Neurobehavioural Changes in Wistar Rats during the Hot-Humid Season Attenuated by the Co-administration of Ascorbic acid and Zinc Gluconate

The hot-humid season produces mild heat stress, which may affect performance of man and animals. The study was aimed at investigating the effect of co-administration of ascorbic acid and zinc gluconate which are antioxidant nutrients on sensorimotor changes in Wistar rats exposed to the hot-humid season. Twenty male Wistar rats weighing 110 - 186 g were divided into two groups of ten rats each. The first group served as the control while rats in the second group served as the experimental animals. The regimens were given once daily and orally by gavage for a period of 28 days. Sensorimotor parameters of neuromuscular coordination, motor strength and excitability scores were assessed at various intervals during the experimental period. The ambient temperature was taken and relative humidity and heat index were calculated. Results showed that the heat index was significantly (P < 0.05) higher when compared between the hours of 7.00 h, 13.00 h and 18.00 h. The Neuromuscular coordination assessment showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The motor strength assessment was higher in ascorbic acid and zinc-treated group compared to the control, although the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Percentage excitability scores recorded were higher in the ascorbic acid and zinc-treated group than the control group. The thermal stress produced by the hot-humid season resulted in sensorimotor responses in Wistar rats, attenuated by the co-administration of ascorbic acid and zinc gluconate.