Comparison of Certain Haematological and Biochemical Parameters Regarding Pre-slaughter Stress in Saanen, Maltese, Gokceada and Hair Goat Kids

Abstract

In farm animals, pre-slaughter period is the most stressful stage of their lifetime. The current study was conducted to investigate comparatively the stress responses of Saanen, Maltese, Gokceada and Hair Goat kids to the stressors related with pre-slaughter management procedures. A total of 40 goat kids from 4 different breeds (11 Saanen, 11 Maltese, 9 Gokceada and 9 Hair Goat) were used in the study. Two blood samples (EDTA and heparinised) were collected from each animal at two different times (at home pen and at exsanguination). Packed cell volume (PCV) was measured in EDTA blood samples by the standard capillary microhematocrite method. Heparinised samples were used for determination of plasma glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), Cortisol and total protein concentrations. For each breed, plasma glucose and Cortisol concentrations measured at exsanguination were higher than those of determined at home pen. Breed had no significant effect on plasma glucose and Cortisol concentrations at both sampling times (P>0.05). However, Maltese kids had higher concentration of plasma LDH at exsanguination than Saanen kids (P<0.05), and they had higher plasma CK level than Gokceada, Saanen and Hair Goat kids (P<0.05). The effect of breed on PCV and total protein level was significant at both sampling times. Plasma total protein concentration measured at home pen and at exsanguination in Hair Goat kids was lower than those measured in other breeds (PO.01). It is concluded that, pre-slaughter procedures resulted in a stress response in Saanen, Maltese, Gokceada and Hair Goat kids. However, breed had no significant effect on Cortisol and glucose responses of Goat kids to the stressors related with pre-slaughter management procedures. Moreover, significant differences were observed among breeds in terms of CK and LDH levels measured at exsanguination, which is probably resulted from the difference in temperament.