




































In ternationa l
Scholars
Journa ls

 

African Journal of Pig Farming ISSN 2375-0731 Vol. 5 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2017. Available online at 
www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 

Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 

 

Full Length Research Paper 

 

Rectal temperature responses of pigs transported 

by road and administered with ascorbic acid 

during the hot-dry season 
 

O. O. Asala1*, J. O. Ayo2, P. I. Rekwot3, N. S. Minka4 and A. Y. Adenkola5
 

 
1
National Veterinary Research Institute, P. M. B. 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. 

2
Department of Veterinary 

Physiology and Pharmacology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. 
3
National Animal 

Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. 
4
College of Agriculture and Animal Science, 

Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, Nigeria. 
5
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of 

Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. 
 

Accepted 09 November, 2016 
 
Experiments were performed in order to determine the rectal temperature (RT) responses of pigs to eight-hour 
road transportation and the effect of administration of ascorbic acid (AA) on the responses in transported pigs 
during the hot -dry season. Twenty three experimental pigs were given AA orally and individually at 100 mg/kg 
prior to the transportation, while thirteen control pigs were administered with 20 ml of drinking water. The RTs 
of the pigs were measured by inserting a clinical thermometer (Hartman Company, England) into the rectum via 
the anus. The ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were measured concurrently with the RT. 
The AT and RH values ranged between 23.5 - 39.0°C and 43 - 97% respectively. The values were outside the 
thermo-neutral zone for the pig, indicating that the season was thermally stressful. The AT values, which 
fluctuated with the hour of the day and increased with the hour of the journey, were significantly (P < 0.001) and 
positively correlated with RT values in both experimental (r = 0.941) and control pigs (r = 0.942). The overall 
mean RT value of 39.8 ± 0.1°C recorded in the experimental pigs after 8 h road transportation did not differ (P > 
0.05) with the corresponding value of 39.4 ± 0.3°C in control pigs, demonstrating that AA did not induce 
hypothermia in experimental pigs. In conclusion, transportation of pigs by road for 8 h in the zone induces 
hyperthermia and administration of AA in the experimental pigs did not induce hypothermia. Optimum duration 
of road transportation of pigs is 6 h. This duration should be considered in the development of guidelines and 
welfare for pigs, transported by road during the hot-dry season. 
 
Key words: Transportation stress, rectal temperature, ambient temperature, hot-dry season, ascorbic acid, pigs. 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 

 
It has been established that meteorological factors of high 
ambient temperature (AT) and high relative humidity 
(RH), characteristic of the hot-dry season, cause heat 
stress which exerts adverse effects on livestock 
production (Bianca, 1976; Ayo et al., 1998a and b; 
Renaudeau et al., 2007). During the hot-dry season  
 
 

 
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ofcasala@yahoo.com. Tel: 
+2348065690278. 

 
 
transportation of pigs is unavoidable, inspite of the 
unfavourable meteorological conditions prevailing during 
the season. Of all the seasons prevailing in the Northern 
Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria, the hot-dry season 
has been described as thermally stressful to livestock 
(Igono et al., 1982; Ayo et al., 1996, 1998a). Efforts have 
been employed previously to ameliorate the adverse 
effects of road transportation stress in pigs these include 
the administration of hypnotics, sedatives (Lopez-Olevera 
et al., 2006) and tranquilizers (Nyberg et al., 1988). 
Administration of these drugs in transported pigs during 



 
 
 

 

the pre-slaughter period results in drug residues in the 
meat of such animals, especially in pigs that may be 
slaughtered compulsorily during the journey period as a 
result of stress (Peeters et al., 2006). An increasing body 
of evidence has shown that free radicals are generated in 
poultry subjected to heat stress (Sahota and Gillani, 
1995; Altan et al., 2003; Sahin et al., 2004), resulting in 
depletion of the antioxidant, vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) 
in tissues. Tauler et al. (2003) and Williams et al. (2008) 
showed that antioxidants in the body decrease or are 
overwhelmed due to exercise stress. Road transportation 
stress in the body is ameliorated by administration of AA 
in goats (Minka and Ayo, 2007a and b) and pullets (Ayo 
et al., 2006; Minka and Ayo, 2008). AA is a potent 
antioxidant vitamin that is readily available, relatively 
inexpensive and with virtually no toxic or residual effects 
(Padayatty et al., 2003; Tauler et al., 2003; Sahin et al., 
2004; Peeters et al., 2006), and it is readily metabolized 
in the body (Chervyakov et al., 1977). An important index 
in the evaluation of stress in domestic animals is rectal 
temperature (RT) (Bianca, 1976; Ayo et al., 1998a; 
Sinkalu et al., 2008; Adenkola et al., 2009). It is readily 
measured and shows the extent of thermal equilibrium in 
animals (Bianca, 1976).  

The aim of the present study was to investigate 

fluctuation in RT responses in pigs transported by road 

during the hot-dry season, and the influence of AA 

administration on the fluctuation. 
 

 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 
The experiment was conducted at the animal research pen of the 
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (11° 
10 N, 07° 38 E), located in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of 
Nigeria. Transportation of the pigs was carried out during the hot-
dry season in May, 2007 from Zaria (11° 10 N, 07° 38 E), to 
Pambegua (10° 4' N, 08° 16' E) and from Pambegua back to Zaria, 
covering a total distance of 400 km. The zone is characterized by 
three major seasons, namely: The hot-dry, rainy and harmattan 
seasons. Of the three seasons, the harmattan has been described 
as the most thermally stressful to livestock (Ayo and Oladele, 1996; 
Igono et al., 1982). This period marks the peak of the hot-dry 
season, just before the onset of the rainy season in the zone. 

 

Animals and management 
 
Twenty three (23), apparently, healthy adult local pigs comprising 
non-castrated males, non-pregnant and non- cycling females of 
about one-year-old and weighing between 40 - 50 kg served as 
subjects. The pigs were purchased from Samaru, Zaria four weeks 
before commencement of the experiment. They were housed in the 
animal pen of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello 
University, Zaria. The pen was made of concrete floor, cements 
block wall and roof, and consisted of two chambers. The pigs 
moved freely within the pen. They were managed intensively and 
fed a standard compounded feed, consisting of a mixture of maize 
bran and rice husk. Water was given ad libitum. The pigs were pre-
conditioned for two weeks before commencement of the experi-
ment, and they were dewormed using piperazine hydrochloride 
(Everchem, China) at a dose of 110 mg/kg orally. They were also 

 
 
 
 

 

treated against ectoparasites using Ivermectin
R

 (Merial, France) at 
a dose of 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously. 

 

Experimental design 
 
After the two-week period of pre-conditioning, each pig was 
identified by a numbered neck collar. A week to the day of 
commencement of transportation, pigs were assigned experimental 
(Group I) and control (Group II) groups consisting of 13 and 10 pigs 
respectively. Neck collars already numbered (1- 23) were put in a 
bag and picked ‘blindly’ one at a time without replacement. Each 
collar picked was placed on the neck of individual pig caught at 
random. Animals with collar numbers 1 - 13 were classified as 
experimental (Group I) while those with collar numbers 14 - 23 were 
classified as control (Group II). On the day of transportation, 30 min 
before transportation, pigs in group I, which served as experimental 
animals were administered orally with 100 mg/kg body weight of AA 
(ARCHY Pharmaceuticals, Nigeria; NAFDAC no: 04-5270, Batch 
no:VCW 7024) dissolved in 20 ml of water. The 10 pigs in group II 
which served as control were administered with 20 ml of distilled 
water each orally. Feed and water were withdrawn 12 h before and 
throughout the journey period, which lasted eight hours. All the pigs 
were transported on asphalt roads at an average speed of 50 km/h. 
After the completion of the journey, the pigs were unloaded at the 
same spot from where they were loaded previously. Feed and water 
were then provided ad libitum. 

 

Vehicle design and loading 
 
A standard Bedford van (made in England) and popularly used in 
the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria for transportation of 
pigs was used for the journey. The body of the vehicle was made of 
aluminium, and the floor of steel. The inner compartment of the 
vehicle measured 5.5 x 1.5 m. The side walls of the body of the 
vehicle to a height of 1.1 m were made of aluminium and above 
which had windows for ventilation. The vehicle had at its rear end a 
twin door with a rear wind screen. The upper side walls and roof are 
also covered with aluminium. The floor of the vehicle was covered 
with dry straw and covered with a thick rubber mat for secure 
footing. Transportation procedures were carried out according to 
the guidelines governing animal transport welfare by road as 
described by (Knowles et al., 1998). Briefly, pigs were loaded 
individually by two persons in a relatively calm condition. One 
person easily caught a pig at a time and carried it to the other 
person, who already was in the vehicle. The pigs were stocked at a 

rate of 0.3 m
2
/pig. 

 
Measurement of meteorological parameters 
 
Meteorological parameters of ambient temperature (AT) and 
relative humidity (RH) were recorded using the wet and dry-bulb 
thermometer (Ellab Inc, U.S.A.).  

The dry bulb temperature (DBT) and RH were recorded at the 
experimental site at 06:00, 13:00 and 18:00 h every other day for 5 
days before the commencement of the journey. The parameters 
were also measured just before transportation and during the 
journey at 30 minutes, 2, 4, 6 h and finally at 8 h, when the journey 
was completed. Post-transportation, DBT and RH were recorded at 
3 h after unloading and on days 1, 2 and 3. 

 
Measurement of rectal temperature 
 
Two weeks before commencement of the journey, the RT was 

determined every other day, during the measurement of the 



  
 
 

 
Table 1. Meteorological Data from the study period before and after transportation.  

 
  Ambient temperature (°C) Relative humidity (%) 

 Time, h Before After Before After 

 06:00 23.5 ± 0.4 22.0 ± 0.5 73.0 ± 8.0 80.3 ± 4.9 

 13:00 37.0 ± 1.0 29.6 ± 0.3 55.8± 6.0 56.6 ± 1.6 

 18:00 35.6 ± 1.0 28.0 ± 3.0 71.2 ± 6.0 61.5 ± 11.5 
 Overall Mean ± SEM 32.0 ± 4.2 26.5± 2.3 66.7 ± 5.4 66.1 ± 7.2 

 
 
 
 

Table 2. Ambient temperature and relative humidity inside the vehicle during the journey period.  
 

Hour of journey, h Dry-bulb temperature (°C) Relative humidity (%)  

0.5 30.5 68.0  

2 33.0 57.0  

4 37.0 53.0  

6 36.5 40.0  

8 39.0 71  

Mean ± SEM 34.0±1.7 59.3±4.7  

 
 
 
 
meteorological parameters, at 06:00, 13:00 and 18:00 h for a total 
of 5 days. On the experimental day, the RT was measured just 
before loading the pigs into the vehicle. Thereafter as the vehicle 
kicked off, the RT was determined at 30 min, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h of the 
journey. On arrival, the RT was also measured after 3 h with the 
meteorological parameters after unloading and, subsequently, at 
06:00, 13:00 and 18:00 h for 3 days consecutively post-
transportation.  

All measurements were carried out in a relatively calm condition, 
and each pig was restrained lightly and properly for the 
measurements. The RT was recorded as an indicator of the body 
temperature using a digital clinical thermometer (The Hartman’s 
Company, PLC, England). The thermometer was inserted 5 cm 
deep into the rectum of each pig via the anus (Zaytsev et al., 1971) 
until an alarm sound was heard, indicating the end of the reading. 

 

Statistical analysis 
 
All data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Data were analysed using 

Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Values of P < 

0.05 were considered significant. 

 

RESULTS 

 

Meteorological data 

 

The meteorological data are shown in Tables 1 and 2. 
The AT and RH recorded at the experimental site during 
the study period ranged between the maximum value of 
39.0°C to the minimum value of 23.5°C, with a range of  
16.5°C. The RH at the experimental site before 

transportation ranged between 43 - 97%. The dry bulb 

temperature (DBT) was highest at 13:00 h with mean 

 
 
 
 
value of 37 ± 1.0°C (Table 1). During the journey period, 
the DBT inside the vehicle rose gradually from 30.5°C, 30 
min into the journey and attained a peak value of 39.0°C 

at the 8 h of the journey with a mean of 34.0 ± 1.7
o
C, 

while the RH ranged between 40 - 71% with a mean 
value of 59.3 ± 4.7%. Thus, the AT and RH had wide 
range values of 8.5°C and 29%, respectively during the 
journey period (Table 2). The AT ranged post-
transportation between 21 - 31°C, while RH maximum 
and minimum values were 89 and 50% respectively 
(Table 1). 
 

 

Rectal temperature of pigs before the journey 
 
The RT of the experimental pigs measured for five days 
pre-transportation was lowest at 06:00 h and highest at 
18:00 h, with the values of 36.8 ± 0.1 and 39.0 ± 0.1°C, 
respectively. The RT of the control pigs was also lowest 
at 06:00 h and highest at 18:00 h, with the values of 36.8  
± 0.1 and 38.9 ± 0.1°C, respectively. There was no 
significant difference (P > 0.05) between mean RT values 
of the experimental and control pigs pre-transportation, 
but the values were significantly different (P < 0.05) within 
the experimental and control groups between 06:00 h and 
13:00 h, and between 06: 00 h and 18: 00 h (Table 3). 

The hour of the day, maximum and minimum AT values 

were positively correlated with RT values, both in 
experimental and control pigs before transportation. 
However, the RH was negatively correlated with RT in all 

the pigs before and after transportation. 



 
 
 

 
Table 3. Rectal temperature (°C) of experimental (13) and control (n = 10) pigs before and post transportation.  

 
  Pre-transportation Post-transportation  

 Time, h Experimental Control Experimental Control  

 06:00 36.8 ± 0.1 36.8 ± 0.1 36.4 ± 8.0 36.4 ± 0.1  

 13:00 38.8 ± 0.1 38.7 ± 0.1 37.9 ± 0.2 37.6 ± 0.2  

 18:00 39.0 ± 0.1 38.9 ±0.1 38.3 ± 0.4 38.1 ± 0.4  

 Overall Mean ± SEM 38.2 ± 0.7 38.1± 0.6
NS

 37.5 ± 0.6 37.3 ± 0.5
NS

  
 

NS
 = non significant (P > 0.05) difference. 

 

 
Table 4. Rectal temperature (°C) of experimental (n=13) and control (n=10) pigs during 8 h road transportation.  

 
   Mean±SEM  Maximum Minimum  

 Hour of the journey Experimental Control Experimental Control Experimental Control 

 0.5 39.1 ± 0.3 38.7 ± 0.1 41.0 39.6 38.4 38.2 

 2 39.1 ± 0.1 38.8 ± 0.1 39.8 39.5 38.6 38.3 

 4 39.5 ± 0.1 39.3 ± 0.1 39.8 40.0 39.0 38.9 

 6 40.3 ± 0.1 39.9 ± 0.1 40.7 40.6 40.0 39.3 
 8 40.9 ± 0.1 40.5 ± 0.1 41.2 41.4 40.5 40.1 

 Overall Mean±SEM 39.8 ± 0.1 39.4 ± 0.3 
NS

 40.5 ± 0.2 40.2 ± 0.3 
NS

 39.3 ± 0.4 38.9 ± 0.3 
NS

 
 

NS = non significant (P > 0.05) difference. 
 

 

Rectal temperature of the pigs during the 8 h road 

transportation 
 
During the journey period, the mean RT value fluctuated 
between 39.1 ± 0.3 and 40.9 ± 0.1°C in experimental pigs 
with an overall value of 39.8 ± 0.3°C, while in the control 
pigs the values fluctuated between 38.7 ± 0.1 and 40.5 ± 
0.1°C. The overall mean value of 39.4 ± 0.3°C recorded 
in the control pigs were not significantly different (P > 
0.05) from that of the experimental pigs. Although the 
mean maximum and minimum RT values in the 
experimental pigs (40.5 ± 0.2 and 39.3 ± 0.4°C, 
respectively) were slightly higher than the corresponding 
values obtained in the control pigs (40.2 ± 0.3 and 38.9 ± 
0.3°C, respectively), they were not significantly different 
(P > 0.05) (Table 4).  

The RT values rose with duration of the journey both in 
experimental and control pigs. In the experimental pigs, 
the values rose (P < 0.001) from 39.1 ± 0.3°C after 30 

min to 40.9 ± 0.1°C at the 8
th

 h of the journey. The RT 
value in the control pigs rose (P < 0.001) from 38.7 ± 0.1  

- 39.4 ± 0.3°C at the 8
th

 hour of the journey. The DBT 

increased significantly (P < 0.001) and was positively 
correlated with the RT values. 
 

 

Fluctuations in rectal temperature of pigs post-

transportation 
 
The mean overall RT value three hours after the journey 

in the experimental pigs was 38.5 ± 0.2°C. The value was 

 
 

 

not higher (P > 0.05) than that of 38.1 ± 0.2°C recorded in 
control pigs. There was no significant difference between 
the mean values of RT in both experimental and control 

pigs recorded for three days post-transportation (Table 
3). 
 

 

DISCUSSION 

 

Meteorological data pre-transportation 

 

The meteorological data obtained in the present study 
indicated that the DBT, which ranged between 23.5 - 
39.0°C, was predominantly outside the thermoneutral 
zone of 12 - 25°C established for the pig in the temperate 
regions (Bianca, 1976; Bazhov and Komlatsky, 1989). 
Thus, the DBT recorded pre-transportation of the pigs 
was not optimum for their normal thermoregulation. 
Similarly, the RH, which fluctuated between 43 - 97%, 
was outside the upper limit of the established normal RH 
values of 45 - 75% for the pig (Agricultural Research 
Council, 2006), indicating that the RH which the pigs 
were subjected to was also not conducive. The DBT and 
RH values recorded from the study period were 
characterized by high values, established to induce heat 
stress in pigs (Bazhov and Komlatsky, 1989; Ayo et al., 
1998b; Vecerek et al., 2006). Thus, the conditions 
prevailing during the hot- dry season in the Northern 
Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria are not optimum for 
the rearing of pigs. The meteorological conditions showed 
that transportation of pigs during the hot-dry season 



 
 
 

 

was thermally stressful and that such transported pigs are 
inevitably subjected to concurrent actions of both heat 
and transport stresses. Measures aimed at alleviating 
these stresses were, therefore, taken into consideration 
in the present study through the admini-stration of an 
antioxidant, AA demonstrated by Ayo et al. (2005, 2006) 
in pullets and Minka and Ayo (2007a,b) in goats to 
alleviate transportation stress. 
 

 

Meteorological data during and post-transportation 

 

The results of the DBT and RH obtained at the 
experimental site before and after the transportation of 
the pigs were not significantly different. This finding 
indicated that the DBT and RH values from the study 
period at the experimental site were similar, and that they 
exerted similar effects before and after the journey on the 
responses of the pigs to the transportation stress. There 
were considerable changes in the DBT values during the 

journey period, which rose from 30.5
o
C at the first hour of 

the journey to a peak value of 39.0 
o
C at the 8

th
 hour of 

the journey when the transportation was completed. The 
DBT values were outside the established thermoneutral 

zone for the pig (14 - 25
o
C) (Bazhov and Komlatsky, 

1989). This finding indicated that the AT prevailing during 
the transportation was also unfavourable to the pigs. 
Similarly, there was a wide fluctuation in the RH values 
during the journey. The high fluctuation (40 - 71%) with a 
range of 31% was outside the normal range values of RH 
for the pigs (45 - 75%) (A.R.C., 2006). During the journey, 
the high overall AT and RH values obtained have been 
shown to be thermally stressful to the pig (Bianca, 1976; 
Bazhov and Komlatsky, 1989) . The AT and RH values 
obtained in the present study were not significantly 
different from the corresponding values of 31.8 ± 2.6% 
and 65.2 ± 6.4 %, respectively obtained during the 
transportation of goats in the hot-dry season in the 
Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria (Minka and 
Ayo, 2007a). The mean maximum AT value of 34.0 ± 
1.7°C obtained in the present study was not significantly 
different from that of 34.1 ± 1.5°C recorded during the six-
hour road transportation in pullets in the hot-dry season 
(Minka and Ayo, 2008). The RH value of 59.3 ± 4.7% 
obtained in the present study differed from that of 44.5 ± 
1.4% obtained by Minka and Ayo (2008) during road 
transportation of pullets. The difference in the results on 
the RH value may be due to many factors including 
meteorological conditions, differences in species of 
animals used and the duration of the journey. This finding 
suggests that species variation may play some role in 
modulating the microclimatic conditions inside the vehicle 
during road transportation. The results further confirmed 
that the hot-dry season was thermally stressful to 
livestock during transportation by road in Northern 
Nigeria. Thus, for pigs to be transported successfully 
during the season and perform optimally, 

  
  

 
 

 

efficient thermoregulatory (homeostatic) mechanisms 

must be switched on. 
 
 

Rectal temperature of pigs five days pre-

transportation 
 
The RT values in both experimental and control pigs 
showed diurnal fluctuations, and this finding is in 
agreement with those of Ayo et al. (1998a, 1998b), 
Piccione and Caola (2002) and Sinkalu et al. (2008). 
According to Piccione and Caola (2002), such 
fluctuations are driven by a biologic clock in the 
mammalian brain. The overall mean and maximum RT 
values obtained in experimental and control pigs before 
the transportation fell within the established normal range 
of 38 - 40°C (Zaytsev et al., 1971). However, the overall 
mean minimum values of 36.6 ± 0.8°C and 36.8 ± 0.7°C 
obtained in the control and experimental pigs, 
respectively were completely below the normal range of 
RT, established for pigs in temperate regions of the 
world. The RT in the pigs fluctuated between 36.6 and 
39.8°C, with a range value of 3.2°C. According to Zaystev 
et al. (1971), such a wide range in RT values (above 1.0 - 
1.8°C) impairs body functions and may result in heat 
stroke. Thus, the responses of the pigs demonstrated that 
the meteorological conditions prevailing during the hot-
dry season in the zone are not conducive both for rearing 
and road transportation of pigs. However, the animals, by 
switching on the homeostatic mechanisms, maintained 
their RT values within the normal range of RT values in 
the pig. Furthermore, additional stress factors acting upon 
the pigs may completely impair their body functions and 
aggravate the incidence of road transportation-induced 
diseases. Thus, the relatively low RT values of about 
37.0°C, obtained in experimental and control pigs, may 
be a component of the adaptive and compensatory 
responses of the transported animals to the thermally 
stressful hot-dry season in the zone. 
 

 

Rectal temperature of pigs during eight hours of road 

transportation 
 
The mean RT values obtained during the journey period 
rose (P < 0.001) with the hour of the journey in the 
experimental (r = 0.968) and control pigs (r = 0.987), and 
attained the peak at the 8 h when the journey was 
completed. The results clearly indicated that the journey 
time plays a crucial role in the RT values of transported 
pigs. The results showed that for normal thermoregu-
latory mechanisms to be maintained in the pig, the 
journey duration should be limited to six hours. This is 
because the mean RT values were maintained within the 

normal range in the pigs till the 6
th

 hour. Thereafter, 

thermoregulatory mechanisms of the transported pigs 
were inadequate to maintain the RT values within the 
  

 



 
 
 

 

normal range. The results further showed that 
transportation of pigs within the zone is recommended to 
be conducted within 6 h. If the need arises for the animal 
to be transported above this duration, measures aimed at 
enhancing the relative maintenance of the RT values 
within the normal physiologic range must be ensured. It is 
worth noting that in the present study the RT values in 
both experimental and control pigs were not significantly 
(P > 0.05) different, indicating that AA did not exert a 
hypothermic effect on transported pigs during the hot-dry 
season. This finding contradicts the results of studies 
conducted by Ayo et al. (2005) in pullets, Ayo et al. 
(2006) and Minka and Ayo (2007a) in goats, and Minka 
and Ayo (2008) in pullets, who showed that AA exerted a 
hypothermic effect in livestock transported by road during 
the hot-dry season. The differences in the results may be 
due to species variation, and the fact the doses given to 
the animal species varied. This observation requires 
further investigation. Furthermore, the study showed the 
need to increase the dose of AA in order to establish its 
anti-stress effect on transported pigs during the hot-dry 
season. This again requires further investigation. 
 

 

Rectal temperature of pigs post-transportation 

 

The overall mean and the mean maximum RT obtained 
three days after the journey were within the normal range 
of RT values. The result agreed with the findings of Minka 
and Ayo (2007a, b) that RT values of transported animals 
were restored to the normal values shortly post-
transportation. The results also showed that trans-
portation of pigs by road for 8 h induced a transient 
stress, and that the rising of the RT above the normal 
value was short-lived. The overall mean and mean 
maximum RT values obtained three days post-
transportation in both experimental and control pigs 
showed that the values were significantly reduced 
following road transportation. The transportation 
depressed the thermal responses in the pigs after the 
journey and even below the initial (pre-transportation) 
values. This finding agreed with that of Ayo et al. (1998b) 
that road transportation in pigs induces an alarm 
response in the animals during the journey, which is later 
replaced by a stage of resistance. The stage of 
resistance observed in the present study was 
characterized by strong adaptation of the pigs, not only to 
the transportation stress, but also the heat stress 
characteristic of the hot-dry season in the Northern 
Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. 
 

 

Conclusion 
 
In conclusion, transportation of pigs by road for eight 

hours in the zone induces hyperthermia and admini-
stration of ascorbic acid at 100 mg/kg in the experimental 

pigs did not exert any significant ameliorative effect. 

 
 
 
 

 

Journey time and meteorological factors (AT and RH) 
play significant role in rectal temperature responses of 
pigs transported by road. Optimum duration of road 
transportation of pigs is six hours. This duration should be 
considered in the development of guidelines and welfare 
for pigs, transported by road during the hot-dry season. 
 
 

 
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