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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Correlations among various blood parameters at exsanguination and their relationships to pork quality traits

J. H. Choe A B , M. H. Choi A , Y. C. Ryu C , K. S. Lim B D , E. A. Lee D , J. H. Kang D , K. C. Hong D , S. K. Lee E , Y. T. Kim F , S. S. Moon F , K. W. Lee A , M. S. Rhee A and B. C. Kim A G
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Food Bioscience and Technology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea.

B Institute of Life Science and Natural Resources, Korea University, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea.

C College of Applied Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju-si, Jeju-Do 690-756, Republic of Korea.

D Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea.

E Department of Animal Products and Food Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-Do 200-701, Republic of Korea.

F Sunjin Meat Research Centre, Sunjin Co. Ltd, Kangdong-Gu, Seoul 134-060, Republic of Korea.

G Corresponding author. Email: bckim@korea.ac.kr

Animal Production Science 55(5) 672-679 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13424
Submitted: 15 October 2013  Accepted: 13 February 2014   Published: 1 April 2014

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlations between various blood parameters compared with cortisol and lactate levels under the standard pre-slaughter procedure and handling conditions and to assess their potential as indicators of pork quality traits. Despite there being no additional pre-slaughter stress treatment, there is considerable variation in blood parameters at exsanguination. Serum cortisol and blood lactate levels, widely used indicators of stress, were positively correlated with blood glucose and electrolytes, such as calcium, potassium and sodium. Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with a rapid rate of early postmortem glycolysis and reduced water-holding capacity. In particular, blood lactate and glucose levels significantly differed between porcine quality classes. However, other blood parameters including electrolytes did not significantly differ between quality classes though they significantly correlated with pork quality traits. Therefore, serum cortisol, blood lactate and glucose have potential as indicators of the rate and extent of postmortem metabolism and ultimate pork quality under the standard procedure and handling conditions of pre-slaughter.


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