Abstract

The dromedary camel is a pseudoruminant adapted to arid climates, which has the physiological, biological and metabolic peculiarities that give it a legendary reputation to survive, reproduce and produce in the extreme conditions of the desert environment considered restrictive for other ruminants. The objectives of this study are: (1) To describe dromedary management practices and their reproductive performance in existing breeding systems, (2) To study gonadal function in male dromedaries, (3) To study the female camel genital tract in different physiological and pathological statuses.
The two breeding methods found in the study area are pastoral and sedentary. They are divided into four systems; transhumant (27%), semi-intensive (61.11%), agro-pastoral (2.78%) and semi-nomadic (8%). In the arid environment, the dromedary is an excellent polyfunctional animal. Specific activities are identified with each type of livestock systems.The reproductive performance survey revealed low levels of fertility (birth-first calving = 3.81 ± 1.20 years, Calving - Calving interval = 22.92 ± 8.16 months). Lack of pasture, lack of manpower and low capital are the main constraints to the production of camel farms.
The adult male camel showed significant seasonal changes of their testicular histomorphometry for both exocrine and endocrine compartments which they significantly explaining biometric variations, as well as plasma concentrations of sex steroids and epididymal sperm reserve. Similarly, hematology and blood biochemistry suggest the action of hydroelectrolytic balance, nutrition, well-being, BCI, stress, degree of physical activity, hormonal status, and environmental factors of extreme aridity on homeostatic balance around the rutting season.
In female camels, a high level of folliculogenesis, expressed by a high frequency of active ovarian structures, low levels of inactive ovaries and a high proportion of females with ovaries showing medium-sized or ovulatory follicles (68.8% - 75%) is observed between November and June, but without cessation of ovarian activity during the dry season. They present a flexible reproduction strategy influenced by age, body index and seasons.
In other hand, single and multiple linear regression formulas are generated to help estimate gestational age. BPD (biparietal diameter) gaves the most accurate prediction (R2 = 0.99, P <0.001, SEpred = 1.24 days).
Finally, the prevalence of she-camels with pathologies of their genital tract was 20%. The total number of identified abnormalities was 41. These conditions are ranked in descending order of incidence by: ovarian diseases (48.8%), uterus abnormalities (21.1%), ovarian bursa pathologies (18.2%), oviduct affections (18.2%), adhesions (15.2%) and pathology of the cervix (3%). The number of females presenting the association of two or three pathologies was 6, ie a prevalence of 3.6%. Finally, each pathological entity has been accompanied by an exhaustive histopathological description.
Keywords: Dromedary, Genital diseases, Livestock, Ovaries, Reproduction, Testes.

Information

Item Type:	Thesis
Divisions:	» Production animales, biotechnologie et sante » Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
ePrint ID:	1968
Date Deposited:	2019-10-24
Further Information:	Google Scholar
URI:	https://www.univ-soukahras.dz/en/publication/article/1968

BibTex