Impact of vitamin AD3 E treatment before application of controlled intra-vaginal drug releaser on clinical and hematologic findings, ovarian hormones, and calving rates in she-camels (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>)

Abstract

Background: The scope of using controlled intra-vaginal drug releasers (CIDR) in the camel industry was small relative to that of cow, sheep, and goat.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of intramuscular injection of AD3 E (25 ml/400 kg) as a premedication protocol before CIDR  treatment on ovarian hormones profile and calving rate in dromedary she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) through measuring concentrations of  progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) before, during, and after CIDR use.

Methods: The study was conducted on she-camels (C. dromedarius) (n = 24) aged between 6 and 14 years. The animals were assigned into two equal  groups: CIDR treated group (CIDR_gr) and AD3 E plus CIDR treated group (CIDR⁺ _gr).

Results: Except for hemoglobin, the clinical and hematological findings showed no remarkable change either within each independent group or between  CIDR_gr and CIDR⁺ _gr. Serum P4 and E2 concentrations differed significantly between the first 7 days (during CIDR use) and days from 9 to 15  (after CIDR use) in dromedary camels. Serum concentrations of P4 and E2 showed significant elevation at CIDR⁺ gr at day 0 compared with CIDR_gr. This  significant increase in serum of P4 and E2 at CIDR⁺ _gr compared to those of CIDR_gr was also observed either during CIDR use (days 3, 5, and 7) or after  CIDR use (days 9, 11, 13, and 15). During CIDR use, serum concentrations of P4 were negatively correlated with those of E2 either in CIDR_gr or CIDR⁺ _gr,  however, they were positively correlated after CIDR removal either in CIDR_gror CIDR⁺ _gr. Regarding the calving rate, it was highest in CIDR⁺ _gr whereas  CIDR_gr showed the lowest one.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the AD3 E pretreatment protocol of she-camels before insertion of CIDR could be used  successfully during the breeding season to improve fertility in she-camels whereas the serum ovarian hormones profile and calving rates were clearly  changed due to pretreatment of she-camels with AD3 E before CIDR insertion