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Electrocardiogram parameters of piglets during housing, handling and transport

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

H. Villé ,
S. Bertels ,
R. Geers ,
S. Janssens ,
V. Goedseels ,
G. Parduyns ,
J. van Bael ,
K. Goossens ,
L. Bosschaerts  and
J. de Ley
...Show all authors
H. Villé
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
S. Bertels
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
R. Geers
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
S. Janssens
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
V. Goedseels
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
G. Parduyns
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
J. van Bael
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
K. Goossens
Affiliation:
Catholic University Leuven, Laboratory for Agricultural Buildings Research, Kard. Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
L. Bosschaerts
Affiliation:
Seghers Hybrid NV, Buggenhout, Belgium
J. de Ley
Affiliation:
Seghers Hybrid NV, Buggenhout, Belgium
L. Heylen
Affiliation:
Seghers Hybrid NV, Buggenhout, Belgium
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Abstract

Telemetric techniques for the monitoring of physiological parameters during housing, handling and transport may help producers to reduce mortality and improve meat quality. In order to know the reliability of electrocardiogram parameters as stress indicators, piglets (12 to 23 kg) being different with respect to the halothane gene (homozygous halothane sensitive (nn) and non-sensitive (NN), heterozygotes (nN)), and thus different with respect to stress susceptibility, were monitored with an ambulatory ECG device during housing, handling and transport. Skeletal muscularity of all animals was measured with an ultrasound device.

Heterozygotes and homozygote halothane sensitive piglets had a higher muscularity, but only the homozygotes had a higher ST-elevation from the isoelectric line of the QRST-complex of the electrocardiogram when measured within housing conditions. This means a different propagation of the electric current related to the activation of the ventricle. Halothane gene carriers (Nn and nn piglets) had a statistically significant higher mean maximal heart rate during housing conditions. During handling heart rate rose by 14·8%, 0·61% and 42·9% respectively for NN, nN and nn piglets, with nn piglets having the highest values. During transport these measurements were respectively 6·88%, 3·66% and 9·7% higher for lines NN, nN and nn as compared with those in housing conditions. Heart arrhythmicity parameters were not different between housing and transport, but during handling up to a 23-fold increase could be observed.

Heart rate and arrhythmicity parameters may generate reliable information to monitor stress during housing, handling and transport of piglets through genotypes and skeletal muscularity.

Keywords

electrocardiogramshandlingpigsstresstransport
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 56 , Issue 2 , April 1993 , pp. 211 - 216
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1993

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