Pheromones in Poll Gland secretions of male dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) during the breeding season and their role in bio-stimulating sexual behavior changes in females

The study aimed to detect pheromones in male camel poll gland secretions during breeding and nonbreeding seasons and assess their use for biostimulation in female camels.Secretions were collected from six stud males during the breeding season (PGSBS) and six cart-pulling males during the non-breeding season (PGSNBS), stored at -20C.GC-MS analysis identified Androst-16-en-3-ol (3.alpha.5.alpha) and Androst-16-en-3-one (5.alpha) in PGSBS.For biostimulation, PGSBS, PGSNBS, or water was applied to three camel heifers (TH1, TH2, TH3) in separate trials using a Latin square design.These heifers were introduced to groups of four adult nonpregnant females to observe sexual behavior changes.The highest biostimulation responses in females were biting and sniffing the heifers, with significantly higher Flehmen and jumping responses (P<0.001) to PGSBS.The study concluded that male camel poll gland secretions contain pheromone-like substances during the breeding season, which evoke sexual behavior changes in female camels.