Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal: Meat Science

Volume number: 190

ISSN: 0309-1740

eISSN: 1873-4138

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108829

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Adjustment of key parameters of electrical stunning of pigs is necessary to better respect animal welfare and avoid impairments of meat quality. In the present study, we analysed the effect of genetic line, stunning program and genetic line x stunning program interactions on stunning effectiveness, carcass and meat quality traits in 10,338 pigs from five different genetic lines in a German slaughterhouse using electrical stunning (two-cycle method head/heart current). Genetic line, stunning program and its interaction significantly influenced stunning effectiveness and pH in the semimembranosus muscle. Backup stunning rates ranged from 1.59 to 5.01% in the five genetic lines, and were significantly decreased (2.85%) in program 1 using a current of 1.3 to 1.35 A, 800 Hz and 1 s for the head-cycle compared to program 2 (4.73%) with 1.8 A, 100 Hz and 4.5 s. We suggest to consider genetic line x stunning program interactions when adjusting officially defined stunning parameters for head-heart electrical stunning.

Harvard Citation style: May, K., Hartmann, L., von Wenzlawowicz, M., Buehler, C. and Koenig, S. (2022) Key parameters of head-heart electrical stunning need to be adapted to improve stunning effectiveness and meat quality in pigs of different genetic lines, Meat Science, 190, Article 108829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108829

APA Citation style: May, K., Hartmann, L., von Wenzlawowicz, M., Buehler, C., & Koenig, S. (2022). Key parameters of head-heart electrical stunning need to be adapted to improve stunning effectiveness and meat quality in pigs of different genetic lines. Meat Science. 190, Article 108829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108829