Seasonal Variations in Blood Constituents and Milk Composition of One-Humped Camel
Seasonal Variations in Blood Constituents and Milk Composition of One-Humped Camel
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Date
2015-04-07
Authors
Amin, Alia Saeed Ahmed
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Publisher
University of Khartoum
Abstract
The present study has been conducted in order to investigate the
seasonal variation as well as the effect of age and sex on certain blood
constituents in the one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius).
Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the milk composition and the
botanical and chemical composition of plant parts consumed by camels
were investigated. The study has been conducted on 210 indigenous
Arabian camel of different age (1-18 years) and sex, and kept under
natural range in Southern Darfur.
The data analysis revealed that the season had significant effects
on some of the haematological indices, metabolites and mineral
concentrations. These parameters showed slight variations related to age
and sex. The red blood cells count, lymphocytes and basophils
percentages increased significantly during the dry season, while the
osmotic resistance, MCV, MCH and neutrophils percentage increased
significantly during the green season. The serum levels of total protein,
globulins and triglycerides increased significantly during the dry season,
while the levels of plasma glucose, serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus
(P) and calcium (Ca) increased significantly during the green season.
The PCV, neutrophils percentage, serum total protein and serum Ca
concentration increased significantly with age, while the lymphocytes
percentage, serum P and serum sodium (Na) concentration decreased
significantly with age. The red blood cells count and PCV level were the
only investigated parameters that showed significant intersex
differences. The levels of red blood cells count and PCV were
significantly higher in males.
The study showed that seasonal variation has a marked effect on
milk composition. The percentages of milk moisture and fat increased
significantly during the dry season, while lactose percentage increased
significantly during the green season.
The findings of the present study indicate that camels are selective
browser rather than grazer. Furthermore, they are selective feeder to the
parts of pasture plants they consume. The percentages of crude protein
(CP), crude fibre (CF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) of pasture plants
selected by camels were significantly higher, while ash percentage was
significantly lower during the dry season.
The results obtained in the present study indicate that the
nutritional state could induce significant changes in the physiological
responses of the dromedary camel; the available forage during the green
season improved the body condition, the blood metabolites and mineral
profile of camels and the milk composition.
The results indicate that despite camel’s selectivity and unique
adaptation to arid conditions, glucose, urea, P and Ca levels were lower
during the dry season. Therefore, it could be beneficial to provide
concentrate feed to camels kept under dry tropical conditions.
Description
198 Pages
Keywords
Blood Constituents; Camel; Milk; Phosphorus; Calcium; Sodium; Protein