Evaluation of brain damage resulting from penetrating and non–penetrating stunning in Nelore Cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oliveira, Steffan Edward Octávio; Dalla Costa, Filipe Antonio; Gibson, Troy John; Costa, Osmar Antonio Dalla; Coldebella, Arlei; Gregory, Neville George
• Is Part Of: Meat science. Volume 145(2018)
• Page Start: 347
• Page End: 351
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Brain pathology -- Bulls -- Brainsteam -- Pneumatic captive bolt stunning -- Haemorrhage -- Slaughter; Meat -- Periodicals; Meat industry and trade -- Periodicals; Viande -- Périodiques; Viande -- Industrie -- Périodiques; Meat; Meat industry and trade; Periodicals; 641.36
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.07.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-1740

Abstract

Abstract: Brain damage resulting from penetrating and non–penetrating stunning of Nelore cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns was evaluated. Heads were shot using penetrating captive bolt gun with 160 psi (P1; n = 10), 175 psi (P2; n = 10), 190 psi (P3; n = 12), and non-penetrating operating with 220 psi (NP; n = 10). Skin and bone thickness, bolt penetration angle, bolt penetration depth, haemorrhage over the cerebral hemispheres and laceration were assessed. Only P1 had shots that failed to perforate the skull (n = 2; 20%). Bolt penetration depth and haemorrhage over the right cerebral hemisphere was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for P3. Subarachnoid haemorrhage over the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes was higher for NP. Lacerations were observed only for penetrating gun in the cortical region of frontal and parietal lobes. Subarachnoid haemorrhage surrounding the brainstem and laceration in the midbrain and pons was only found for P3. Thus, penetrating captive bolt gun operating with 190 psi is more effective to achieve unconsciousness. Highlights: Penetrating captive bolt gun was more effective in damaging brainstem structures than non-penetrating captive bolt guns. Only PCB operating with 190 psi produced damage to the thalamus and brainstem. Penetrating captive bolt gun showed a lower risk of incomplete stunning of cattle. Non-penetrating captive bolt gun was inappropriate to stun adult beef cattle. PCB gun operating at 190 psi had a greater depth of penetration into the brain.