Correlation between some serum parameters, preslaughter stress and occurrence of PSE meat in pigs
Szilágyi, M.; Takács, I.; Kovács, A.B.; Takács, J.
Acta Veterinaria Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 29(2): 165-172
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-7205 PMID: 7342745 Document Number: 171847
Pre-transportation and at-slaughter blood samples were taken from 63 (200-210 day old) Hungarian Large White .times. English Landrace .times. Swedish Landrace pigs weighing 105 kg and slaughtered either immediately after their arrival at the abattoir or after a days rest period. In the serum samples the CPK were found in the meat of 28% and 56%, respectively, of the pigs in this group. The CPK activity in the at-slaughter blood samples of the animals kept in confinement but slaughtered after a days rest period (group 2, 22 pigs) was nearly as high (506 U/l) as that in group 1, but the LDH activity was lower (486 U/l). Some laboratory parameters (pH, color) characterizing meat quality indicated in some of the animals slight signs of PSE meat. In Groups 1 and 2, especially high CPK and LDH values were found in the blood of animals having unfavorable meat quality parameters. CPK and LDH activities of pigs that were regularly exercised and slaughtered after a days rest period (Group 3, 16 pigs) were substantially lower (297 and 192 U/l) than that in the previous groups. Pigs in Groups 2 and 3 were calm before slaughter and there was no significant difference in meat quality between these 2 groups. Figures indicating PSE meat were not found in Group 3. There were no appreciable group differences in AST, ALT and AP and Pi at slaughter.