Effects of season, productive state, age, and agro-ecology on blood biochemical characteristics and nutritional condition of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in natural browsing environment
Authors: Wako Roba Jiso , Kebede Yisehak Kechero , Amejo Asrat Guja 
Published: January 2023

This study was undertaken to investigate blood biochemical properties and nutritional status of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in their natural environment. About 36 camels were divided into three groups from two herds in arid and semi-arid areas based on their age (> 8 years, 5–8 years, or less than 5 years) and their productive state (milking, pregnant, or young). The sample was collected during dry and rainy seasons. A biochemistry analyser was used to examine the biochemical parameters of serum blood. In terms of energy parameters, glucose and cholesterol were higher (P < 0.001), while triglyceride and mean values (P < 0.05) were determined to be 91.33 ± 7.30 mg/dl, 75.28 ± 5.38 g/dl, and 80.28 ± 7.87 mg/dl, 60.31 ± 6.09 mg/dl, 56.47 ± 5.84g/dl, and 76.14 ± 8.11 mg/dl, respectively, for rainy and dry seasons. Regarding the protein parameter, the mean values of total protein, urea, and creatinine (P < 0.001) during the dry and rainy seasons were 7.17 ± 0.15 mg/dl, 32.06 ± 1.18 mg/dl, 2.06 ± 0.05 mg/dl, and 6.65 ± 0.16 mg/dl, 23.17 ± 1.04 mg/dl, and 1.35 ± 0.08 mg/dl, respectively. The cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose mean values were found to be variable (P > 0.05). Whereas 87.46 ± 12.13, 60.58 ± 7.24, and 63.131 ± 2.15 for camels 5–8 years old, and 62.25 ± 1.31, 70.63 ± 6.12, and 89.17 ± 9.96 for camels less than 5 years old. There was a difference in the mean urea, creatinine, and total protein levels (P > 0.05). The values for young camels under the age of five were 7.26 ± 0.18, 24.88 ± 0.74, and 1.67 ± 0.05. In comparison, 29.54 ± 1.62 of urea aged 5–8 years and 28.42 ± 1.74 of urea aged over 8 years were consumed. Creatine levels were found to be 1.79 ± 0.11 in camels over 8 years, 1.66 ± 0.10 in camels aged 5 to 8, and 1.67 ± 0.05 in young camels under the age of 5. Urea concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) at 26.13 ± 1.43, 31.83 ± 1.47, and 24.88 ± 0.74. Milking, pregnant, and young camels had mean and SEM values of 30.67 ± 2.10. Creatine levels were higher in the dry season than in the rainy season (P < 0.05). The milking camels were worth 1.90 ± 0.11, the pregnant camels were worth 2.190.072, and the young camels were worth 1.40 ± 2.00. Creatine concentrations were higher in pregnant camels than in milking camels, with values of 1.55 ± 0.11, 1.90 ± 0.08, and 1.67 ± 0.05 in young camels. Camel glucose (mg/dl), creatine (mg/dl), triglyceride (g/dl), and cholesterol (mg/dl) levels were significantly lower in arid areas than in semi-arid areas (P < 0.05). The serum concentrations of total protein (mg/dl) and urea (mg/dl) were lower in arid camels than in semi-arid camels (P < 0.05). Body composition had a positive correlation with glucose, urea, creatine, and total protein, but a negative correlation with triglyceride and cholesterol (P < 0.05). The age of the animals was negatively correlated with glucose, urea, creatine, and total protein, but positively correlated with triglyceride and cholesterol (P < 0.05). Therefore, we suggest that more study into mineral factors, fodder quality, soil influence, and experimental sorts of studies are required