Abstract
This study was conducted to demonstrate the plasma profile of progesterone, estradiol-17 β and some blood biochemical attributes (glucose, cholesterol concentrations and alkaline phosphates activity) of Iraqi female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) during different gestation periods. This experiment included 5 multiparous, non-lactating Iraqi one-humped female camels (Camelus dromedarius) of 7- 8 years old. Blood was collected from female camels at days 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 post-mating (PM). The plasma progesterone concentrations did not significantly differ among days 20-120 PM. Greater (P≤ 0.05) progesterone concentrations were observed at days 150 and 180 PM as compared with days.20, 30 and 40 PM. No remarkable alterations in plasma estradiol-17β concentrations were seen among different gestation periods. Non- significant variations were detected in plasma glucose concentrations during the entire gestation periods studied (day 20-60 PM). Higher (p<0.05) cholesterol concentrations were observed at days 20 (9.86 ± 0.59 mg/dl) and 30 (8.84 ± 0.32 mg/dl) in comparison with their counterpart values at days 50 (7.06 ± 0.1 mg/dl) and 60 (6.29 ± 0.26 mg/dl) PM. The overall mean of plasma alkaline phosphatase activity did not alter during the whole study period. In conclusion, the pronounced changes during gestation period in dromedary camels can be detected through sex hormones and plasma cholesterol concentrations.
Highlights
Blood is an important index for several metabolic processes in the body which may in one animal species vary due to age, sex, physiological conditions and environmental factors (Ayoub et al, 2003)
Plasma glucose concentrations Consistent with estradiol-17β, non- significant variations were detected in plasma glucose concentrations during the entire gestation periods
Plasma cholesterol concentrations Significant differences were noticed in plasma cholesterol concentrations over the study periods
Summary
Blood is an important index for several metabolic processes in the body which may in one animal species vary due to age, sex, physiological conditions and environmental factors (Ayoub et al, 2003). The pattern of secretion of progesterone and estradiol-17β has been well-documented in cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, mare and pig but is less well understood and limited in the camel (Ayoub et al, 2003). Camel is different in that the ovulation is an induced rather than the spontaneous type in most species (Sumar, 2000). Rhythmic secretion of these sex steroids has a definite correlation with sexual behavior and receptivity of the male by females in other species of livestock. The periods of estrous and non-receptivity do not necessarily coincide with ovarian status and levels of estradiol-17β and progesterone (Quzy et al, 2013)
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