%0 Journal Article
%T Physiological and Behavioral Indicators to Measure Crustacean Welfare
%A Catherine E. Stanley
%A Elena Piana
%A Rebecca Adams
%A Robin L. Cooper
%J Animals | An Open Access Journal from MDPI
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110914
%X This project determined how neural circuits are affected during warming by examining sensory neurons, the neuromuscular junction, and the cardiac function and behavior of the commercially important crustacean species, the red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii). Rapid inactivation of neural function in crustaceans prior to slaughter is important to limit exposure to noxious stimuli, thus improving animal welfare. This study demonstrated that as a crayfish is warmed at 1 ˇăC/min, the heart beat stops at 44 ˇăC. When temperature is rapidly increased, at 44 ˇăC synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction ceases and primary sensory neurons stop functioning. Even though animals do not respond to stimuli after being warmed to 44 ˇăC, if sensory neurons are returned to 20 ˇăC saline after two minutes, they may regain function. Conversely, the neuromuscular junction does not regain function after two minutes in 44 ˇăC saline. Examining behavior and heart rate while warming at 1 ˇăC/min, 12 ˇăC/min, or 46 ˇăC/min to 80 ˇăC indicated that at approximately 40 ˇăC the heart rate is altered. Within 10 s at 80 ˇăC, the heart stops with the highest heating rate. Directly placing crayfish in boiling water stopped the heart quickest, within 10 s, which likely represents denaturing of the tissue by heat. Using an impedance measure to detect a heartbeat may also be influenced by movements in the denaturing process of the tissue. A rapid increase in the temperature of the crayfish above 44 ˇăC is key to limit its exposure to noxious stimuli
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/11/914