Manipulation of reproductive functions in male and female camels

Abstract

Old World camels ( Camelus dromedarius or dromedary and Camel bacterianus or Bacterian camel) have been used for millenia in geographic areas and climates for which they are uniquely adapted. Human survival and trade in these areas has been dependent on the use of camels as beasts of burden, in agriculture, and as a source of milk, meat and fiber. Systematic efforts to apply modern aspects of genetic breeding for improved fertility and productivity are sparse and difficult to comprehend and adopt by nomadic breeders and almost subsistence farmers, in whose hands the majority of camels may be found. As a prerequisite for improvements in reproductive management, a status report is given on the following subjects: puberty, breeding season, the estrous cycle, coitus-induced ovulation and its control with intravaginal infusion of normal ejaculates, those from vasectomized males, and seminal plasma, utero-ovarian relationships and pregnancies. Ovulations can be induced by luteinizing hormone (LH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), and superovulations with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) (pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin; PMSG). Priming with progesterone (PRID, intravaginally) may enhance superovulatory responses, as does treatment at the correct phase of follicle wave development and the use of hCG. Recipients for embryo transfer can be prepared by using PRID, and hCG to induce ovulations. Embryos can be successfully recovered and transferred by non-surgical methods. Information on males is added which includes data on artificial insemination, involving semen collection via electro-ejaculation, semen characteristics and evaluation methods, deep freezing semen and insemination techniques. Modern methods of reproductive manipulation require sedation and analgesia, for which recently developed a 2-agonists, such as detomidine, are well suited.