Sex and breed affect plasma glucose, lactate, cortisol, meat quality but not muscle glycolytic potential of Dorper and Merino lambs
T. Stempa A , V. Muchenje A C , A. M. Abrahams B and G. Bradley B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
B Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
C Corresponding author. Email: vmuchenje@ufh.ac.za
Animal Production Science 58(5) 958-964 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN16522
Submitted: 15 December 2015 Accepted: 28 October 2016 Published: 21 December 2016
Abstract
Response to pre-slaughter stress differs depending on animal-related factors such as sex and breed. The present study investigated breed and sex effects on plasma stress indicators, muscle glycolytic potential and the quality of meat from 8-month-old lambs of Dorper (n = 52) and Merino (n = 48) breeds. Blood samples were collected at exsanguination for the measurement of glucose, lactate and cortisol levels. Representative meat samples were collected from the Muscularis longissimus thoracis et lumborum for the measurement of glycogen, lactate, glycolytic potential levels, pH and colour coordinates. Results showed that the ewes had higher levels of plasma lactate, cortisol and meat pH than the rams, meaning that the ewes perceived the slaughter process to be more stressful compared with the rams. The Dorper also had higher levels of plasma lactate and lower meat lightness compared with the Merino breed. Significant sex and breed interactions on the meat pH45 min and colour coordinates were observed. Significant correlations were found among plasma cortisol, pH and colour. The results indicate that ewes and Dorper were more stressed than the rams and Merino breed respectively. In this study it can be concluded that the ewes and Dorper breed perceived the slaughter process to be more stressful compared with the rams and Merino breed.
Additional keywords: glycolysis, muscle metabolites, mutton, post-mortem.
References
Barham D, Trinder P (1972) An improved colour reagent for the determination of blood glucose by the oxidise system. Analyst 97, 142–145.| An improved colour reagent for the determination of blood glucose by the oxidise system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE38XhtlOks7Y%3D&md5=b712563074b06637a055f2b8860cb43cCAS |
Canny BJ, O’Farrell KA, Clarke IJ, Tilbrook AJ (1999) The influence of sex and gonadectomy of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal-axis of the sheep. The Journal of Endocrinology 162, 215–225.
| The influence of sex and gonadectomy of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal-axis of the sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXlt1OlsbY%3D&md5=3a9c2884cb83abd3464d9be0a148f641CAS |
Chan TM, Exton JH (1976) A rapid method for the determination of glycogen content and radioactivity in small quantities of tissue or isolated hepatocytes. Analytical Biochemistry 71, 96–105.
| A rapid method for the determination of glycogen content and radioactivity in small quantities of tissue or isolated hepatocytes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE28XhsVOiu74%3D&md5=1a3cb5866fd9ed54da7ab30f658ed1c7CAS |
Cloete JJE, Cloete SWP, Scholtz AJ, Hoffman LC (2013) Behaviour response of Namaqua Afrikaner, Dorper and South African Mutton Merino lambs towards humans. South African Journal of Animal Science 43, S116–S120.
Commission International De L’ Éclairage (CIE) (1976) ‘Colorimetry.’ 2nd edn. (CIE: Vienna, Switzerland)
Daly BL, Gardner GE, Ferguson DM, Thompson JM (2006) The effect of time off feed prior to slaughter on muscle glycogen metabolism and rate of pH decline in three different muscles of stimulated and non-stimulated sheep carcasses. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57, 1229–1235.
| The effect of time off feed prior to slaughter on muscle glycogen metabolism and rate of pH decline in three different muscles of stimulated and non-stimulated sheep carcasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtFeqsr7M&md5=93ee31bd26c4fbaba0727520e687efd2CAS |
Diaz E, Anaya J, Gonzalez H, Sanchez-Escalante A, Torrescano G (2006) Evaluation of slaughter conditions on the quality of beef carcasses produced in slaughterhouses of Northern Mexico. In ‘Proceedings of the 52nd International Congress of Meat Science and Technology’, 13-18 August 2006, Dublin, Ireland. (Eds D Troy, R Pearce, B Byrn, J Kerry) pp. 183–184. (Wagenigen Academic Publishers: The Netherlands)
Dodd L, Pitchford WS, Edwards JEH, Hazel SJ (2012) Measures of behavioural reactivity and their relationships with production traits in sheep: a review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 140, 1–15.
| Measures of behavioural reactivity and their relationships with production traits in sheep: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dokmanovic M, Baltic MZ, Duric J, Ivanovic J, Popovic L, Todorovic M, Markovic R, Pantic S (2015) Correlations among stress parameters, meat and carcass quality parameters in pigs. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 28, 435–441.
| Correlations among stress parameters, meat and carcass quality parameters in pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dreiling CE, Brown DE, Casale L, Kelly L (1987) Muscle glycogen: comparison of iodine binding and enzyme digestion assays and application to meat samples. Meat Science 20, 167–177.
| Muscle glycogen: comparison of iodine binding and enzyme digestion assays and application to meat samples.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXitVKhtQ%3D%3D&md5=f5720875aacd04a753587248f2365cbeCAS |
Ferguson DM, Warner RD (2008) Have we underestimated the impact of pre-slaughter stress on meat quality in ruminants? A review. Meat Science 80, 12–19.
| Have we underestimated the impact of pre-slaughter stress on meat quality in ruminants? A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbnsFGhtw%3D%3D&md5=9626d19b8b12ff422b3aa1d8aeda6eb3CAS |
Grandin T (1997) Assessment of stress during handling and transport. Journal of Animal Science 75, 249–267.
| Assessment of stress during handling and transport.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhtVKisb0%3D&md5=1feb64d38b67a59356692c8844f736f4CAS |
Gregory NG (1998) ‘Animal welfare and meat science.’ (CABI Publishing: Wallingford, UK)
Gruber SL, Tatum JD, Engle TE, Chapman PL, Belk KE, Smith GC (2010) Relationships of behavioural and physiological symptoms of pre-slaughter stress to beef longissimus muscle tenderness. Journal of Animal Science 88, 1148–1159.
| Relationships of behavioural and physiological symptoms of pre-slaughter stress to beef longissimus muscle tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXktVyjs7w%3D&md5=ca6c97a2b0df3c260dec2ec93be348e5CAS |
Guerrero A, Valero MV, Campo MM, Sañudo C (2013) Some factors that affect ruminant meat quality: from the farm to the fork. Review. Acta Scientiarum Animal Sciences 34, 335–347.
Handa RJ, Burgess LH, Kerr JE, O’Keefe JA (1994) Gonadal steroid hormone receptors and sex differences in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Hormones and Behavior 28, 464–476.
| Gonadal steroid hormone receptors and sex differences in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXktlWltro%3D&md5=9628c06a46a7a9b01856bb5aef04c050CAS |
Hopkins DL, Mortimer SI (2014) Effect of genotype, gender and age on sheep meat quality and a case study illustrating integration of knowledge. Meat Science 98, 544–555.
| Effect of genotype, gender and age on sheep meat quality and a case study illustrating integration of knowledge.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC2cfisVKrtw%3D%3D&md5=d2f5ace9fcbc58302131be2dc17b9cbdCAS |
Hopkins DL, Stanley DF, Martin LC, Toohey ES, Gilmour AR (2007) Genotype and age effects on sheep meat production. 3. Meat quality. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 1155–1164.
| Genotype and age effects on sheep meat production. 3. Meat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hopkins DL, Fogarty NM, Mortimer SI (2011) Genetic related effects on sheep meat quality. Small Ruminant Research 101, 160–172.
| Genetic related effects on sheep meat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hudson NJ (2012) Mitochondrial treason: a driver of pH decline rate in post-mortem muscle? Animal Production Science 52, 1107–1110.
| Mitochondrial treason: a driver of pH decline rate in post-mortem muscle?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xhs1Wju7zK&md5=7111cfbf732b3a0ac3388bd0ab50d03aCAS |
International IBL (2013) ‘Cortisol ELISA: enzyme immunoassay for the in-vitro diagnostic quantitative determination of free cortisol in human saliva and of total cortisol in diluted serum. RE52611: instruction for use.’ (IBL International GMBH: Hamburg)
Johnson PL, Purchas RW, McEwan JC, Blair HT (2005) Carcass composition and meat quality differences between pasture-reared ewe and ram lambs. Meat Science 71, 383–391.
| Carcass composition and meat quality differences between pasture-reared ewe and ram lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3Mbns1CgsA%3D%3D&md5=99c9aa731bc95d382b63ff0913e7a948CAS |
Kadim IT, Mahgoub O, Al-Kindi A, Al-Marzooqi W, Al-Saqri NM (2006) Effects of transportation at high ambient temperatures on physiological responses, carcass and meat quality characteristics of three breeds of Omani goats. Meat Science 73, 626–634.
| Effects of transportation at high ambient temperatures on physiological responses, carcass and meat quality characteristics of three breeds of Omani goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbnsFSnsQ%3D%3D&md5=d8dd466530f0906a4c71c72cfe1b6d3aCAS |
Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML (2008) ‘Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals.’ 6th edn. (Academic Press: San Diego, CA)
Lawrie RA (1974) ‘Meat science.’ 2nd edn. (Pergamon Press: Oxford, UK)
Lowry OH, Passoneau JV (1973) ‘A flexible system of enzymatic analysis.’ (Academic Press: New York, NY)
McCormick CM, Furey BF, Child M, Sawyer MJ, Donohue SM (1998) Neonatal sex hormones have ‘organizational’ effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of male rats. Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research 105, 295–307.
| Neonatal sex hormones have ‘organizational’ effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of male rats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXht1Whsro%3D&md5=bd7fcef40d5ac41ae05ba413f6137675CAS |
Minton JE, Coppinger TR, Reddy PG, Davis WC, Blecha F (1992) Repeated restraint and isolation stress alters adrenal lymphocyte functions and some leukocyte differentiation antigens in lambs. Journal of Animal Science 70, 1126–1132.
| Repeated restraint and isolation stress alters adrenal lymphocyte functions and some leukocyte differentiation antigens in lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xitleks74%3D&md5=bfc99815b9647f3e803fbf4c3dd2e10fCAS |
Monin G, Sellier P (1985) Pork of low technological quality with a normal rate of muscle pH fall in the immediate post-mortem period: the case of the Hampshire breed. Meat Science 13, 49–63.
| Pork of low technological quality with a normal rate of muscle pH fall in the immediate post-mortem period: the case of the Hampshire breed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbmvFWjuw%3D%3D&md5=578727966b0dd0e4a7c784e71f0e043cCAS |
Mortimer SI, van der Werf JHJ, Jacob RH, Pethick DW, Pearce KL, Warner RD, Geesink GH, Hocking Edwards JE, Gardner GE, Ponnampalam EN, Kitessa SM, Ball AJ, Hopkins DL (2010) Preliminary estimates of genetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits in Australian sheep. Animal Production Science 50, 1135–1144.
| Preliminary estimates of genetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits in Australian sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mortimer SI, van der Werf JHJ, Jacob RH, Pannier L, Hopkins DL, Gardner G, Pearce KL, Warner RD, Geesink GH, Hocking Edwards JE, Ponnampalam EN, Ball AJ, Gilmour AR, Pethick DW (2014) Genetic parameters for meat quality traits of Australian lamb meat. Meat Science 96, 1016–1024.
| Genetic parameters for meat quality traits of Australian lamb meat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC2c%2Fis1egsg%3D%3D&md5=494c6cfea13799566dc637f856b4d26aCAS |
Mounier L, Dubroeucq H, Andanson S, Veissier I (2006) Variations in meat pH of beef bulls in relation to conditions of transfer to slaughter and previous history of the animals. Journal of Animal Science 84, 1567–1576.
| Variations in meat pH of beef bulls in relation to conditions of transfer to slaughter and previous history of the animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XkvFOqsLY%3D&md5=49d2c5a7078c613dbc1f0a5d3af842daCAS |
Muchenje V, Dzama K, Chimoyo M, Strydom PE, Hugo A, Raats JG (2009a) Some biochemical aspects pertaining to beef eating quality and consumer health: a review. Food Chemistry 112, 279–289.
| Some biochemical aspects pertaining to beef eating quality and consumer health: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXpt1eiur8%3D&md5=e701aa8ee5c539f172d38732f58a03bfCAS |
Muchenje V, Dzama K, Chimonyo M, Strydom PE, Raats JG (2009b) Relationship between stress responsiveness and meat quality in three cattle breeds. Meat Science 81, 653–657.
| Relationship between stress responsiveness and meat quality in three cattle breeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38zisFelug%3D%3D&md5=8aee7abbcba9991e727b9ac416a8a6d6CAS |
Mucina L, Rutherford MC (2006) ‘The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.’ (South African National Biodiversity Institute: Pretoria)
Noll F (1985) L+lactate dedetermination. In ‘Methods of enzymatic analysis’. (Ed. HU Bergmeyer) pp. 583–588. (VCH Verlagsgesellschaft: Weinheim, Germany)
Palme R, Möstl E (1997) Measurement of cortisol metabolites in faeces of sheep as a parameter of cortisol concentration in blood. International Journal of Mammalian Biology 62, 192–197.
Parrott RF, Hall SJ, Lloyd DM (1998) Heart rate and stress hormone responses of sheep to road transport following two different loading procedures. Animal Welfare 7, 257–267.
Pethick D, Rowe J, Tudor G (1995) Glycogen metabolism and meat quality. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia 7, 97–103.
Rhodes RC, Nippo MM, Gross WA (1994) Stress in lambs (Ovis aries) during a routine management procedure: evaluation of acute and chronic responses. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 107, 181–185.
| Stress in lambs (Ovis aries) during a routine management procedure: evaluation of acute and chronic responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rodríguez AB, Bodas R, Landa R, Copez-Campos O, Mantecon AR, Giraldez FL (2011) Animal performance, carcass traits and meat characteristics of Assaf and Merino × Assaf growing lambs. Livestock Science 138, 13–19.
| Animal performance, carcass traits and meat characteristics of Assaf and Merino × Assaf growing lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Škrlep M, Prevonlik M, Segula B, Candek-Potokar M (2009) Association of plasma stress markers at slaughter with carcass or meat quality in pigs. Slovenian Veterinary Research 46, 133–142.
South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) (2006) Classification of red meat. Available at www.samic.co.za [Verified 17 March 2016]
Statistical Analysing System (SAS) (2009) ‘SAS user’s guide: statistics.’ 6th edn. (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary NC)
Tadich N, Gallo C, Brito M, Broom DM (2009) Effects of weaning and 48 h transport by road and ferry on some blood indicators of welfare in lambs. Livestock Science 121, 132–136.
| Effects of weaning and 48 h transport by road and ferry on some blood indicators of welfare in lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tarrant PV (1989) The effect of handling, transport, slaughter and chilling on meat quality and yield of pigs: a review. Irish Journal of Food Science and Technology 13, 79–107.
Tejeda JF, Peña RE, Andrès AI (2008) Effect of live weight and sex on physico-chemical and sensorial characteristics of Merino lamb meat. Meat Science 80, 1061–1067.
| Effect of live weight and sex on physico-chemical and sensorial characteristics of Merino lamb meat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtFOqsrnP&md5=36c51aea4a1b0ed372ab456453b534b6CAS |
Trinder P (1969) Determination of glucose in blood using glucose oxidase with an alternative oxygen acceptor. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 6, 24–27.
| Determination of glucose in blood using glucose oxidase with an alternative oxygen acceptor.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3MXotl2itA%3D%3D&md5=88f3cfd4512d9c609972c48eae99e4c8CAS |
Warner RD, Ferguson DM, McDonagh MB, Channon HA, Cottrell JJ, Dunshea FR (2005) Acute exercise stress and electrical stimulation influence the consumer perception of sheep meat eating quality and objective quality traits. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 553–560.
| Acute exercise stress and electrical stimulation influence the consumer perception of sheep meat eating quality and objective quality traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Warriss PD, Brown SN, Adams SJM, Corlett IK (1994) Relationships between subjective and objective assessments of stress at slaughter and meat quality in pigs. Meat Science 38, 329–340.
| Relationships between subjective and objective assessments of stress at slaughter and meat quality in pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3Mbnt12luw%3D%3D&md5=8a20d3f2ef532474ec28fa95efd82b56CAS |
Wiklund E, Johansson L, Malmfors G (2003) Sensory meat quality, pH values, blood parameters and carcass characteristic in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) grazed on natural pastures or fed commercial feed mixture. Food Quality and Preference 14, 573–581.
| Sensory meat quality, pH values, blood parameters and carcass characteristic in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) grazed on natural pastures or fed commercial feed mixture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wyszecki G, Stiles WS (1982) ‘Colour science: concepts and methods, quantitative data and formulae.’ 2nd edn. (Wiley: New York, NY)
