Ovarian activity of she-camel (Camelus dromedarius) in relation to season, hormonal pattern, age and body condition scores

Abstract

The present work was done to investigate the interrelationship between the ovarian activity and each of seasonal environment, hormonal pattern, age and body condition scores(BCS) in shecamel. Over a period of one year (November 2005– October 2006), jugular blood samples were collected from 320 she-camel (5-20 years old) in Cairo–slaughter house during their antimortum inspection and body condition was scored. Immediately, after slaughter both ovaries were individually collected and morphometric findings were recorded. The results of hormonal assay including estrogen (E), progesterone (P4), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were recorded. The obtained hormonal levels were studied in relation to the ovarian findings and seasonal variation. Moreover the ovarian activity was studied in relation to age and BCS. According to the ovarian findings and hormonal levels, there is clear breeding season in dromedary camel extended from November to April under Egyptian conditions. Otherwise, the period from May to October (non-breeding season) has a lower ovarian activity and concomitant with lower hormonal levels. She-camel reaches its maturity later and has a higher longevity than cattle. The best reproductive capacity of she-camel are found within 8-15 years of age (BCS,2.92±0.21).

Keywords

• ovarian; activity; she-camel; camelus dromedarius; season; hormonal; pattern; age; condition