The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin C and xylazine on cortisol, lipid peroxidation and some biochemical parameters of sheep that were exposed to transport stres. The study was carried out on 12 Akkaraman and 12 Merino sheep aged 1 year old. Animals were allocated into 4 groups each containing 3 Akkaraman and 3 Merino sheep. Intramuscular administration of 1 ml saline solution to the control group (K); 500 mg/kg vitamin C to the vitamin C group (C); 0,05 mg/kg xylazine-HCl to the xylazine group (X); and 0,05 mg/kg xylazine-HCL+500 mg/kg vitamin C to the vitamin C + xylazine group (CX) were achieved.All groups were transported from Konya to Afyonkarahisar in a truck. After and before transportation, blood samples were taken to determine the concentrations of, malondialdehyde (MDA), cortisol, glucose, trigliseride, total protein, total cholesterol, hematocrit and hemoglobin.

In K group after transportation, plasma cortisol and MDA (p<0.01) levels were increased but, in C group, plasma cortisol level was decreased (p<0.01). In X group, plasma cortisol (p<0.001) and glucose (p<0.01) levels were increased as compared to before transportation although plasma total cholesterol (p<0.05) and trigliseride (p<0.01) levels were decreased. In CX group, plasma cortisol (p<0.01) and glucose (p<0.001) levels were increased as compared to before transportation while MDA, total cholesterol (p<0.05) and trigliseride (p<0.01) levels were decreased. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and total protein values were not significantly changed in all groups after the transport.

We concluded that vitamin C decreased plasma cortisol concentration and unchanged MDA level in the blood. Wherease, xylasine did not alter MDA level in the blood and increased plasma cortisol concentration.