title: Effect of slaughter by removal from water on visual evoked activity in the brain and reflex movement of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
abstract: The effects of removal from water and death by anoxia on brain function and reflex movement were examined in conscious trout. Visual evoked responses (VERS) were measured in fish with a body temperature of 20 degrees C, 14 degrees C and 2 degrees C. On average the fish took 2.6 minutes at 20 degrees C, 3.0 minutes at 14 degrees C and 9.6 minutes at 2 degrees C to lose VERS, and 11.5, 27.7 and 197.6 minutes, respectively, to lose all movement. VERS were absent from fish anaesthetised with MS222. From a humanitarian standpoint these results indicate that fish killed by anoxia could be exposed to periods of distress or suffering, and that cooling them in ice prolongs this period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Meat Animal Science, University of Bristol, Langford.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kestin
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Wotton
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000662:veterinary; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005398:Fisheries; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012474:Salmon / Q000502:physiology*