Effect of transport duration and gender on rabbit carcass and meat quality

In order to evaluate the effect of transport duration and gender on carcass and meat quality, 204 rabbits were reared in individual cages from 35 d of age until slaughter at 77 d (average live weight at shipping: 2662±189 g). Before slaughter, four groups of rabbits were formed and transported for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours from the breeding unit to the slaughterhouse. Increasing the duration of transport increased transport losses (2.44% to 4.59%; P<0.001), decreased dressing percentage (59.5% to 58.9%; P<0.01) and increased the redness of the longissimus dorsi muscle (CIE a* 2.38 to 2.73; P<0.05). Commercial carcass grading for colour, conformation and fatness were not affected by transport duration. The effect of gender was appreciable at slaughter: final live weight and transport losses were higher in females than males. Dressing percentage was lower in females (59.1 vs 59.8%; P<0.01) due to the greater gut content. Carcasses of females showed a higher proportion of longissimus muscle (P<0.01). The meat of females was darker (CIE L* of biceps femoris muscle: 54.9 vs 55.9; P<0.01) and less coloured (Chroma index of longissimus lumborum muscle: 3.52 vs 3.87; P<0.05) than males.