SILVA, Vitor Alves Da; adorno, Vitória Ferreira; MASCARENHAS JUNIOR, Walcker Gonçalves; FALEIRO, Mariana Batista Rodrigues
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate pre-slaughter management practices in beef cattle and
to analyze their effects on animal welfare and meat quality. An integrative literature
review with a qualitative and analytical approach was conducted, based on a
systematic search in major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of
Science, ScienceDirect, SciELO, and CAB Abstracts, considering studies published
between 2015 and 2025. A total of 38 articles met the eligibility criteria and were
included in the final analysis. The findings demonstrate that pre-slaughter handling
plays a critical role in modulating physiological stress responses, primarily through
activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and subsequent depletion of
muscle glycogen reserves. Key stressors such as transportation, stocking density,
handling during loading and unloading, fasting duration, and lairage conditions were
identified as major determinants of stress intensity. These factors directly affect postmortem
muscle metabolism, influencing pH decline and leading to meat quality
defects such as DFD (dark, firm, dry) and PSE (pale, soft, exudative), as well as
carcass bruising and economic losses. Overall, the results highlight that improving
pre-slaughter management practices is essential not only for enhancing animal
welfare but also for ensuring meat quality and optimizing production efficiency within
the beef supply chain.
