Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LVIII
Written by Elvia HERNAWAN, An-An YULIANTI, Elin NURLINA
Animal transportation usually causes a weight loss. This surely becomes an economical loss. Animal suspected to be under stress circumstances during the transportation which caused physiological change. Twenty Padjadjaran rams which have average weight between 17 – 26 kg were used in this research. Research was done experimentally using Completely Randomize Design with four levels of electrolyte solution treatment which are P1 (0 mL), P2 (75 mL), P3 (12.5 mL), and P4 (150 mL). Every treatment was added by 25 mg of Roselle extract and replicated five times. Rams were transported for 8 hour using pick-up car with capacity of 20 rams. Observed variables were body weight, and physiological responses which consist of rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, glucose level and blood’s urea. The observation showed that body weight was not significantly different (P>0.05) between treatments. The respiratory rate and heart rate also resulted not significant (P>0.05), although it can be tolerated because rectal temperature was in a normal range. Values of glucose and blood’s urea decreased although it were still not significantly different (P>0.5). In conclusion, the utilization of coconut water-based electrolyte solution with roselle extracts addition can suppress body weight loss without gives any major effect physiologically to the Padjadjaran ram.
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