Biological Rhythm Research

ISSN: 0929-1016 (Print) 1744-4179 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/nbrr20

Effect of induced transportation stress in goats

supplemented with vitamin C and jaggery during
hot dry season

Nazir Ahmad Mir, Ashutosh Ashutosh, Shahid Ahmad Shergojry, Sajad

Ahmed Wani & Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh

To cite this article: Nazir Ahmad Mir, Ashutosh Ashutosh, Shahid Ahmad Shergojry, Sajad Ahmed
Wani & Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh (2018): Effect of induced transportation stress in goats supplemented
with vitamin C and jaggery during hot dry season, Biological Rhythm Research

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2018.1452591

Published online: 21 Mar 2018.

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Biological Rhythm ReseaRch, 2018
https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2018.1452591

Effect of induced transportation stress in goats supplemented

with vitamin C and jaggery during hot dry season
Nazir Ahmad Mira, Ashutosh Ashutoshb, Shahid Ahmad Shergojryc, Sajad Ahmed
Wanid and Fayaz Ahmad Sheikhe
a
Krishi Vigyan Kendra leh, sher e Kashmir University of agricultural science and technology Kashmir, srinagar,
india; bDairy cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research instiute, Karnal, india; cKrishi Vigyan Kendra
Kulgam, sher e Kashmir University of agricultural science and technology Kashmir, srinagar, india; dDepartment
of Veterinary extension, Khalsa college of Veterinary and animal sciences, amritsar, india; eanimal Nutrition
Division, sher e Kashmir University of agricultural science and technology Kashmir, srinagar, india

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

The objective of current study was to investigate the effect of Received 3 march 2018
induced transportation stress in goats and to seek a novel approach accepted 12 march 2018
to minimize the transportation and seasonal effect on the physiology
KEYWORDS
of goats by supplementing them with Vitamin C and Jaggery before supplementation; season;
transportation. Fifty goats were selected and divided into five groups road transportation;
with ten animals in each group. Group 1 served as negative control alleviation; ascorbic acid
and was neither supplemented nor transported, while as goats in
groups 2 to group 5 were transported for 10 hours on the day of
transportation. Group 2 goats were not supplemented; group 3 goats
were supplemented with Vitamin C @180 mg/kg body weight/day;
group 4 goats were supplemented with jaggery @200g/day/animal;
group 5 was supplemented with both vitamin C and jaggery for 5
days before transportation. Effect of transportation stress varied
significantly among groups in terms of haematological, biochemical,
hormonal, mineral and blood gas parameters. Transportation up to 10
hours induced stress in goats during hot dry season as represented
by changes in different physiological parameters and body weight
shrinkages. Supplementation of Vitamin C and Jaggery aided in
reducing transportation stress individually, with variable effects on
stress response parameters and there combination synergistically
proved promising in alleviating transportation stress in goats.

1. Introduction
Domestic animals are transported for various reasons, e.g. marketing of animals, transpor-
tation of slaughter animals from herds to abattoirs, aged animal replacement from stock,
for participation in dairy melas, exhibition, fairs, sports competitions, for health status
checkup and treatment of ailing animals, shifting of animals from one place of feed and
fodder to other places. Transportation involves holding of animals, loading them on to vehi-
cle, actual transit from loading to destination, and then unloading. During transportation

CONTACT Nazir ahmad mir mir643@gmail.com

© 2018 informa UK limited, trading as taylor & Francis group
2 N. AHMAD MIR ET AL.

animals are experiencing acute stress. Goat transportation is also fast expanding due to
increased demand in goat meat and skin (Kannan et al. 2002). The majority of the studies
conducted on the transportation of goats have been done in the temperate regions of the
world (Rajion et al. 2001) and at the same time measures aimed at alleviating road transpor-
tation stress in goats are still limited (Galipalli et al. 2004; Minka and Ayo 2007). Important
limiting factors affecting goat transported by road in tropical countries are high ambient
temperature and relative humidity occurring during hot dry and hot humid seasons of the
year (Rajion et al. 2001; Minka and Ayo 2007). So the current study has been carried out to
assess the transportation stress in goats and also the likely alleviating effects of vitamin C
and jaggery supplementation during hot dry season.

2. Materials and methods

The experimental goats were taken from Livestock Research Centre of National Dairy research
Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India. Fifty (50) cross-bred female goats (Alpine x Beetle) of
12–15 months of age with an average body weight of 36 kg were selected. The experiment
was carried out during the months of May–June, during which average Temperature Humidity
Index (THI) was 81. All the goats were divided into five groups randomly based on their body
weight, so that the average body weight of each group had least variation from each other.
Group 1 served as negative control (NC) and was neither supplemented nor transported,
while as goats in groups 2 to group 5 were transported for 10 h on the day of transportation.
Group 2 goats were not supplemented with Vitamin C or jaggery and served as Positive
Control (PC); group 3 goats were supplemented with Vitamin C @180 mg/kg bd. wt/day and
served as Treatment 1 (T1); group 4 goats were supplemented with jaggery @200 g/day/
animal and served as Treatment 2 (T2); group 5 was supplemented with both vitamin C and
jaggery and served as Treatment 3 (T3). Both Vitamin C and jaggery were provided to goats
for five days prior to transportation. In order to establish dose of vitamin C, separate trials
were conducted in which Vitamin C at various doses was fed to goats. Both plasma and urine
vitamin C were estimated in each goat. Doses of vitamin C fed to goats versus concentration
in plasma and urine were plotted and also days of feeding vitamin C and its concentration
in blood and urine were plotted. Then after calculations, we concluded that feeding vitamin
C @180 mg per kg body weight/animal/day lead to peak value of vitamin C in plasma at 4th
day of feeding and at the same time there is minimum urinary loss of vitamin C at this dose
rate. Jaggery was selected based on fact that jaggery is good source of energy, minerals,
and vitamins besides being in abundance in our country. Single dose of jaggery was selected
based on our hypothesis that will energy supplement synergize with antioxidant (Vitamin
C) in alleviating transportation stress in goats.
Blood sampling was done 5 days before transportation, at the time of loading on vehicle,
at unloading from vehicle after transportation, and then 6 h, 12 h, 1 day, and 5 days post-trans-
portation. For blood gas analysis and hematology, blood was taken in 1-ml syringes and for
other parameters blood was collected in EDTA vacutainers to get plasma. Blood gas analysis
and hematology were done immediately from fresh blood samples while as plasma was
stored at −20 °C and was later used for estimation of glucose, creatine kinase, serum amyloid
A, cortisol, prolactin, and minerals (sodium, potassium, and phosphorous). Whole blood
analysis for hematology was done using BC-2800 Vet auto hematological analyzer using a
goat-specific program. Blood gas analysis was done using blood gas analyzer (stat profile
 BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM RESEARCH 3

pHox). Biochemical parameters, hormones, and minerals were estimated using commercially
available kits. Skin temperature was measured using infrared Tele-thermometer (Raytek,
Model Raynger ST2L, M/s. Surrey Scientific, Surrey, U.K). Body weight was measured with
the help of electronic weighing balance in early morning before feeding on each day of
sampling. Data analysis was carried out using Sigma plot 11. Mean values at different sam-
pling times were compared with respective basal mean values of each group using one-way
ANOVA with post-test as Dunnets multiple comparison.

3. Results
3.1. Hematological parameters
Hb (g %) level increased significantly (P < 0.01) in PC group after transportation and remained
higher from basal value throughout the study period, i.e. up to 5 days after transportation.
In T1 and T3 groups, Hb (g %) level increased due to transportation and remained elevated
up to 12 h after transportation, while in T2 group Hb (g %) level remained elevated up to
2 days after transportation.
PCV in PC group increased from basal value of 24.84 ± 0.48% to 36.44 ± 0.59% at unload-
ing. The PCV remained significantly (P < 0.01) higher in PC group after transportation up to
2 days. In T1 and T2 groups, PCV increased due to transportation and remained significantly
(P < 0.01) higher up to 12 h after transportation. In T3 group PCV was higher only at unloading
and then returned to normal value afterwards.
RBC concentration in PC group was highest at unloading with value of 13.78 ± 0.25 (×
106/μL), while in other treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) it was 12.31 ± 0.22, 12.85 ± 0.25, and
12.30 ± 0.20 (× 106/μL), respectively. In PC and T2 groups, the RBC concentration was higher
up to 2 days after transportation as compared to their respective basal values before trans-
portation. In T1 group, RBC concentration remained significantly higher only up to 6 h after
transportation and then returned to normal basal value while in T3 group RBC concentration
remained higher up to 12 h after transportation.
WBC concentration increased significantly after 10 h of transportation in goats with peak
values of 10.77 ± 0.29, 9.08 ± 0.24, 9.59 ± 0.18, and 8.94 ± 0.15 (× 103/μL) in PC, T1, T2, and T3
groups, respectively. In PC and T2 groups, WBC concentration increased post-transportation
and remained significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared to basal value at unloading and 12
h after transportation. In T3 group, WBC concentration was significantly higher at unloading
and 6 h post-transportation and then returned to normal basal level.
In PC and T2 groups, neutrophil count increased post-transportation and remained sig-
nificantly (P < 0.01) higher at unloading, 6 h, 12 h, and 2 days post-transportation as com-
pared to normal basal values before transportation. In T1 and T3 groups, significant (P < 0.01)
difference was found only at unloading and 6 h post-transportation as compared to basal
values.
Lymphocyte count decreased from normal basal values of 56.32 ± 1.23, 54.78 ± 1.18,
57.35 ± 1.16, and 55.08 ± 1.22% to lower values of 43.71 ± 1.14, 48.25 ± 1.16, 45.23 ± 1.22,
and 49.19 ± 1.17% at unloading in PC, T1, T2, and T3 groups, respectively. In PC and T2 groups,
the lymphocyte count differed significantly (P < 0.01) at unloading, 6 h, 12 h, and 2 days post
transportation from their normal basal values. In T1 group, significant (P < 0.01) difference
from basal value was found at unloading and 6 h post-transportation, while in T3 group
significant difference was found only at unloading.
4 N. AHMAD MIR ET AL.

Significant (P < 0.01) higher value of NL ratio was found in all transported groups of goats
i.e. PC (1.06 ± 0.08), T1 (0.86 ± 0.04), T2 0.99 ± 0.02), and T3 (0.82 ± 0.05) at unloading compared
to their respective basal values before transportation. In PC and T2 groups, NL ratio was
higher also at 6 h post-transportation while in T1 and T3 groups no significant difference was
found at 6 h post-transportation.

3.2. Biochemical parameters

Glucose level in PC, T1, T2, and T3 groups was significantly (P < 0.01) higher after transportation
as compared to their respective basal values before transportation. The glucose level was
significantly higher at unloading and remained elevated up to 2 days after transportation
in all transported groups of goats. There was about 50% increase in glucose level at unloading
as compared to basal glucose level in all transported groups of goats.
Creatine kinase activity (U/L) in PC group was significantly (P < 0.01) higher after trans-
portation and remained higher even up to 5 days after transportation. In T1, T2, and T3 groups,
creatine kinase activity (U/L) was also higher after transportation and remained higher up
to 2 days of transportation. The peak value of creatine kinase activity (U/L) was obtained at
6 h after transportation in all the transported groups.
SAA (mg/L) concentration increased significantly (P < 0.01) in all transported (PC, T1, T2,
and T3) groups of goats after transportation and remained significantly higher from basal
values at 6 h, 12 h, and 2 days after transportation. The peak values of SAA were obtained
at 12 h after transportation in all transported (PC, T1, T2, and T3) groups with respective peak
values of 26.73 ± 0.59, 13.71 ± 0.42, 25.40 ± 0.38, and 9.47 ± 0.62 mg/L. There was 5.7, 3.5,
5.2, and 2.1 times increase in SAA concentration from basal values to peak values in PC, T1,
T2, and T3 groups, respectively.

3.3. Hormones
Cortisol level in PC group was significantly (P < 0.01) higher after transportation and remained
significantly higher up to 12 h after transportation as compared to basal normal value at
5 days before transportation. In T1 and T3 groups, cortisol level was higher only at unloading
and then declined to normal level at 6 h after transportation while in T2 group it declined to
normal level only after 12 h.
Prolactin concentration at unloading and 6 h post-transportation was significantly (P <
0.01) higher from basal value in T1 group. In T2 group, significant difference was found at 6
h post-transportation, while in T1 and T3 groups no significant (P > 0.01) difference of prolactin
concentration was found between basal value and post-transportation values. At unloading,
the peak values of prolactin in PC, T1, T2, and T3 groups were 28.56 ± 1.42, 19.27 ± 1.34,
29.12 ± 1.37, and 18.83 ± 1.08 μg/L, respectively.

3.4. Blood minerals

In PC group, sodium concentration decreased due to transportation and was significantly
(P < 0.05) lower at unloading (142.48 ± 1.18 mEq/L), 6 h (141.29 ± 1.16 mEq/L), and 12 h
(145.23 ± 1.12 mEq/L) post-transportation. In T1 group, sodium concentration was signifi-
cantly lower from unloading (144.27 ± 1.15 mEq/L) up to 2 days (148.65 ± 1.02 mEq/L)
 BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM RESEARCH 5

post-transportation. In T2 group, sodium concentration remained significantly lower up to

5 days post-transportation. In T3 group, sodium concentration was significantly (P < 0.05)
lower at unloading (140.65 ± 1.12 mEq/L), 6 h (142.35 ± 1.10 mEq/L) post-transportation
while in NC group sodium concentration was significantly higher at unloading (156.65 ±
1.12 mEq/L), 6 h (156.34 ± 1.13 mEq/L) post-transportation.
In PC group, potassium concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) lower at unloading
(3.04 ± 0.15 mEq/L), 6 h (3.08 ± 0.13 mEq/L), and 12 h (3.18 ± 0.17 mEq/L) post-transportation
as compared to basal value (3.84 ± 0.13 mEq/L) before transportation. In T1 group, potassium
concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) lower at unloading (3.17 ± 0.22 mEq/L), 6 h
(3.08 ± 0.13 mEq/L), and 12 h (3.18 ± 0.17 mEq/L) post-transportation as compared to basal
value (4.13 ± 0.15 mEq/L) before transportation. In T2 group, potassium concentration was
significantly (P < 0.05) lower at unloading (3.25 ± 0.11 mEq/L) and 6 h (3.38 ± 0.13 mEq/L)
post-transportation compared to basal value (3.93 ± 0.12 mEq/L) before transportation. In
T3 group, potassium concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) lower at unloading
(3.54 ± 0.14 mEq/L), 6 h (3.65 ± 0.12 mEq/L), and 12 h (3.57 ± 0.15 mEq/L) post-transportation
as compared to basal value (4.23 ± 0.12 mEq/L) before transportation.
In PC group, phosphorous concentration increased due to transportation. There was sig-
nificant (P < 0.05) increase in phosphorous concentration at unloading (7.89 ± 0.23 mg/dL),
6 h (7.85 ± 0.18 mg/dL), 12 h (7.67 ± 0.19 mg/dL), and 2 days (7.28 ± 0.16 mg/dL) post-trans-
portation compared to normal basal value (5.76 ± 0.17 mg/dL) before transportation. In T1
group, there was significant (P < 0.05) difference in phosphorous concentration at unloading
(7.64 ± 0.21 mg/dL), 6 h (7.56 ± 0.17 mg/dL), and 12 h (7.59 ± 0.18 mg/dL) post-transporta-
tion as compared to basal values (6.12 ± 0.18 mg/dL) before transportation. In T2 and T3
groups, no significant (P < 0.05) difference was found in phosphorous concentration before
and after transportation.
In PC group, magnesium concentration decreased due to transportation and was signif-
icantly (P < 0.05) lower at unloading (2.56 ± 0.23 mg/dL), 6 h (2.64 ± 0.21 mg/dL), 12 h
(2.61 ± 0.16 mg/dL), and 2 days (2.78 ± 0.15 mg/dL) post-transportation compared to basal
value before transportation. In T1 group, magnesium concentration was significantly (P <
0.05) lower at unloading (2.86 ± 0.20 mg/dL) and 6 h (2.84 ± 0.18 mg/dL) post-transportation
compared to basal value (3.49 ± 0.11 mg/dL) before transportation. In T2 and T3 groups, no
significant (P > 0.05) difference was found in magnesium concentration before and after
transportation.

3.5. Blood gas analysis

pCO2 in all transported (PC, T1, T2, and T3) groups of goats decreased from their normal basal
values of 51.47 ± 0.80, 49.70 ± 0.45, 50.84 ± 0.59, and 51.82 ± 0.60 mm Hg before transpor-
tation to lowest values of 41.01 ± 0.75, 44.81 ± 0.85, 42.39 ± 0.69, and 44.05 ± 0.83 mm Hg
at unloading. There was significant (P < 0.01) difference of pCO2 between basal value and
unloading in all transported groups of goats. On comparing transported (PC, T1, T2, and T3)
groups with NC group, all groups differed significantly from NC group at unloading.
The partial pressure (pO2) values were significantly (P < 0.01) higher at unloading after
10 h of transportation in all groups of goats; however, the values returned to normal basal
values after 12 h.
6 N. AHMAD MIR ET AL.

There was no significant P > 0.05 difference of pH in any group (NC, PC, T1, T2, and T3) of
goats, although in transported groups of goats pH increased slightly, i.e. towards alkalinity
but it was not significant statistically.

3.6. Physiological parameters

Respiration rate of all transported groups of goats was significantly (P < 0.01) higher at
unloading as compared to basal values before transportation. The respiration rate increased
from basal values of 25.29 ± 1.34, 24.04 ± 1.28, 23.68 ± 1.34, and 24.14 ± 1.38 to maximum
values 34.66 ± 1.47, 33.84 ± 1.28, 35.04 ± 1.39, and 33.24 ± 1.46 at unloading in PC, T1, T2,
and T3 groups of goats, respectively. No significant difference was found in respiration rate
after 6 h of transportation in any transported groups of goats.
Pulse rate was elevated in PC, T2, and T3 groups due to transportation and was significantly
(P < 0.01) higher at unloading as compared to respective basal values before transportation.
In T1 group no significant (P > 0.01) difference of pulse rate was found before and after
transportation.
There was significant (P < 0.01) rise in rectal temperature from basal values of 102.05 ± 0.22,
102.78 ± 0.19, 102.27 ± 0.24, and 101.97 ± 0.18 °F to peak values of 103.87 ± 0.22,
103.37 ± 0.25, 103.76 ± 0.23, and 103.28 ± 0.24 °F at unloading in PC, T1, T3, and T3 groups of
goats, respectively. In PC, T2, and T3 groups, rectal temperature was significantly (P < 0.01)
higher at unloading and 6 h post-transportation as compared to basal values before trans-
portation, while in T1 group no significant (P > 0.01) difference of rectal temperature was
found before and after transportation.
Skin temperature increased in all transported (PC, T1, T2, and T3) groups of goats. There
was significant (P < 0.01) difference of skin temperature at unloading in all transported
groups. The skin temperature increased from basal values of 34.09 ± 1.26, 35.65 ± 1.08,
34.69 ± 1.32, and 35.59 ± 1.03 °C before transportation to peak values of 46.32 ± 1.35,
42.32 ± 1.42, 44.65 ± 1.27, and 42.06 ± 1.26 at unloading in PC, T1, T2, and T3 groups, respec-
tively. The skin temperature dropped down immediately post-transportation in all groups
and returned to normal basal values at 6 h after transportation.

3.7. Body weight

Body weight of PC group was significantly (P < 0.01) lower after transportation and remained
lower up to 2 days after transportation. There was average 2.7 kg (7.87%) shrinkage in body
weight in PC group after transportation at unloading. In T1 and T2 groups, body weight was
significantly (P < 0.01) lower at unloading only compared to basal body weight before trans-
portation, while in T3 group there was no significant difference in body weight before and
after transportation.

4. Discussion
4.1. Hematological parameters
The increase in Hb concentration in transported groups is in agreement with other workers,
who also reported increase in Hb concentration after transportation. Ambore et al. 2009
 BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM RESEARCH 7

observed that transporting goat for 12 h over a distance of about 350 km had increased Hb
concentration. Similarly, (Minka and Ayo 2010) reported that in ascorbic acid supplemented
goats plasma Hb levels returned to normal level within 3 days post-transportation while in
control goats it was significantly higher on same day.
The increase in PCV due to transportation in goats can be due to dehydration, which led
to hemo-concentration and similar results have been reported by different workers. Goats
transported for 12 h over a distance of about 350 km revealed significant increase in the
hematocrit (Ambore et al. 2009). Similarly, (Plyaschenko and Sidorov 1987), Rajion et al. 2001)
also reported higher hematocrit values in goats after transportation.
The increase in RBC concentration can be due to (i) more immature RBCs recruited into
circulation to meet the increased oxygen demand; (ii) release of more RBCs into circulation
due to splenic contraction; (iii) secondary effect of dehydration. The increase in RBC concen-
tration due to transportation in goats is also depicted by study of (Kumar 2014) who reported
that the RBCs values increased after 8 h of transportation and attained the pre-transportation
level after 24 h of post-transportation.
The increase in neutrophil count due to transportation in current study can be due to (i)
Demargination of neutrophils, (ii) delayed apoptosis of neutrophils, (iii) stimulation of stem
cells by growing factors like granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The findings are
in concomitance with those of (Kannan et al. 2000), who also reported an increased percent-
age of neutrophil and decreased lymphocytes due to transportation stress and the N:L ratios
were higher at all time periods after transportation than prior to the beginning of transpor-
tation of goats.
The decrease in lymphocyte count due to transportation in current study can be due to
(i) Margination and redistribution of lymphocytes within lymphatic system, i.e. reticulo-en-
dothelial system; (ii) Marked accelerated apoptosis of lymphocytes; (iii) Higher serum con-
centration of catecholamines, prolactin, and cortisol can also induce lymphocytopenia.

4.2. Biochemical parameters

4.2.1. Glucose
The increase in plasma glucose during the post-transportation period may be due to increase
in glycogenolysis, stimulated by increased secretions of catecholamine and glucocorticoid
hormones, which are under the control of the sympathetic nervous system. An increase in
plasma glucose level as a response to transportation stress was also reported for lambs (Ekiz
et al. 2011) and goats (Kannan et al. 2000, 2003; Kumar 2014). Lower increase of glucose
level in vitamin C supplemented groups as compared to PC groups can be due to fact that
exogenous supplementation of vitamin C either eliminated or reduced the need for endog-
enous synthesis of ascorbate, as the increase in glucose in PC group can partially be attrib-
uted to increased synthesis of ascorbate

4.2.2. Creatine Kinase

Creatine kinase (CK) increases in the blood after tissue damage, poor muscular tissue rep-
erfusion, and increase in the permeability of muscle membrane. Basically, CK catalyzes the
reversible transfer of phosphate from ATP to creatine, and hence plays a role in temporal
energy buffering by maintaining an adequate ATP/ADP ratio during interruption of energy
8 N. AHMAD MIR ET AL.

supply or during changing energy demand. The increase in creatine kinase (CK) in all trans-
ported groups of goats can be due to the above-mentioned causes.

4.2.3. Serum Amyloid

A The delayed increase in Serum Amyloid A in all transported groups of goats can be due
to (i) Stimulus for triggering SAA synthesis may have occurred only during last hours of
transportation i.e. 9–10th hour of transportation, during which goats were fatigued and
more stressed. (ii) Steroids (e.g. Cortisol) are known to have permissive effect on hepatic SAA
synthesis and thus SAA synthesis was triggered only after cortisol levels were elevated to a
level to have permissive effect on SAA synthesis. Serum concentration of serum amyloid A
(75.43 ± 2.11) was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in calves transported for 4 h in open truck
when compared with control calves 23.9 ± 0.56 mg/l. (EL-Deeb and El-Bahr 2014).

4.3. Hormones
4.3.1. Cortisol
The increase in cortisol in transported groups of goats might be due to activation of sym-
pathetic nervous system. In vitamin C-supplemented groups, the cortisol level was either
not elevated or returned to normal basal values immediately; this can be due to reduced
synthesis or secretion of cortisol and/or breakdown of cortisol by vitamin C; however, exact
mechanisms are yet to be fully understood. The increase in cortisol due to transportation
stress in our study is also corroborated by other workers, e.g. Kannan et al. 2000; Grigor et
al. 2004, and Ekiz et al. 2011.

4.3.2. Prolactin
The elevated prolactin due to transportation may be involved in meeting the electrolyte
and water requirements during transportation stress. Increase in prolactin concentration in
goats during heat stress has been reported. Sivakumar et al. 2010 reported prolactin level
in the heat stress group of goats increased and also differed significantly from either control
or treatment groups. Similar increase in prolactin levels during heat stress was also reported
by (Abdel-Samee et al. 1992) in goats.

4.4. Blood minerals

4.4.1. Sodium
The decrease in blood sodium concentration can be due to (i) inhibitory effect of cortisol
on anti diuretic hormone (ADH), thus inhibiting its water retentive effect and hence dieresis;
(ii) cortisol increases secretion and efficiency of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) due to which
there is enhanced water excretion. However, some reports show that plasma concentrations
of Na remain within the normal values in transported cattle, steer, and calves (Atkinson 1992;
Parker et al. 2003b).

4.4.2. Potassium
Lower potassium concentration post-transportation as indicated by our results is also in
agreement with other authors. Parker et al. 2003b reported that transported Bos indicus
steers animals had lower concentrations of plasma K compared to control animals. It is well
 BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM RESEARCH 9

recognized that stressor-induced activation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis stim-

ulates the secretion of cortisol, resulting in the excretion of K (Parker et al. 2003a). The hypo-
kalemia associated with the transported group may also be the result of a lack of feed intake.

4.4.3. Phosphorous
In T2 and T3 groups, phosphorous concentration was not affected by transportation during
any season indicating the role of jaggery in maintaining phosphorous level of transported
goats. Galyean et al. 1981 reported plasma phosphate ion concentration to be higher in
fasted and transported animals for 32 h. However, some workers have reported no change
in phosphate concentration in transported animals. Plasma concentrations of Ca, Na, Cl, and
P were observed to remain within the normal values in transported cattle, steer, and calves.
(Atkinson 1992; Parker et al. 2003b).

4.4.4. Magnesium
The decrease in magnesium concentration in goats due to transportation in our study is
corroborated by other workers also. Blood magnesium level of jaggery-supplemented goats
was not affected due to transportation in our study, which can be attributed to the fact that
jaggery being a good source of minerals especially magnesium. As jaggery was fed for 5 days
before transportation, goats may have built up higher blood magnesium concentration.

4.5. Blood gas analysis

4.5.1. pCO2
The reduction in pCO2 in our study might be due to: (i) reduced CO2-combining capacity
with hemoglobin and (ii) excessive elimination of CO2 by hyperventilation. The lower value
of pCO2 in transported animals is also reported by (Parker et al. 2003b).

4.5.2. pO2
The increase in pO2 in our study might be due to increased alveolar ventilation, as respiration
rate increased in order to meet more oxygen demand of body under stress. The increase in
pO2 value in transported calves is also reported by (Steinhardt and Thielscher2000).

4.5.3. Blood pH
The insignificant change in blood pH can be due to efficient buffering mechanism in goats.
The insignificant effect on blood pH due to transportation in our study is also supported by
various workers including Parker et al. 2003b; Schaefer et al. 1988; Salama et al. 2014.

4.6. Physiological parameters

The increase in physiological responses due to transportation is also reporte by Minka et al.
2009; Zulkifli et al. 2010; Das et al. 2001; Kassab and Mohammed 2014. The insignificant
increase of rectal temperature in Vitamin C-supplemented groups can be due to fact that
vitamin C and E directly alter thermal set point by decreasing prostaglandin output, especially
PGE series, whose turn over increases during stress and which has a direct effect on hypo-
thalamic thermoregulatory zone.
10 N. AHMAD MIR ET AL.

4.7. Live weight shrinkage

The live weight shrinkage in transported goats can be partly contributed to dehydration as
represented by increased PCV of transported goats and can be also contributed to increased
protein catabolism due to increased Cortisol. The insignificant live body weight shrinkage
in vitamin C groups can be due to less muscle catabolism. Live weight shrinkage as found
in our study is also reported by various workers; however, the percent shrinkage varies with
transport duration, age of animals and climatic conditions. Live weight shrinkage due to
transportation is reported by Knowles and Warriss 2007; Minka et al. 2009; Ritter et al. 2008.
Lower body weight shrinkage in vitamin C supplemented goats has also been reported by
Minka and Ayo, 2007.

5. Conclusion
Transportation up to 10 h induced stress in goats during hot humid season as represented
by changes in different physiological parameters and body weight shrinkages.
Supplementation of Vitamin C and Jaggery aided in reducing transportation stress individ-
ually, with variable effects on stress response parameters however there combination syn-
ergistically proved promising in alleviating transportation stress in goats.

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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