抄録
Experiments were performed to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid in reducing haemato-biochemical changes in pack donkeys during the cold-dry (harmattan) season. Six experimental donkeys administered orally with ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg), and six control donkeys, not administered with ascorbic acid, were subjected to packing. Blood samples were collected from all donkeys for haematological and biochemical analyses. In the control donkeys, packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte count and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) decreased significantly (P<0.05) at the end of packing. In the experimental donkeys, there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-packing values of PCV, erythrocyte count and Hb. In the control donkeys, the neutrophil and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio increased significantly (P<0.05) post-packing, but in the experimental donkeys, the pre- and post-packing values were not significantly different. Eosinophil count increased significantly (P<0.05) in experimental and control donkeys post-packing. In conclusion, packing exerted significant adverse effects on the haematological parameters, ameliorated by AA administration. AA may modulate neutrophilia and induce a considerable alteration of erythroid markers in donkeys subjected to packing during the harmattan season.
