|
        |
     |
| |
J Vet Sci. 2006 Jun;7(2):127-131 |
|
| |
Excitability scores of goats administered ascorbic acid and transported during hot-dry conditions
J. O. Ayo1, N. S. Minka2,*, M. Mamman1 |
| |
1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2College of Agriculture and Animal Science, P.M.B. 2134, Ahmadu Bello University, Mando Kaduna, Nigeria. mnsalka@yahoo.com |
| |
In this study, we investigated the effect of ascorbic acid
(AA) administration on goat excitability due to transportation.
Ten goats administered AA (p.o.) at 100 mg/kg of body
weight before transportation served as the experimental
group, and seven goats administered only 10 ml/kg of
sterile water (p.o.) served as controls. Excitability scores
were recorded for each goat; when weighed, before,
immediately after, and 3 h after 8 h of transportation. A
score of one to four was allocated to each goat; higher
scores represent greater excitability. Immediately after
transportation, excitability scores decreased significantly,
especially those of control goats (p < 0.001). At 3 h posttransportation,
the excitability scores of animals in the
experimental group were not significantly (p>0.05)
different from their pre-transportation normal values,
whereas those of control goats were significantly lower
(p < 0.01). The correlation i.e. the relationship between
excitability score values and percent excitability
(percentage of goat with particular excitability score) for
different excitability score group 3 h post-transportation
was positive and highly significant (p < 0.001), in both
experimental and control goats. Our results indicate that
road transportation induces considerable stress (depression)
in goats as evidenced by a lower excitability score posttransportation.
Moreover, the administration of AA pretransportation
facilitated the transition from a state of
depression to excitation. In conclusion, AA administration
to animals prior to transportation may ameliorate the
depression often encountered after road transportation.
|
|
| |
|