Physiological responses of donkeys (Equus asinus, Perissodactyla) to work stress and potential ameliorative role of ascorbic acid

Abstract

The review examines donkey as a draught animal, used mainly for carrying load from one place to another in Africa. Although, motorized transport has been thriving rapidly in the twentieth century, the use of donkeys for transport has not experienced a proportionate decline. Donkeys are often overused, neglected and exposed to various stressors, which eventually lead to their poor performance. This review also examines the effect of packing on the physiological parameters of donkeys and the ameliorative role of ascorbic acid in donkeys subjected to work stress. In conclusion, a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanism of stress in donkeys may enhance their work output under the unfavourable environmental conditions of the tropics.   Key words: Donkeys, ascorbic acid, packing, stress, physiological parameters.