Impact of animal stress on sheep and goat meat quality

The present study is a review of published work on how specific preslaughter factors may impact meat quality indicators in sheep and goats. Results of a wide range of publications originating in diverse regions of the world, in general, suggest that in sheep and goats, the effects of the stress encountered in the preslaughter period on meat quality indicators such as carcass weight loss, bruising, pH, color, and others are less intense and less consistent than in cattle. Stress in sheep and goats may result in variable meat quality responses depending on the specific factor that produced it, its severity and duration, and the animal factors receiving the effect such as breed, sex, age, and physiological state, all of which were found to vary greatly across studies. A more comprehensive vision of the preslaughter process altogether is needed in order to improve the welfare of sheep and goats, prevent negative effects on meat quality, and add ethical quality to the product.