EXCITABILITY SCORES OF PIGS ADMINISTERED ASCORBIC ACID AND TRANSPORTED FOR EIGHT HOURS DURING THE HARMATTAN SEASON
A.Y. ADENKOLA, J.O. AYO, A.K.B. SACKEY and N. S. MINKA

Abstract
Experiments were performed with the aim of investigating the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) administration on excitability of pigs transported by road for eight hours. Seventeen pigs served as experimental animals and were administered AA orally and individually at the dose of 250 mg/kg dissolved in 10 ml of sterile water. Twelve pigs given only 10 ml each of sterile water per os served as controls. During weighing of the pigs, excitability scores were recorded in each pig, before and immediately after road transportation using a standard method. A score of one to four was allocated to each pig, with a higher score representing greater excitability. Excitability scores decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in control pigs immediately after the 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.

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