Pigs of three genetics lineages A, B and C marketed in Brazil, with alive weight from 100 to 120 kg were submitted to the manual electric stunning (Karl Schermer 220-230/250 volts, 45-60 Hz and 1.4 -1.5 A) and to the collective gaseous system (COMBI-BUTINA 90% CO2). Blood samples, for levels determination of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate and cortisol, as well as samples of the semimembranosus muscle (10 g) for the determination of the gene halothane, were collected. Being compared the electric and gaseous stunning systems, the electric stunning did demonstrate to be more stressful providing larger plasmatic concentrations of cortisol ( p < 0.001) and lactate ( p < 0.001) for the genetic lineages A and C, in the studied conditions.However it didn't observe significant differences beween the sanguine indicators and stunning systems in subject when the lineage B was considered. Significant differences among the genetic lineages A, B and C were obtained being compared the plasmatic values of creatine phosphokinase (p < 0.001), lactate (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.001) when stunned with the gaseous system, however when the electric system was used only the cortisol values presented significant differences (p < 0.001). The presence of the gene halothane (Nn) was only observed in the lineage B.
stunning; welfare animal; swine; stress
