Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gender, stocking density in the transport vehicle, lairage time and season on the incidence of skin lesions on pig carcasses and PSE and DFD meat. Skin lesions on carcasses (480, in total) were assessed according to the Welfare Quality® protocol (2009). The pH and temperature measurements were performed 45 minutes after slaughter. The group of carcasses with skin lesions score 2 had significantly higher incidence of PSE and DFD meat compared to the groups of carcasses with skin lesions score 0 and 1. With regard to gender, there were no differences in meat quality parameters, as well as for the incidence of skin lesions and PSE and DFD meat. The results showed that a space allowance lower than 0.3 m2/100 kg and higher than 0.5 m2/100 kg pig had a detrimental effect to animal welfare and meat quality. Lairage time affected meat quality parameters, incidence of skin lesions score and PSE and DFD meat, where after long lairaging (> 17 h) mean pH45 and t45 values became significantly higher, as well as the incidence of skin lesions and DFD meat. After short lairaging (< 1 h) mean pH45 value became significantly lower, while mean t45 value and the incidence of PSE meat became significantly higher. A significantly higher number of skin lesions on the carcass were observed in winter compared to all other seasons. High temperatures during summer and low temperatures during winter had a negative influence on meat quality parameters and incidence of PSE and DFD meat.
Highlights
Skin lesions on pig carcasses represent a severe welfare problem and have a negative impact on pork quality and carcass grading
The group of pigs transported in low stocking density had significantly higher incidence of skin lesions compared to the groups of pigs transported at medium and high stocking density (P
The highest skin lesions score was found in the group of pigs slaughtered during winter (P
Summary
Skin lesions on pig carcasses represent a severe welfare problem and have a negative impact on pork quality and carcass grading. It has been reported that skin lesions can be a very useful predictor of pork quality [1]. Nielsen et al [2] found that the primary influence of skin lesions is on meat quality rather than animal welfare. Skin lesions reflect the quality of the animal’s physical and social environment. The number of skin lesions on the carcasses could provide a valuable database, regarding the management of the animals in the farm of origin, transport or in the lairage pens [3]. Guàrdia et al [1] reported the association between carcass skin lesions and the risk of obtaining PSE and DFD meat
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