The effect of an antioxidant supplement based on selenium, electrolytes, and vitamins on relieving transportation stress in goats

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an antioxidant supplement (Transcare) based on selenium (Se), electolytes, and vitamins to relieve transportation stress in Nandidurga goats. Thirty 8–10-month-old Nandidurga female goats were randomly divided into two groups: non-supplemented (NS) (n=15) and supplemented (S) (n=15). S goats received orally antioxidant powder at a dose of 0.7 g/kg BW, dissolved in 10 mL drinking water, 45–60 min before the seven-hour trip. The antioxidant supplementation influenced (P < 0.05) respiration rate and pulse rate after transport, head and shoulder temperature, mean corpuscular hemoglobin before transport, lymphocytes after transport, monocytes after transport, cortisol, aldosterone, tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine, glucose, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP27 after transportation. Antioxidant supplementation decreased transportation stress in Nandidurga goats.Thus, oral antioxidant supplementation proved beneficial and promising in alleviating transportation stress. Therefore, promoting such supplements among resource-poor farmers may help reverse the financial loss experienced due to transportation stress in goats. •Transport-induced stress disrupted the adaptive responses, and oxidative balance.•Beneficial impact of antioxidants is evident in the modulation of key stress indicators.•Antioxidant supplementation proved beneficial in alleviating the transportation stress in Nandidurga goats.