EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID ON RECTAL TEMPERATURE IN RED SOKOTO GOATS EXPOSED TO HEAT STRESS DURING THE EARLY RAINY SEASON

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of administration of ascorbic acid on rectal temperature of Red Sokoto goats exposed to heat stress during the early raining season. Ten goats of both sexes served as subjects for the study. Five goats (experimental) administered with ascorbic acid (AA) per os at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg thrice, a week apart. While, five goats administered with distilled water per os served as controls. RT was collected from an hour after each administration of ascorbic acid through 13 th hour. The goats administered ascorbic acid had a consistently lower RT values than those of control goats throughout the study period from 1hr – 13hr post administration of ascorbic acid. The lowest hourly temperature of 37.0±0.27 0 C was obtained in experimental goats at 12hrs post administration, while the highest value of 38.1±0.33 0 C was recorded at 1hr post administration. The overall mean values of RT in control and experimental Red Sokoto goats were 38.00 ± 0.09 0 C and 37.55 ± 0.08 0 C, respectively (P < 0.05). The goats administered ascorbic acid had a consistently lower RT values than those of control goats throughout the study period from 1hr – 13hrs post administration. Thus, the administration of ascorbic acid may be beneficial to goats during the early rainy season as it reduces the negative effects of thermal environmental stress on rectal temperature.