150132 20251017144635.0 doi 10.1007/s11250-017-1435-0 sideral 134017 ART-2018-134017 eng Miranda-de la Lama, G. C. (orcid)0000-0002-6848-1010 Long-distance transport of hair lambs: effect of location in pot-belly trailers on thermo-physiology, welfare and meat quality 2018 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Livestock transport exposes animals to a range of potential stressors that may compromise their welfare and final product quality, and those effects typically increase with the distance travelled. In North America, producers often use pot-belly vehicles for long hauls but little is known about their suitability for transporting lambs. We followed two long-distance trips using pot-belly trailers carrying 500 lambs (each) from Northern to Central Mexico in winter, to measure possible effects on animal welfare and meat quality. Sixty lambs per trip were placed at different locations within the pot-belly trailer. Animals were equipped with iButton Thermochron® temperature devices, which registered body temperature throughout pre- and post-slaughter stages. Despite the rather cool winter conditions, lambs placed in the “belly” and “nose” compartments had higher body temperatures at loading, during transport and lairage and after slaughter (carcass temperature). Those lambs also had higher levels of plasma cortisol, glucose and creatine kinase (CK), and a higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Regarding meat quality, ultimate pH (24 h) was higher in all locations, especially in LT4 location. Overall, the results suggest a link between thermal stress during transport, elevated physiological indicators of stress and poorer meat quality. info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess All rights reserved http://www.europeana.eu/rights/rr-f/ 1.089 2018 VETERINARY SCIENCES 65 / 141 = 0.461 2018 Q2 T2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE 33 / 61 = 0.541 2018 Q3 T2 0.513 2018 Food Animals 2018 Q2 Animal Science and Zoology 2018 Q2 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersion Rodríguez-Palomares, M. Cruz-Monterrosa, R. G. Rayas-Amor, A. A. Pinheiro, R. S. B. Galindo, F. M. Villarroel, M. 50, 2 (2018), 327-336 Trop. Anim. Health Prod. Tropical Animal Health and Production 0049-4747 483312 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/150132/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2362787 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/150132/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:150132 articulos driver 2025-10-17-14:28:46 ARTICLE