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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421195
Research Project: Smart Optical Sensing of Food Hazards and Elimination of Non-Nitrofurazone Semicarbazide in Poultry

Location: Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit

Title: Influence of euthanasia methods on broiler blood metabolites

Author
item JENNINGS, MADALYN - Auburn University
item MCCONNELL, ABIGAIL - Auburn University
item HUGHES, MATTHEW - Auburn University
item BOURASSA, DIANNA - Auburn University

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2024
Publication Date: 1/28/2025
Citation: Jennings, M., A. McConnell, M. Hughes, and D.V. Bourassa. Influence of euthanasia methods on broiler blood metabolites. International Poultry Scientific Forum, January 27-28, 2025. Atlanta, GA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Euthanasia methods are used by professionals in multiple facets of the poultry industry. Carbon dioxide (CO2) euthanasia, electrical euthanasia, manual cervical dislocation (CD), and captive bolt are all approved euthanasia methods by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Oftentimes, one of these methods is used prior to sample collection for research studies. To investigate the influence of euthanasia method on blood metabolites, 5 blood samples per method were collected from broilers euthanized by CO2, electrical, manual cervical dislocation, and captive bolt. From these blood samples, partial pressure of carbon dioxide PCO2 (mmHg), pH, partial pressure of oxygen PO2 (mmHg), HCO3- (mEq/L), base excess BEecf (mEq/L), oxygen saturation sO2 (%), total carbon dioxide TCO2 (mEq/L), Na (mEq/L), K (mEq/L), ionized calcium iCa (mmol/L), glucose (mg/dL), hematocrit (%PVC) and hemoglobin (g/dL) were measured using an iSTAT Alinity v blood analyzer. Data were analyzed by General Linear Models through SAS 9.4 University Edition with significance determined at P=0.05. Means were separated by Tukey’s HSD. PCO2 was higher for birds euthanized by CO2 (115.95) compared to electrical (47.22), CD (37.92), and captive bolt (45.08; P<.0001). The pH was lower for birds euthanized by CO2 (6.90), than electrical (7.35), CD (7.42), and captive bolt (7.35; P<.0001). Na was higher for birds euthanized by captive bolt (148.2) compared to CO2 (143), electrical (146.8), and CD (147.4; P=0.0182). K was higher in birds euthanized by CO2 (8.62) than electrical (6.34), CD (6.2), and captive bolt (6.5; P=0.0089). iCa was higher in birds euthanized by CO2 (1.33) compared to electrical (1.28), CD (1.18), and captive bolt (1.30; P=0.0393). There were no significant differences between the euthanasia methods for PO2 (P=0.5134), HCO3 (P=0.7503), BEecf (P=0.1188), sO2 (P=0.1200), TCO2 (P=0.5050), glucose (P=0.1380), hematocrit (P=0.0685), or hemoglobin (P=0.1213). These findings provide insight into the potential effects of euthanasia methods on blood metabolites, which may influence subsequent samples obtained during research studies.