title: Beta-endorphin and cortisol concentrations in plasma of blood samples collected during exsanguination of cattle.
abstract: Blood samples were collected during exsanguination from a group of 36 cattle slaughtered at a research abattoir and from a group of 36 cattle slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. Beta-endorphin and cortisol values were measured in plasma from all blood samples. The mean beta-endorphin values for the two groups of animals (19·2 and 20·9 pmol/litre) did not differ significantly. The mean cortisol values for the two groups of cattle did differ significantly (P < 0·001), with the commercial abattoir group having the greater mean value (123 nmol/litre versus 41 nmol/litre). Although the commercial abattoir group had an elevated mean cortisol value there were no dark cutting carcasses in the group.
authors: CSIRO Division of Food Processing, Meat Research Laboratory, PO Box 12, Cannon Hill, Queensland 4170, Australia.
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Tume
authors: F D
authors: FD
authors: Shaw