EFFECT OF FEEDING STRATEGY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ON HORMONAL AND METABOLIC ATTRIBUTES OF FEMALE CAMELS (Camelus dromedarius) RAISED IN DESERT

This study aimed to explore effects of feeding strategy and the reproductive health of female dromedaries’ performance under hot climate. The study utilized 40 adult (6-18 yrs.) female camels. Based on the main two factors, the females were categorized into four groups; G1 (n=6) females grazing on rangeland plants and reproductively normal, G2 (n=4) females grazing on rangeland plants and reproductively abnormal, G3 (n=16) females reared in yards, mainly fed on concentrates and reproductively normal, and G4 (n=14) females reared in yards, and fed on concentrates and reproductively abnormal. Blood samples were collected and plasma were separated for metabolic attributes (glucose, total protein, LDL, HDL, ALT, and AST) and hormones [insulin, insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF1), FSH, LH, progesterone, and estradiol] determinations. Results revealed that provision of concentrates increased (P<0.05) insulin in both healthy and nonhealthy females. IGF1 increased (P<0.05) in females fed on concentrates by 36.6% above that found in females fed on pastures. Contrariwise, LH didn’t alter due to feeding strategy, however it increased (P<0.05) due to reproductive disorders. FSH and estradiol didn’t differ among groups. Unlikely, regardless of feed strategy, progesterone increased (P<0.05) in reproductive healthy than nonhealthy females. Total protein and LDL were not different among groups, however glucose and HDL revealed higher (P<0.05) levels in reproductively unhealthy than in healthy females. Feeding concentrates revealed higher (P<0.05) activity of ALT than those grazed on pasture. On the contrary, neither feed strategy nor reproductive status altered AST activity. In conclusion, feed strategy and reproductive health have great impact on the production and reproductive life in female camels. Rearing camels on rangeland pasture could be a healthy approach, however it necessitates the supplementation of diets with grains or concentrate pellets.