She-camel (Camelus Dromedarius) reproductive status and biochemical blood parameters assay in extensive breeding in southern Algeria

Abstract

Despite its importance to social and economic life in arid and semi-arid regions of Algeria, the dromedary camels has received little scientific attention in our country. This research focuses on two aspects of this animal in its natural environment. An individual monitoring of 14 reproductive parameters in 110 breeding camelids over 18 months and a single analysis of blood biochemical parameters in 212 animals was performed. The results reveal that the camel breeding season lasts from October to June, with an oestrus or “heat” duration (7.7 ± 1.4 days), mating duration (25±10 min), gestation duration (377 ± 9.4 days), labour duration (37.7 ± 15 min), delivery duration (37.9 ± 10 min), duration of return to oestrus after parturition (30.3 ± 11.7 days), average duration between parturition and fertilising oestrus (216 ± 137.7 days), rate of females returning to oestrus after parturition (77.2 %), fertility rate (54.11±10.6 %). Our findings for blood biochemical parameters show average glycemia (1.21 ± 0.04 g/l), proteinemia (63.8 ± 73 g/l), uremia (432.54 ± 17.4 mg/l), triglyceride levels (487.66 ± 86 mg/l), cholesterol (318.7 ± 32 mg/l), lipids (3 ± 0.31 g/l), calcium (87.45 ± 3.7 mg/l), phosphorus (46.5 ± 3.95 mg/l) and magnesium (23.47 ± 2.25 mg/l). Statistical analysis indicates that age, gender, and production status significantly affected most of blood biochemical parameters (p ≤ 0.001). The findings were compared to those of other authors from other countries. Research, understanding, and improvement of the dromedary camels breeding system remain crucial in Algeria.