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Abstract
Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS) is a novel approach to pre-slaughter stunning of chickens using progressive hypobaric hypoxia by the application of gradual decompression (280s cycle) according to a set of prescribed pressure curves. LAPS produces a non-recovery state. Concerns have been raised relating to the possible pathological and welfare consequences of expansion of air in the body during LAPS. In a randomized trial we compared the gross pathology of broilers exposed to LAPS with a control group euthanized by intravenous injection of pentobarbital sodium (60 mixed sex broilers per treatment). The birds were exposed to each treatment in triplets and all birds were subject to necropsy examination to detect and score (1 to 5, minimal to severe) haemorrhagic lesions or congestion for all major organs and cavities (e.g. air sacs, joints, ears and heart) as well as external assessment for product quality (e.g. wing tips). Behavioural data (latency to loss of posture and motionless) and chamber cycle data (temperature, humidity, pressure and oxygen availability) confirmed that LAPS had been applied in a manner representative of the commercial process. All of the organs observed were structurally intact for both treatment groups. No lesions were observed in the external ears, oral cavity, tracheal lumen, crop, and air sacs of birds from either treatment group. There was no difference between treatments in the wingtips, nasal turbinates, thymus, biceps femoralis, and colon. Haemorrhagic lesions were observed in the calvaria, brains, hearts and lungs of both treatment groups, but lesions in these areas were more severe in the LAPS treatment group. It was not possible to distinguish between pathological changes induced by decompression or recompression. In the barbiturate group, more severe haemorrhagic lesions were observed in the superficial pectoral muscles as well as greater congestion of the infraorbital sinuses, liver, spleens, duodenum, kidneys and gonads. These findings provide evidence that LAPS did not result in distension of the intestines and air sacs sufficient to cause changes, which were grossly visible on post mortem examination. There was also no evidence of barotrauma in the ears and sinuses. The pathological changes observed in the barbiturate treatment were as expected based on barbiturate toxicity. LAPS appears to produce pathological changes by a variety of well-established mechanisms, and while these pathological data have limited value as welfare indicators, the results confirm that organ integrity was not compromised by the process.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Animal |
Early online date | 26 Jun 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 26 Jun 2019 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- slaughter
- broilers
- pathology
- Animal welfare
- Hypobaric hypoxia
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Pathological consequences of Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning in broiler chickens'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Welfare assessment of Low atmospheric pressure stunning (LAPS) in poultry (£174,000)
Martin, J. (Co-investigator), McKeegan, D. E. F. (Principal Investigator) & Mitchell, M. A. (Other)
1/03/15 → 1/12/17
Project: Non-Funded Commission or Consultancy work
Research output
- 3 Article
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Effects of light on responses to Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning in Broilers
Martin, J., Christensen, K., Vizzier-Thaxton, Y. & McKeegan, D., 20 Sept 2020, In: British Poultry Science. 57, 5, p. 585-600Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Behavioural, brain and cardiac responses to hypobaric hypoxia in broiler chickens
Martin, J. E., Christensen, K., Vizzier-Thaxton, Y., Mitchell, M. A. & McKeegan, D., 1 Sept 2016, In: Physiology & Behavior. 163, p. 25-36Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Effects of analgesic intervention on behavioural responses to Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning
Martin, J., Christensen, K., Vizzier-Thaxton, Y. & McKeegan, D., Jul 2016, In: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 180, p. 157-165Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile