title: The effect of different methods of electrical stunning of lambs on blood pressure and muscular activity.
abstract: The effect on blood pressure and muscular activity of a 'head-only' and a 'head-to-body' method of electrical stunning was measured in groups of lambs. A two- to three-fold increase in arterial pressure followed 'head-only' stunning, along with moderate increases in venous pressure. By contrast, after 'head-to-body' stunning, arterial pressure decreased, but venous pressure increased to above 50 mm Hg. Electromyographic recordings showed there was a greater increase in the intensity of muscular activity following 'head-to-body' stunning compared with 'head-only' stunning and there was a direct correlation between the degree of muscular activity and the increase in venous pressure. It is argued that the resultant pressure changes in the microcirculatory bed are likely to be associated with the occurrence of haemorrhagic defects following stunning by electrical methods.
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors: G V
authors: GV
authors: Petersen
authors: D H
authors: DH
authors: Carr
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Davies
authors: B T
authors: BT
authors: Pickett