EVALUATING STRESS AMELIORATION OF ORAL VITAMIN C IN BUCKS EXPOSED TO LONG TERM ROAD TRANSPORTATION AND STOCKING

Abstract

Forty-eight apparently healthy Sahel bucks were used in this study; sixteen were at high stocking, sixteen bucks at low stocking and sixteen not transported considered as control.  Stress of transportation was induced by transporting animals from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria to Abeokuta, South-Western Nigeria. Haematological and some biochemical parameters including stress biomarkers such as glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and thyroid hormones; triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) were assessed. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in AST, ESR at low stocking and significantly (P<0.05) increased in percentages of neutrophils at high stocking rate. Lymphocytes and eosinophils significantly (P<0.05) increased at low stocking rates. N:L and monocytes significantly (P<0.05) decreased at low stocking. Conclusively, ascorbic acid improved recovery from general adaptive syndrome of long transportation at low stocking when welfare regulation is enforced, when compare to high stocking.