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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #76460
Title: BRAIN SPECIFIC ISOENZYME IN THE CIRCULATING BLOOD OF CATTLE AS A SEQUELAE TO THE STUNNING PROCESS

Author
item BAUER, NATHAN - USDA-FSIS
item Buckley, Sandra - Sandy
item FERRIS, RICHARD - UDSA-VETERINARY SERVICES
item SPIEKERMAN, A - TAMU HEALTH SCIENCE CTR
item KOSS, WILLIAM - TAMU HEALTH SCIENCE CTR
item PIERCE, KENNETH - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item WOJCIESZYN, JOHN - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item DAVIS, ARTHUR - USDA NVSL
item Stanker, Larry
item GARLAND, TAM - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Thromboemboli from pulmonary arteries of slaughtered cattle were sent to the USDA National Veterinary Service Laboratory for future histopathology evaluation. Carotid blood samples from the "stick wound" of stunned cattle were submitted for total creatine and creatine kinase brain specific isoenzyme (CKBB) analysis. Abattoir 1 used a Hantover pneumatic actuated and Koch cartridge actuated stunner. Abattoir 2 used two different cartridge actuated stunners (Koch and Schermer). Abattoir 3 used an EFA pneumatic actuated and a Schermer cartridge actuated stunner. No samples from Abattoirs 1 and 2 were positive for CKBB although smears migrating in the "albumin peak" range were noted. Twenty of forty-five samples from Abattoir 3 had distinct positive CKBB peaks without computer enhancement. Six of fifty-six samples from Abattoir 4 (which also stuns with an EFA pneumatic actuated stunner) were positive for CKBB and all samples had smears. Abattoir 3 was revisited and blood was collected post- mortem from the pulmonary veins and pulmonary arteries. Twenty-three of twenty-three pulmonary vein samples were positive for CKBB with larger peaks. Eleven of twelve pulmonary artery samples were positive for CKBB. Edible tissues from slaughtered livestock may be exposed to brain proteins in the blood as a sequela to some stunning processes.