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This study surveyed the on-farm dispatching methods used at pig farms, the characteristics of stockpeople operating them, in terms of training and management, and their opinions and attitudes about the efficiency and safety of the applied procedures. Independently of the pig type, the most used dispatching methods at the surveyed Brazilian farms were concussion (90%) and electrocution (5%). Both methods were reported as being efficient and safe for on-farm pig dispatching by most stockpeople (83%). However, 33% of all stockpeople reported they would prefer to use alternative methods, i.e., anesthetics (23%) or electrocution (32%). Only 7% of the stockpeople received training resulting in a more efficient application of the method (P

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The presence of lesions on the pig carcass is an indicator of poor animal welfare and has economic impact as it downgrades the carcass value. The assessment of the age of lesions on the carcass may help identify risk factors and ultimately prevent their occurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the age of lesions on pig carcasses through spectrophotometric color evaluation and to relate the results with gene expression and histological and histochemical parameters. A total of 96 barrows were mixed 4 times over 3 d before slaughter and 80 lesions were selected after skin lesion observations to define 4 age categories: < 7 h (T1), 7–25 h (T2), 25–30 h (T3), and 49–54 h (T4). A nonlesioned skin area was used as a control. At slaughter, 3 biopsies per lesion and control skin were taken immediately after bleeding for analyses of gene expression (CCL2, COX2, IL6, IL8, IL10, ITGA3, MMP1, TNFα, TIMP1, SERPINE1), skin histological characteristics (inflammation, erosion or ulceration, and necrosis), and enzyme activity (alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase). The number of lesions was counted on each carcass, and the color was assessed visually by a pictorial chart and instrumentally through a spectrophotometer. Delta values (Δ) were calculated as the difference between the value of the lesion and the value of the control for all measures, except for the histological analysis. Results indicated that visual color observation was not sufficiently accurate to discriminate lesions by time of infliction (P > 0.10), while the spectrophotometer ΔL* and Δa* values variation allowed the identification of < 7 h or > 25 h old lesions (P < 0.05). Similarly, the expression of CCL2, IL6, ITGA3, MMP1, and SERPINE1 genes was higher (P < 0.05) in < 7 h old lesions, while TIMP1 gene expression was higher (P < 0.05) in < 25 h old lesions. As for the histological analysis, the severity of inflammation was correlated with the age of the lesion (lower score in < 7 h old lesions and higher score in > 25 h old lesions; P < 0.05). To conclude, the spectrophotometric color assessment of the carcass lesions at slaughter appears to be a reliable method to discriminate between fresh and older lesions on the carcass at the abattoir.

Assessing the age of lesions on the carcass may help determine the time of their infliction and identify the causes. This study aimed at identifying which genes are the best indicators of lesion age on the pig carcass. Five identical lesions were inflicted at the same time on the shoulders of 10 pigs (100± 20 kg) using a piglet’s lower jaw. Five biopsies on each pig were performed at 1, 4, 8, 24 and 48h after injury (1 biopsy per lesion). Intact skin was the control. Local anaesthetic and analgesics were used to reduce pain. To assess the effect of slaughter and carcass treatment on gene expression, 5 of the 10 pigs were slaughtered 24h after the infliction of two lesions in the hams. Biopsies were taken before and after slaughter (BS and AS, respectively), and after carcass singeing. The qPCR method was used to quantify the expression of 98 genes involved in wound healing, using the 2^(-CT) method. Since carcass handling induced a degradation of the RNA, only samples taken before carcass dehairing were used. Genes that were not differently expressed between BS and AS were first tested on 5 pigs in all lesion age categories. Fourteen selected genes were then tested on all pigs. Statistical analyses were performed using the PROCMIXED procedure of SAS. Eight genes (CCL2, COX2, IL2, IL6, IL8, MMP1, SERPINE1, TIMP1) presented different expression patterns by the age of the lesion (P

A total of 1,728 pigs were transported to slaughter using two double-decked trucks, one featuring a hydraulic deck (HD) to load and unload the upper level and the other presenting a fixed upper deck (FD) only accessible by a ramp. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effects of the loading and unloading system of the truck on behaviour, blood parameters (cortisol, lactate and creatine kinase [CK]), skin lesions and meat quality traits. The use of HD resulted in easier and faster loading (P < 0.05 for both) compared with the FD. Blood cortisol levels were influenced by the loading/unloading system, with lower (P < 0.05) levels being found in pigs using HD transport when compared to those using FD transport. Truck type had no effect on the incidence of skin lesions and pork quality in this study (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that the use of the truck model featuring the upper hydraulic deck should be recommended to ease of handling at loading improving animal welfare and reducing the work load of handlers., El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar los efectos del sistema de carga y descarga de camiones de dos pisos en el comportamiento, parámetros fisiológicos (cortisol, lactato, creatina quinasa [CK], lesiones en la piel y la calidad de carne de los cerdos). Para ello, 1.728 cerdos fueron transportados a una planta faenadora de carnes utilizando dos camiones de dos pisos con diferentes sistemas, uno con piso hidráulico (HD) para el carga y descarga desde la planta superior, y otro con piso superior fijo (FD), accesible solo por medio de rampas de carga y descarga. El uso de HD resultó en una mayor facilidad y un menor tiempo de carga (P < 0,05 para ambos) en comparación con el FD. Los niveles de cortisol de los cerdos fueron influenciados por el sistema de carga y descarga, encontrándose los niveles más bajos (P < 0,05) en los cerdos transportados con HD en comparación con con FD. El modelo del camión no afectó la incidencia de lesiones de la piel y la calidad de la carne de los cerdos en este estudio (P > 0,05). Por tanto, se puede concluir que el uso de modelos de camiones equipados con piso hidráulico puede ser recomendado para aumentar la facilidad de manipulación de los cerdos durante la carga, y por consiguiente, reducir la mano de obra de los trabajadores y mejorar el bienestar animal.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o tempo de jejum (FT= 9, 12, 15 e 18 horas) dos suínos na granja e a condição de transporte representado pela posição do suíno na carroceria do caminhão sobre a qualidade de carne avaliada através da perda de líquido por gotejamento (DLL), pH1 mensurado aos 45 minutos após o abate e pHu mensurado 24 horas após o abate. Foram utilizadas 192 fêmeas com peso vivo médio de 133±11 kg, oriundas de duas granjas. As posições na carroceria avaliadas foram frente, meio e atrás (TCL) e piso inferior e superior (LUD). No modelo estatístico foram considerados os efeitos de bloco (BL= granja), FT, TCL e LUD e a interação (BL x FT). O FT teve influência sobre o pH1 do músculo Longissimus dorsi e sobre o pHu dos músculos Semispinalis capitis (SC), Longissimus dorsi (LD) e Semimembranosus (SM). Tempo de jejum inferior ou igual a 12 horas resultou em valores de pHu menores nos músculos LD e SM e jejum superior a 15 horas determinou maior pHu no SC. Não houve efeito (p>0,05) dos fatores de variação avaliados sobre a DLL. A TCL influenciou significativamente o pH1 dos músculos SC, LD e SM e o pHu dos músculos LD e SM. Suínos transportados no meio ou na posição posterior da carroceria não apresentaram diferença no pH1 nos músculos avaliados. Porém, suínos transportados no meio da carroceria apresentaram maior pHu no LD e SM. Conclui-se que o tempo de jejum nas granjas deve ser de 15 horas para a obtenção de maior freqüência de pHu nos músculos avaliados na faixa de pH normal (5,550.05) of the evaluated sources of variation on DLL. TCL affected pH1 of SC, LD and SM muscles, and pHu of LD and SM muscles. Pigs located in middle or rear position in the lorry had no difference in pH1 of the evaluated muscles. But pigs located in the middle position of the lorry had greater values of pHu on LD and SM. It is stated that pigs fasting time at farm need to be close to 15 hours in aim of obtain higher frequency of pHu values in the normal range (5.55