Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density (0.20 and 0.27 m2/lamb) during transportation on certain biochemical stress parameters and meat quality characteristics of fifty- five Karayaka lambs divided into two groups. The front compartment of the trailer was loaded at high stocking density (hd: 0.20 m2/lamb; n=33) and the remainder was loaded at low stocking density (ld: 0.27 m2/lamb; n=22). the distance was approximately 130 km and duration was 2 h 15 min. blood samples were taken just before and just after transportation. glucose (p<0.001), lactate (p<0.001), cortisol (p<0.01), creatine kinase (ck) (p<0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) (P<0.01) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.05) levels were significantly higher in lambs of the hd group than in the ld group. the effects of stocking density on ph, proportion of expressed juice, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force value and meat colour parameters were not significant (P>0.05). Transportation with a stocking density of 0.20 m2/lamb resulted in higher stress responses in lambs compared with a stocking density of 0.27 m2/lamb. however, increased stress in the hd group did not lead to any adverse effects on meat quality characteristics. in the determination of stocking density, a compromise that gives animal welfare and commercial objectives equal status would improve the current situation.