The impact of pig breed on stress levels and meat quality: a study on mangalita purebred and Duroc x Landrace crossbred pigs in Romania

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the impact of pig breed on stress levels and meat quality in two commercial farms north-eastern part Romania. One farm raised 52 Mangalita pure-bred pigs other 82 Duroc x Landrace crossbred pigs. Serum cortisol, a biomarker stress, serum glucose were measured before after slaughtering, while pH was at 45 minutes 24 hours post-mortem. Results showed that had higher cortisol values slaughtering compared purebred The breeds similar, with pH45 pH24 being 6.67 5.48 for 6.53 5.52 purebred, respectively. These results suggest can have an quality, showing not affected by pig. Further research is needed confirm these findings understand underlying mechanisms.