Cattle recover completely from unconsciousness induced by controlled application of 150–180 kJ of 915 MHz microwave energy to the forehead

TL;DR

Cattle can be safely rendered unconscious with microwave energy and fully recover, showing no aversion to the process.

Contribution

Demonstration of a microwave-based system that induces reversible unconsciousness in cattle meeting Halal and Kosher requirements.

Findings

Unconsciousness occurred within 10 seconds of microwave energy application.

EEG showed at least 63 seconds of unconsciousness with full recovery afterward.

Animals showed no aversion when returned to the restraint box after recovery.

Abstract

•Seven cattle were rendered unconscious, then recovered.•Behavioural signs of unconsciousness occurred within 10 s of the start of energy application.•EEG indicated that the duration of unconsciousness was at least 63 s.•Animals recovered fully from unconsciousness and responded normally to environmental stimuli.•No evidence of aversion was noted when the animals were returned to the restraint box.

Seven cattle were rendered unconscious, then recovered.

Behavioural signs of unconsciousness occurred within 10 s of the start of energy application.

EEG indicated that the duration of unconsciousness was at least 63 s.

Animals recovered fully from unconsciousness and responded normally to environmental stimuli.

No evidence of aversion was noted when the animals were returned to the restraint box.

For beef to be acceptable to consumers of Halal and Kosher meat, the animal must be alive at the point of exsanguination, undamaged and, if rendered unconscious prior to slaughter, able to recover from the unconscious state if not exsanguinated. A dielectric (electromagnetic) system, trademarked DTS: Diathermic Syncope® (DTS) has the potential to address these requirements. Seven cattle were rendered unconscious using DTS at 150–180 kJ of energy. Electroencephalography (EEG) was performed prior to and after DTS energy application in 6 of these animals, while they recovered consciousness, while the seventh was handled in accordance with commercial processing procedures, without the delays involved in collecting EEG data. Five animals (4 of which had EEG recorded) were returned to the holding pen after recovery and held for a period of 30 min, during which they explored their surroundings ate hay and rested. After the observation period, they were returned to restraint, DTS energy reapplied and the carcases processed for human consumption. Loss of consciousness, based on behavioural reactions, occurred within 10 s of the start of energy application, while EEG indicated the duration of insensibility to be 63 s (based on absence of eye reflexes) or more, with a long transition to full return of consciousness. Animals recovered fully from the induced unconsciousness and responded normally to environmental stimuli. No evidence of aversion was noted when these animals were returned to the restraint box a second time, some 30 min after recovery.

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