Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of transport time up to 12 h on welfare of bulls and cows. Cattle transport vehicle was used for the experiment. Sensors to measure temperature, relative humidity and video camera to monitor behaviour were mounted in observation pen. Eighteen measurements were performed during summer and winter for 4, 8, and 12 h transport time with three replications. To determine cortisol, glucose, lactate, and creatine kinase concentrations, blood samples were collected before and after transport from 80 bulls, 82 cows and 20 control animals. Cortisol concentration was generally inversely proportional to transport time (P < 0.001). Glucose concentration for cows was the highest at 12 h and the lowest at 8 h and for bulls it increased with transport time (P < 0.002). Lactate level generally correlated with transport time (P < 0.001), but for bulls the highest and the lowest were at 8 and 4 h in winter. Creatine kinase concentration positively correlated with transport time for bulls and cows but at different rates. Loss of balance and swaying strongly correlated with transport time (P < 0.002). Based on behaviour, stress hormones and pH values, an increase from 4 to 8 h had a higher effect than from 8 to 12 h transport time on welfare and subsequent meat quality.
Highlights
Transport of animals has been increasing steadily in recent decades both on national and international level and it may continue increasing as a result of structural adjustment, specialisation of production systems, internationalisation and globalisation of marketing systems [1]
The continuous increase in creatine kinase activity with an increase in transport time noted in this study indicates increasing muscular fatigue, which could be attributed to swaying, restlessness and loss of balance behaviours of animals during transport
The welfare of animals can be affected as a result of transport and poor welfare in animals is caused by the stressful conditions which they encounter during transport processes
Summary
Transport of animals has been increasing steadily in recent decades both on national and international level and it may continue increasing as a result of structural adjustment, specialisation of production systems, internationalisation and globalisation of marketing systems [1]. As a consequence, both transport time and distance. Animals are subjected to a variety of potential stressors such as heat, cold, poor air quality, vibration and noise Many of these factors compromise the welfare and health of the animals and reduce meat quality and may even cause death [3]. It was found that 85% of animals had creatine kinase values above the reference range (48 - 121 μmol∙L−1) after transport [6]
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