title: Hydration state of goats transported by road for 12 hours during the hot-dry conditions and the modulating role of ascorbic acid.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of 12 hr of road transportation during the hot-dry conditions and the modulating role of ascorbic acid (AA) on the hydration state of goats. Twenty goats who served as treatment goats received oral administration of 100 mg/kg body weight of AA, whereas another 20 control goats received sterile water; thereafter, the goats were loaded and transported. The study determined changes in skin thickness; albumin (Alb); total protein (TP); elimination of the gut content; fecal water; urine specific gravity (SG); and pH before, during, and after the transportation. The result obtained in the control goats showed significant (p < .05) increases in the values of TP, Alb, urine SG, and pH; elimination; and drinking behavior, whereas skin thickness decreased over transportation. In the treatment goats who were administered AA, the changes observed in the values were insignificant (p > .05). In conclusion, 12-hr road transportation of goats induced dehydration, which may affect the welfare and health status of the goats. The administration of AA ameliorated the risk of adverse effects of handling, loading, transportation, and hot-dry conditions on hydration state of goats.
authors: College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Mando-Kaduna, Nigeria. mnsalka@yahoo.com
authors: Salka Ndazo
authors: SN
authors: Minka
authors: Joseph Olusegun
authors: JO
authors: Ayo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003681:Dehydration / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006813:Humidity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013046:Specific Gravity / Q000187:drug effects; D014186:Transportation; D014556:Urine / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid