LAUSR

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the seasonal effects of transportation of goats (Alpine × Beetle) at different flocking densities, supplemented with vitamin C in group I, vitamin C + electrolyte in group II and jaggery in group III, 3 days before transport of animal, during winter and hot-humid seasons. The goats were selected from Livestock Research Centre (LRC), National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, and were of 10–12 months old. Each group consisted of 25 goats each, divided into high (15) and low (10) flocking densities, transported for 8 h with an average speed of 25 km/h. All the animals were kept off-feed and deprived of water during the transportation period. Blood samples were taken just before transportation, immediately after transportation, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 2 days post-transportation from all the three groups. The blood samples were further analysed for estimation of different minerals (Na, K, Cl−, P and Mg). In both the seasons and in both the flocking density groups, higher pre-transportation values (P<0.05) of Na, K, Mg and Cl- were observed whereas P values post transportation (P<0.05) were higher in hot humid season in all the treated groups and also in group III. Except for P, minimum values (P < 0.05) of all other minerals were recorded just after unloading in both the density groups and in both the seasons, which then increased to basal values (P < 0.05) after 12–24 h of post-transportation. Supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin C + electrolyte and jaggery aided in reducing transportation stress but vitamin C + electrolyte combination proved more beneficial in alleviating transportation stress in the goats. Abbreviation: fd: flocking density; Na: sodium; K: potassium; Cl-: chloride; P: phosphorous; Mg: magnesium, HH: hot humid; AA: ascorbic acid; lfd: low flocking density; hfd: high flocking density; LRC: Livestock Research Centre