Detection of blood cortisol levels in cattle destined for slaughter at the Portoviejo municipal slaughter center during a period of political instability.

Abstract

The objective of the research was to detect blood cortisol levels in cattle destined for slaughter at the Portoviejo Municipal Slaughter Center, in the phase of political instability. During a period of 4 work weeks, field work was carried out in which 132 blood samples were collected directly from the jugular vein. These samples were classified and grouped according to age, sex and transportation time, in order to establish relationships between the variables. The research results revealed that, due to the national strike, transportation became the main factor that triggers elevated cortisol levels.; Other elements such as environmental conditions, physiological processes, pregnancy and diseases also influence the increase in cortisol in each individual. At the slaughter center, cattle from various cantons and provinces were slaughtered, with 80.3% females and 19.7% males. It was found that sex (p < 0.001) and age (p < 0.006) influenced cortisol levels, but there were no significant differences in relation to the origin of the animal. In particular, notable differences in cortisol levels were evident between the towns of Río Chico and Santo Domingo, the situation was directly linked to a national strike that took place precisely while the animals were being transferred from the aforementioned towns to the center. of slaughter.