Determination of plasmatic cortisol for evaluation of animal welfare during slaughter

The plasmatic cortisol levels of 60 eight-month-old calves (Charolais breed) were measured as stress indicators resulting from two types of slaughter: traditional and religious rite. The plasmatic cortisol levels were evaluated during three different stages of their productive life: during growth, after transport and during slaughter. The thirty calves slaughtered after stunning showed plasmatic cortisol values of 4.85 +/- 3.2; 36.36 +/- 12.2 and 45.08 +/- 14.1 nmol/L, during growth, in the slaughterhouse stables and during exsanguination, respectively. Conversely, the average values found in the thirty calves subjected to ritual slaughter were 2.96 +/- 1.2; 31.65 +/- 25.4 and 68.70 +/- 30.6 nmol/L. The results of the study showed that animal welfare should be improved in both forms of slaughter.