Oxidative stress parameters in landrace pigs slaughtered by the stunning method

This study aimed to measure oxidative stress parameters during pig slaughter preparation. This study used 60 landrace pigs that were taken the serum and saliva samples under conditions before stunned (T1), after stunned (T2) and after slaughtered (T3). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were also evaluated. The serum was taken through the jugular vein with vacutainer. Saliva was taken with a salivate tube. Serum and saliva were tested using the Cortisol ELISA immunoassay method. The level of SOD, MDA and GPx were analyzed through serum concentration. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in T2 and increased significantly (p<0.05) in T3. The SOD levels showed the opposite results with MDA and GPx. The SOD levels decrease after stunning and increase after slaughter, vice versa. It can be concluded that there were significant differences in serum and salivary cortisol of pigs taken before stunned, after stunned and after slaughtered. The level of SOD, MDA and GPx could be a reference for oxidative stress parameters during handling and restraint in pig slaughter.