Reproductive abnormalities in female camel (Camelus dromedarius) in algeria: relationship with age, season, breed and body condition score

Abstract

Reproductive tract abnormalities have a high impact on sexual activity and fertility. Knowledge of factors related to reproductive disorders is important towards understanding the variability prevalences and features of these anomalies. The relationship between season, age, breed, and the body condition score, and the prevalence of reproductive abnormalities in female dromedary camels were analysed in an observational study on 740 dromedary females. Data were obtained from 2 abattoirs in southeast Algeria from 2011 to 2013. The associations between reproductive abnormalities and the different factors were determined using a chi-square test. Various abnormalities with different degrees of severity were observed in 213 (28.8%) cases. Reproductive abnormalities were significantly associated with age group and season. The percentages of reproductive abnormalities recorded did not differ significantly among breeds and abattoir location. The findings indicated a significant relationship between reproductive disorders and the body condition score. The prevalence of overall reproductive abnormalities significantly varied between the wet and dry seasons. Abnormalities were significantly more frequent during the wet seasons (autumn, winter) than during the dry seasons (spring, summer). Based on these findings, the increased prevalence of reproductive disorders was associated with dry season, older age, and low body condition.