Changes in milk production, hematology, metabolites, mineral and hormonal parameters of primiparous and multiparous Maghrebi dairy she-camel during nonbreeding season

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate changes in milk production, hematological, metabolites, mineral and hormonal parameters of primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) Maghrebi she-camels during nonbreeding season in Egypt. A total of 12 Maghrebi she-camels at lactation period, 6 PP (4–5 years of age) and 6 MP (6–13 years old) and 2–7 parities, were used in this study. Average milk yield was higher in MP than in PP at each lactation month. Milk fat, protein and total solid contents were higher in PP than in MP. The differences in hematological indices, biochemical parameters and mineral contents between PP and MP were not significant. The differences in leptin concentration between PP and MP were not significant. The differences in concentration of progesterone (P4) or estradiol (E2) between PP and MP were not significant, although both P4 and E2 concentrations tended to be higher in PP than in MP. Both P4 and E2 levels in PP or MP showed nearly similarity at nonbreeding months from May to August, then sharply increased during September and October. Results from this study suggested nonbreeding season of she-camels during May–August interval and longer breeding season from September to April of she-camel in Egypt.

KEYWORDS:

• Dromedary camel
• milk yield
• milk composition
• leptin
• progesterone

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.