PubMed · 6010213
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D L Harris, C M Thompson. 1966. Brucellosis.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6010213/
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of source of cattle and distance cattle were transported to a commercial slaughter facility on prevalence and severity of carcass bruises in mature beef cows. DESIGN: Epidemiologic investigation. SAMPLE POPULATION: Carcasses from 3,955 beef cows from 11 states assembled in 89 procurement lots. PROCEDURE: Each carcass was scored for bruise severity and location. Source of cattle was categorized. Distance from source to slaughter facility was determined. An ANCOVA was used to determine effects of variables on carcass bruises. RESULTS: Mature beef cows marketed through livestock auctions conducting first-point testing for brucellosis, especially when transported longer distances (> 325 km) to slaughter facilities, had a greater number and severity of carcass bruises than cows originating from ranches or livestock auctions not conducting first-point testing. There was an increase in number of rib bruises in cows originating from livestock auctions not conducting first-point testing. Prevalence and severity of bruises were not significantly affected by transportation distance between cows originating from auctions not conducting first-point testing and cows originating from ranches. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A strong association existed between handling for brucellosis testing prior to sale for slaughter and distance transported to slaughter facility with carcass bruises in mature beef cows. Bruises are major quality defects that decrease carcass value and slaughter-cow prices. Repeated handling and restraint as well as long-distance transport are issues to consider regarding the responsibility of the livestock industry to provide for the safety and well-being of cattle sold for slaughter.
OBJECTIVE: To compare prevalence estimates of brucellosis (BR) in adult beef cattle that originated from different states and regions of Mexico and that were shipped direct-to-slaughter into Texas during 1995. DESIGN: Epidemiologic survey. ANIMALS: About 65,000 adult beef cattle. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected during postmortem examinations and were tested for serum antibodies to Brucella abortus, using the particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay and automated complement-fixation test. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals of BR were calculated by state of origin in Mexico. The difference among prevalence estimates of BR in cattle from different states and regions was tested for significance (P < 0.05), using the proportion test. RESULTS: On the basis of serologic test results, the overall prevalence estimate of BR was 0.32%. The prevalence estimate of BR in cattle from the state of Chihuahua (0.10%) was significantly different than that in cattle from the states of Nuevo Leon (0.23%), Zacatecas (0.34%), Durango (0.47%), Chiapas (1.81%), Tamaulipas (2.71%), Aguascalientes (7.89%), and Campeche (12.24%). In addition, prevalence estimates of BR in cattle were significantly different among the northern (0.22%), south-central (3.18%), and south coastal (9.42%) regions of Mexico. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results of this study indicate that the number of cattle exposed to B abortus may be significantly different among states and regions of Mexico. Current import sanitary requirements should continue to mitigate potential risk of transmission of BR from sexually intact cattle of Mexican origin to Texas cattle.
The behavioral and physiological responses of pigs to transport and subsequent exposure to slaughterhouse sounds were examined. Forty-one groups of four slaughter pigs were separately loaded onto a lorry and transported for 25 min. Another 43 groups were loaded onto the lorry which then remained stationary for 25 min. Following unloading pigs were moved to a race with a length of 15 m and a width of 1.5 m. Either one of the following sounds was played at 85 dB(A) for 10 min: Pigs in front of the restrainer, Machines in lairage, White Noise, or Control (no sound). Pigs exposed to the Machines and White Noise treatment spent significantly more time close to their group-mates compared with Control pigs, with pigs subjected to the Pig sound being intermediate. Transported pigs spent less time exploring the race and were less active than pigs from the stationary lorry. Heart rate was higher during transport than during the stationary period. In contrast, during unloading, the sound exposure period and the post-sound period, heart rate was lower in the transported groups. Heart rate did not significantly differ between sound treatments. Salivary cortisol concentrations were significantly higher after transport than after the stationary period and remained higher for transported pigs after the sound exposure period. Cortisol levels did not differ significantly between sound treatments. It is tentatively suggested that social support from conspecifics may protect pigs from potentially adverse effects of exposure to lairage sounds.