Evaluation of Slaughter Stress Responses in the Dromedary Camel

Lemrhamed  Abdelilah; Tabite Rabab; El Abbadi Najia; El Khasmi Mohammed; Faye Bernard

Authors

Lemrhamed Abdelilah Laboratory of Physiopathology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, University Hassan II of Casablanca, PB. 7955 Sidi Othmane, Casablanca, MOROCCO
Tabite Rabab Laboratory of Physiopathology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, University Hassan II of Casablanca, PB. 7955 Sidi Othmane, Casablanca, MOROCCO
El Abbadi Najia Unit of Radio-Immuno-Analysis/Division of Life Sciences, CNESTEN, PB. 1382 RP 10001, Rabat, MOROCCO
El Khasmi Mohammed Laboratory of Physiopathology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'Sik, University Hassan II of Casablanca, PB. 7955 Sidi Othmane, Casablanca, MOROCCO
Faye Bernard FAO/CIRAD-ES, Campus International de Baillarguet, TA C/dir B 34398 Montpellier, FRANCE

Keywords:

Catalase Activity, Dromedary, Glucose, Hormones, Haemolysis, Malondialdehyde, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio, Slaughter Stress

Abstract

Slaughter stress responses were evaluated in the dromedary camel by analyzing hematocrit (Hct), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), hemolysis (H%), catalase activity (CATa) and plasma levels of cortisol (COR), triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxine (T₄), glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA). Blood was collected during three different steps: at the arrival of the animals at the slaughterhouse just after unloading (step 1), at the end of a rest period of 16 to 20 hours (step 2) and finally during bleeding (step 3) after exposure to traditional slaughter stress. NLR, H%, MDA, glucose, COR, T3 and T4 measured at step 2 were significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to those observed at step 1 or step 3. On the contrary, CATa measured at step 2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that analyzed at steps 1 and 3. In the camel, the slaughter procedure used here was much more stressful and was able to alter the physiology of the animal.