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Physiological Responses of Saidi Sheep to Road Transportation Stress under Subtropical Conditions

Research Authors
Daghash, MW.H., M. N. Abd El-Ati, F. M. Allam and S. F. Abbas
Research Abstract

Twenty one saidi rams with an average body weight of 34.87 ± 1.87 were used to study the effect of road transportation on body weight and some physiological traits under Upper Egypt conditions . Three separate trials were carried out using 7 Saidi rams for each trial. The lasted time between each trial was three weeks. For the first trial, the rams were transported and fed ad libitum (G1), for the second trial (G2), the rams were fasted and transported , while the third trial (G3) the rams were transported and drenched 5% glucose supplementation (1 litter / ram). All rams were subjected to four hours of travel distance of about 280 km at a speed (70-80 km/hour). Live BW, some physiological parameters and blood samples were taken before transportation, immediately after arrival (0h, 2h and 4h) after transportation from all animals. Results indicated that transportation induced loss in BW in all groups. After 4h from arrival, average BW returned to the same before transportation in G2 and G3 when compared with G1 group. Transportation resulted in a increase (P<0.01) of respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature in treated rams. The values of hemoglobin, red blood cells, total protein, albumin and glucose concentrations were decrease (P<0.01), while platelets count and urea levels were increased (P<0.01) due to transportation stress. In conclusion, transportation stress caused some physiological and metabolic changes that can in turn adversely affect animal performance and welfare. Supplementation of 5% glucose solution to animals led to alleviate transportation stress in term of controlling physiological functions and blood metabolites.

Research Department
Research Journal
The 16 AAAP Animal Science Congress, November 10-14. Yogakarta, Indonesia
Research Publisher
The 16 AAAP Animal Science Congress,
Research Rank
3
Research Year
2014