title: Modulatory effect of ascorbic acid on physiological responses of transported ostrich chicks.
abstract: The aims of this study were to determine the modulating role of ascorbic acid (AA) on rectal  temperature (RT), heterophil to lymphocyte (H to L) ratio and aberrant behaviours of ostrich  chicks transported by road for 4 h during hot-dry conditions. Twenty ostrich chicks aged  2.5 months, of both sexes and belonging to the Red Neck breed, served as subjects of the study.  The chicks were assigned randomly to AA-treated and control groups, consisting of 10 chicks  each. The AA-treated group was administered orally with 100 mg/kg body weight of AA  dissolved in 5 mL of sterile water 30 min before transportation, whilst the control group was  given the equivalent of sterile water only. The thermal load (TL) experienced in the vehicle  during transportation fluctuated between 31 °C and 89 °C, as calculated from the ambient  temperature and relative humidity. Transportation induced hyperthermia, lymphopenia,  heterophilia and aberrant behaviours of pecking, wing fluffing and panting, which were  ameliorated by AA administration. The relationships between the TL, journey duration  and physiological variables of RT, H to L ratio and aberrant behaviours recorded during  transportation were significantly and positively correlated in the control group. In AA-treated  group the relationships were not significantly correlated. In conclusion, the results showed for  the first time that AA ameliorated the adverse effects of stress caused by road transportation  on the aberrant behaviours, RT and H to L ratio of ostrich chicks during the hot-dry season.
authors: College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University. mnsalka@yahoo.com.
authors: Minka N
authors: MN
authors: Salka
authors: Ayo J
authors: AJ
authors: Olusegun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid