The cold-dry (harmattan) season is characterised by relatively low ambient temperature (AT) in the early morning and evening hours of the day, and high in the afternoon. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant, possessing anti-stress activity. The aim of the study was to determine the rectal temperature (RT) fluctuations in Red Sokoto goats during the cold-dry (harmattan) season, and the effect of lycopene administration. A total of 20 goats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 10). The experimental group was administered lycopene (0.142 mg/kg) for two weeks and RT values were recorded on days 8, 11 and 14 of the study. Thermal environmental data of ambient temperature (AT) and RH were recorded hourly at the experimental site from 07:00 to 18:00 h using a dry- and wet-bulb thermometer and temperature-humidity index for 3 days. The RT was measured hourly, from 7:00 to 18:00 h each day. RT variation was predominantly due to hourly influence of thermal environmental parameters, rather than an individual feature of the animals. The DBT (Dry-bulb Temperature) fluctuated from 18:00 to 35:00 °C with a mean value of 28.44 ± 1.56 °C. The RH (relative humidity) recorded during the study period fluctuated between 13 and 46%, while the overall mean value of RH was 30.82 ± 2.58%. The THI (temperature-humidity-index) fluctuated between 76:00 ± 0.52 and 78.64 ± 0.04. In conclusion, lycopene modulated cold-dry induced stress in goats by increasing RT values of Red Sokoto goats, between 16:00-18:00 h during the cold-dry season.
Key words: Ambient Temperature, Harmattan, Lycopene, Rectal temperature, Relative humidity
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