Ascorbic acid administration as anti-stress before transportation of sheep

Abstract EN

Currently in Egypt there is no regulation ruling over transportation of animals.

The aims of the current study were to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid administration (125 mg/kg) before transportation in an open truck during summer season on live weight loss, and some physiological responses, in New Valley governorate, Egypt.

Fourteen Farafra male sheep, 35.0 ± 3.86 kg body weight and aged 11-12 months were used in this study.

Animals were divided into two equal groups (7/each group) as not-administered and administered ascorbic acid groups.

Animals were transported in an open truck covering a distance of approximately 225 km for three hours.

Before loading and after transportation, rectal temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate as thermal responses were recorded.

In addition, two blood samples were collected before and after transportation from each animal.

Complete blood samples were investigated to determine hematological parameters.

Also, blood serum samples were analyzed for hormones (T3, T4 and cortisol) and some blood metabolites (total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, ALT, AST, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol).

The results indicated that transportation caused adverse changes as a results of stress in live body weight losses, hematological parameters and some blood metabolites.

Ascorbic acid administration lowered effect of stress caused by transportation through modulating physiological responses.

Therefore, administration of ascorbic acid in sheep before transport especially at high ambient temperatures can be recommended.