Heat stress amelioration in West African dwarf and Maradi goats using vitamin C and honey in a hot-dry season

Authors

  • O. O. Shittu Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria
  • A. J. Odeyemi Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria
  • N. Okwelum Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria
  • D. P. Tovesi Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria
  • M. A. Oyatogun Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria
  • M. O. Adeleke Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria
  • H. M. Jolaosho Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria
  • R. O. Ogundeji Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/cr4cvb41

Abstract

Climate change associated heat stress is the most significant factor which negatively influences animal production in the tropical and semi-arid regions of the world. Hence, the need to mitigate the heat stress level through the use of antioxidants in order to boost production. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin C and honey administration on heat stress amelioration in West African dwarf (WAD) and Maradi goats in a hot-dry humid tropical environment of South-Western Nigeria. A total of 18 bucks (nine per breed) aged 1-1½ years of age and liveweight between 10-22kg were randomly distributed into three treatment groups of six animals each (3 WAD vs 3 Maradi) with treatment 1 been the control (i.e 0mL Vitamin C and 0mL honey); treatment 2 (10mL of vitamin C/head) and treatment 3 (10mL of honey/head) administered orally one hour before physiological measurements. Rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST), respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), and heart rate (HR), measured weekly for 3 months before and after antioxidant administration in a 2x2x3 factorial arrangement. Results showed significant breed effect (P<0.05) on all physiological variables monitored except PR. Maradi goats exhibited higher RT (39.61±0.04vs 39.01±0.03oC) and HR (65.44±0.68 vs 59.48±0.58beats/min). However, WAD goats showed elevated ST (37.54±0.07vs36.12±0.08oC) and RR (62.31±0.62vs38.63±0.94breaths/min). The interaction effect between breed, antioxidant treatment levels and time of antioxidant application were significant (P<0.05) for most variables except for pulse rate, with RT and HR highest in Maradi goats in the three treatment groups before and after antioxidant administration while ST and RR were the same in the WAD goats. These findings suggest that while breed characteristics strongly influence physiological heat stress responses, vitamin C and honey have potential ameliorative effects on heat stress in tropical goats

Author Biographies

  • O. O. Shittu, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    1Institute of Food Security Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

  • A. J. Odeyemi, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria

  • N. Okwelum, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    1Institute of Food Security Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

  • D. P. Tovesi, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    1Institute of Food Security Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

  • M. A. Oyatogun, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    2Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria

  • M. O. Adeleke, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    2Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria

  • H. M. Jolaosho, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    2Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria

  • R. O. Ogundeji, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun state, Nigeria

    2Department of Animal Physiology, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata, Ogun State, Nigeria

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Published

2026-10-25

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 3 (2026): current

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Heat stress amelioration in West African dwarf and Maradi goats using vitamin C and honey in a hot-dry season. (2026). Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 53(3), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.51791/cr4cvb41