1) ou excreção de amônia (mg kg-1 h-1) e x: densidade de carga (g). Portanto, o aumento da densidade de carga aumenta a perda de íons, mas reduz a excreção de amônia durante o transporte de jundiá, indicando possibilidade de acúmulo de amônia no corpo.(AU)

Net ion fluxes and ammonia excretion during transport of Rhamdia quelen juveniles / Fluxo de íons e excreção de amônia durante o transporte juvenis de Rhamdia quelen

The objective of this study was to verify net ion fluxes and ammonia excretion in silver catfish transported in plastic bags at three different loading densities: 221, 286 and 365g L-1 for 5h. A water sample was collected at the beginning and at the end of the transport for analysis of water parameters. There was a significant positive relationship between net ion effluxes and negative relationship between ammonia excretion and loading density, demonstrated by the following equations: Na+: y-24.5-0.27x, r2=0.99, Cl-: y=40.2-0.61x, r2=0.98, K+: y=8.0-27.6x, r2=0.94; ammonia excretion: y=-11.43+0.017x, r2=0.95, where y: net ion flux (mmol kg-1 h-1) or ammonia excretion (mg kg-1 h-1) and x: loading density (g). Therefore, the increase of loading density increases net ion loss, but reduces ammonia excretion during the transport of silver catfish, indicating the possibility of ammonia accumulation.

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o fluxo de íons e a excreção de amônia em jundiás transportados em sacos plásticos em três diferentes densidades de carga: 221, 286 e 365g L-1 por 5h. Uma amostra de água foi coletada no início e ao final do transporte para as análises dos parâmetros de qualidade da água. Houve uma relação positiva significativa entre o efluxo de íons e relação negativa entre excreção de amônia e densidade de carga, demonstrada pelas seguintes equações: Na+: y=-24.5-0.27x, r2=0.99, Cl-: y=40.2-0.61x, r2=0.98, K+: y=8.0-27.6x, r2=0.94; excreção de amônia: y=-11.43+0.017x, r2=0.95, em que y: fluxo de íons (mmol kg-1 h-1) ou excreção de amônia (mg kg-1 h-1) e x: densidade de carga (g). Portanto, o aumento da densidade de carga aumenta a perda de íons, mas reduz a excreção de amônia durante o transporte de jundiá, indicando possibilidade de acúmulo de amônia no corpo.

Aspectos relevantes del bienestar del cerdo en tránsito / Relevant aspects of swine welfare in transit

Current globalization policies demand animal welfare standards on animal transportation. In spite of international tendencies to commercialize meat cuts while decreasing live animal transit, transport is still one of the major problems in terms of animal welfare, besides carcass and meat by-products' quality. The present review analyzes, in general terms, the different definitions on animal welfare and factors affecting pig welfare in transit. Several case studies are referred to as examples, showing the animal response to stress during transport and its effects on both meat quality and the economic impact. In addition, legal requirements and Mexican regulations for pig transportation are also described. Information in regard to swine stress and welfare in transit, considers a number of factors that alter the animal metabolic homeostasis with subsequent negative effects on pork quality. It is conclude that knowledge on basic animal behavioral and physiological needs during transport, as well as a suitable training of personnel, are necessary for reducing animal welfare problems. Last but not least, some recommendations on handling practices are given in order to improve swine welfare during transit.

En el marco actual de la globalización, hablar de transporte animal conlleva realizar prácticas que mejoren el bienestar animal, aunque existe la tendencia mundial de incrementar el mercado de la carne en cortes, así como disminuir el comercio de animales vivos, el transporte constituye uno de los factores más preocupantes en términos del bienestar animal, además del impacto en la calidad de la canal y los subproductos respectivos. En la presente revisión se analizan, en términos generales, las distintas definiciones de bienestar animal, así como los factores más importantes que alteran el bienestar de los cerdos durante el transporte; se describen los requisitos legales y la normatividad mexicana para el transporte de animales, así como varios estudios de la respuesta fisiológica del animal durante condiciones adversas del transporte, se señalan, además, las repercusiones sobre la calidad de la carne y su impacto económico. La información con respecto al estrés de los cerdos y su bienestar durante el transporte, considera numerosos factores que alteran el equilibrio homeostático animal y que propician efectos negativos sobre calidad de la carne. Se concluye que tanto el conocimiento de la biología de la especie, como un entrenamiento del personal, son necesarios para disminuir los problemas de bienestar. Finalmente, se recomiendan algunas prácticas derivadas de los hallazgos presentados, con el fin de que se mejore el bienestar de los cerdos en tránsito.