THE INFLUENCE OF WAITING-TIMES AT THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE ON BOVINE BLOOD PARAMETERS

The handling of animals before slaughter causes a stress situation which directly affects the meat quality. A rest period at the slaughterhouse before slaughter is therefore recommended. To determine the changes in cattle blood parameters produced by this stress we studied urea, calcium, total protein, sodium, potassium and haematocrite values in two groups of Holando Argentino bovines (Holstein) which had been subjected to different waiting times at the slaughterhouse. The results obtained show that the blood parameters studied alter in different ways, depending on the length of waiting time before slaughter, and changes in the electrolytes (Na/K and Ca/K) under these different conditions point to hormonal changes similar to those found in stress situations.