Effect of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on lambs during forced walking and transport

This study evaluated whether short-term supplementation with Ascophyllum nodosum could help lambs cope with the physiological stress of forced exercise and transport under hot conditions. Lambs received varying doses of seaweed over two weeks before undergoing walking and transport trials. While supplementation did not affect body temperature during exercise, higher doses (2%) reduced ear canal temperature and improved thermal stability during transport. Additionally, cortisol levels—a key stress indicator—were lower in supplemented animals, suggesting a reduced stress response, although lambs on higher doses experienced greater transport-related body weights. However, supplementation also led to a dose-dependent reduction in IgG and IgM antibodies post-transport. This suggests an immunomodulatory effect that, together with the benefits of thermoregulation and stress resilience, warrants further investigation.