Original scientific paper

Excitability scores of pigs administered ascorbic acid and transported during the harmattan season

Yahaya Adeshina Adenkola ; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
Joseph Olusegun Ayo ; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Anthony Kojo Bedu ; Department of Surgery and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria
Alexander Babatunde Adelaiye ; Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria
Ndalso Salka Minka ; College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Experiments were performed with the aim of investigating the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) administration on the excitability of pigs transported by road for four hours. Sixteen pigs served as experimental animals and were administered AA orally and individually at a dose of 250 mg/kg dissolved in 20 mL of sterile water, while thirteen pigs were administered only 20 mL each of sterile water per os as controls. While the pigs were being weighed, excitability scores were recorded for each pig, before and immediately after road transportation
using a standard method. A score of one to four was allocated to each pig, a higher score representing greater excitability. Excitability scores decreased significantly (P<0.05) in control pigs immediately after transportation. The results show that road transportation induced considerable stress followed by depression, as evidenced by a lower excitability score recorded post-transportation in control pigs. The administration of AA pre-transportation resulted in the maintenance of excitability of the central nervous system in the experimental pigs following road transportation. In conclusion, AA administration to pigs prior to road transportation during the harmattan season ameliorates the depression induced by the journey, and may enhance their health and productivity.

Keywords

ascorbic acid; excitability score; pigs; road transportation

Hrčak ID:

45607

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/45607

Publication date:

26.10.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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