Time derivatives in air temperature and enthalpy as non-invasive welfare indicators during long distance animal transport

Extreme environmental temperatures and high relative humidity can have serious negative effects on animal production at the farm level, but less is known about environmental changes during live transport of domestic animals to slaughter. Although upper temperature limits have been established to transport pigs in Europe, few indices include relative or absolute humidity maxima or mention appropriate enthalpy ranges. In this study we measured temperature, humidity and calculated air enthalpy (kg water kg dry air−1) on commercial farms, during seven long distance (\u3e24 h) journeys and at an abattoir. There was an approximate overlap of data points on the psychrometric charts for each location (farm, transport and abattoir). However, the temperature time derivative (°C s−1) and enthalpy time derivative (kg water kg dry air−1 s−1) were up to ten times higher during transport than the corresponding derivatives on the farm or at the abattoir. Post-transport observation of pig behaviour also suggested that journeys with higher temperature or enthalpy time derivatives were more stressed (evaluated as the amount of time they spent resting or drinking). In conclusion, times derivatives of temperature or enthalpy could be used as non-invasive welfare indicators during transport and appear to be much more sensitive than absolute values of temperature or relative humidity

Time derivatives in air temperature and enthalpy as non-invasive welfare indicators during long distance animal transport

Extreme environmental temperatures and high relative humidity can have serious negative effects on animal production at the farm level, but less is known about environmental changes during live transport of domestic animals to slaughter. Although upper temperature limits have been established to transport pigs in Europe, few indices include relative or absolute humidity maxima or mention appropriate enthalpy ranges. In this study we measured temperature, humidity and calculated air enthalpy (kg water kg dry air−1) on commercial farms, during seven long distance (\u3e24 h) journeys and at an abattoir. There was an approximate overlap of data points on the psychrometric charts for each location (farm, transport and abattoir). However, the temperature time derivative (°C s−1) and enthalpy time derivative (kg water kg dry air−1 s−1) were up to ten times higher during transport than the corresponding derivatives on the farm or at the abattoir. Post-transport observation of pig behaviour also suggested that journeys with higher temperature or enthalpy time derivatives were more stressed (evaluated as the amount of time they spent resting or drinking). In conclusion, times derivatives of temperature or enthalpy could be used as non-invasive welfare indicators during transport and appear to be much more sensitive than absolute values of temperature or relative humidity

The effect of stocking density in transit on the carcass quality and welfare of slaughter pigs: 2. Results from the analysis of blood and meat samples

In a trial involving 2496 pigs, the influences on blood profile and pork quality of stocking densities ranging from 201 to 321 kg m−2 were examined. The pigs came from four different farms and were killed in 16 weekly batches. They were transported for on average 3 hr and held in lairage for 1 hr. Higher stocking densities resulted in more physical stress to the pigs based on the activity of the enzyme CPK in the blood. Stocking density did not apparently affect psychological stress and high densities did not result in dehydration. The colour, water holding capacity and instrumentally-determined texture of the pork from the carcasses of the pigs were not affected by stocking density. The experimental design and precision of the measurements were sufficient to detect numerous differences in blood profile and pork quality between pigs from the four source farms. These differences probably related to different degrees of stress-susceptibility. The results suggest that the highest stocking density examined (321 kg m−2) is unacceptable for the transport of pigs. The second highest density (281 kg m−2) produced relatively little evidence of an adverse effect on the welfare of pigs. It may be scientifically acceptable for short journeys (≤3 hr) but not for longer ones where pigs need more space to lie down

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium mishandling central tenet in heart failure?

Excitation-contraction coupling links excitation of the sarcolemmal surface membrane to mechanical contraction. In the heart this link is established via a Ca-induced Ca release process, which, following sarcolemmal depolarisation, prompts Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)\ua0though the ryanodine receptor (RyR2). This substantially raises the cytoplasmic Ca concentration to trigger systole. In diastole, Ca is removed from the cytoplasm, primarily via the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca-dependent ATPase (SERCA) pump on the SR\ua0membrane, returning Ca to the SR store. Ca movement across the SR is thus fundamental to the systole/diastole cycle and plays an essential role in maintaining cardiac contractile function. Altered SR Ca homeostasis (due to disrupted Ca release, storage, and reuptake pathways) is a central tenet of heart failure and contributes to depressed contractility, impaired relaxation, and propensity to arrhythmia. This review will focus on the molecular mechanisms that underlie asynchronous Ca cycling around the SR in the failing heart. Further, this review will illustrate that the combined effects of expression changes and disruptions to RyR2 and SERCA2a regulatory pathways are critical to the pathogenesis of heart failure

Towards a Dynamic Interaction Network of Life to unify and expand the evolutionary theory

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