Effect of vitamin C, electrolyte, and jaggery on transportation stress in different seasons on biochemical parameters of goats

Abstract

The present study evaluated the seasonal effects of transportation of goats (Alpine x Beetal) at different flocking densities, supplemented with Vitamin C in group I, Vitamin C + Electrolyte in group II and group III Jaggery, three days before transport of animal, during winter and hot-humid seasons. The goats were selected from LRC, NDRI Karnal, and were between 10-12 months old. Each group has been 25 goats, divided into high (15) and low (10) flocking densities, with an average speed of 25 Km/h transported for 8h. All the animals were kept off-feed and deprived of water during transportation. Blood samples were taken just before transportation, immediately after transportation, 6hrs, 12 hrs, 24 hrs, and two days post transportation from all three groups. The blood samples were further analyzed to estimate different biochemical parameters such as Glucose, GPx, and SOD. Pre-transportation values of glucose, GPx, and SOD were lower (P< 0.05), followed by a maximum increase in values after unloading in all the groups and both seasons. The values continued to decline with subsequent hours after post transportation till 24 hours. Vitamin C, Vitamin C + Electrolyte, and Jaggery supplementation helped reduce transport stress, but the combination of Vitamin C + Electrolyte was more effective in reducing the transport stress in the goats.