The Effect of Seasonal Variations, Pregnancy and Management System on the Blood Minerals and Thyroid Hormones of Camels

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of the season, management system and physiological status on the blood minerals and thyroid hormones of camels. Sixty healthy one-humped she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) aged between 6 and 9 years were used in the study. The animals were divided into four groups: group (1) penned camels, group (2) grazing camels, group (3) pregnant camels and group (4) non-pregnant camels. Blood samples (6ml) were collected from jugular vein, monthly throughout the experimental period. T3, T4, Mg+, Na+, K+ and Ca++ were determined using the standard laboratory methods. The animals showed lower values for T3 and T4 (nmol) during summer (1.36+0.36, 114.91+3.84), respectively, compared to autumn (1.67+0.46, 129.35+4.55) and winter (1.73+0.41, 132.63+4.44). T3 and T4 values obtained by group (2) were higher than those obtained by the group (1). T3 level was higher in group (3) than that in group (4). During winter there were high levels of K+ (mEg/L) (4.72+0.55) and Ca++ (mg/dl) (9.05+1.01) compared to autumn (4.24+0.58, 8.75+0.95) and summer (4.30+0.43, 8.27+1.51). Group (2) registered higher values for Na+ (mEg/L) and K+ than group (1), while group (1) registered higher values for Ca++ than group (2). Pregnancy significantly reduced serum Ca++. It was concluded that, the season, management system and pregnancy affected some serum minerals, and thyroid hormones.