Consequences of Transport Conditions on the Welfare of Slaughter Pigs with Different Health Status and RYR-1 Genotype

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of transport conditions on welfare indicators of slaughter pigs with different health status and RYR-1 genotype. The group of pigs, predominantly consisting of Nn (56.67%) and subclinically diseased (60.00%) individuals, that were exposed to short transportation (2) had the highest slipping (p p = 0.0009), turning back (p p p p 2) had the highest lactate (p p p = 0.0450 and p = 0.0002), CK (p p = 0.0010), LDH (p p = 0.0484), AST (p = 0.0208 and p = 0.0170), ALT (p = 0.0500 and p = 0.00081), ceruloplasmin (p = 0.0334 and p p = 0.0048 and p p p p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0432), albumin (p p p = 0.0122 and p = 0.0500) and GSH (p = 0.0042 and p = 0.0340) levels, respectively. In the group consisting of of stress-resistant (100%) and predominantly healthy (60.00%) pigs subjected to short transportation (2), none of the individuals showed irregular behavioural reactions during unloading. Healthy NN pigs that underwent short transportation (2) had the lowest lactate (p p p = 0.0450 and p = 0.0002), CK (p p = 0.0010), LDH (p p = 0.0484) and ceruloplasmin (p = 0.0334 and p p p p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0432) concentrations, respectively. In conclusion, the most compromised welfare was recorded in subclinically diseased Nn pigs exposed to short transportation (2), while under the same conditions, the welfare of healthy NN pigs was not compromised. Therefore, stress-carrier pigs with subclinical pathological lesions should not be considered fit for transportation, indicating that the health status and genotype are the key factors for optimising pig welfare.

Keywords

• acute-phase proteins
• behaviour
• oxidative stress biomarkers
• physiometabolic blood profile
• short transport distance
• subclinical pathological lesions