Study on Infertility Related to Persistent Corpus Luteum in Dromedary She-camels Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different doses of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) for treatment of persistent corpus luteum (CL) and monitor genera of bacteria causing endometritis in dromedary she- camels. A total of 20 animals with history of infertility were randomly and equally divided into two groups (n= 10) during the breeding season. Group I: received 3ml (0.75 mg) and group II: received 5 ml (1.25 mg) of cloprostenol intramuscularly, 3 doses every 10 days. Trans-rectal ultrasonographic examinations and sexual receptivity assessment were performed for all camels at the day of admission and every 10 days (days 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40). Coinciding with ultrasonographic scanning, blood samples were collected at every 10 days for measuring serum progesterone level using ELISA test. Uterine swabs were collected from all camels by double guarded culture swab for bacterial isolation and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Recovered she-camels with mature follicle (12–18 mm) were induced for ovulation using 0.021 mg of buserelin acetate and allowed to mate naturally. The results revealed that all camels (100%) showed abstinence (erection and curving of her tail, raising head and refusing the male) and there is no significant difference in diameters of corpus luteum (CL) (2.45±0.15, 2.47±0.29 cm and 2.43±0.15, 2.43±0.30) and serum progesterone levels (2.45±0.30 and 2.67±0.28 ng/mL) between two groups at day 0 and 10, respectively. At day 20 and 30, the diameters of CL were significantly (p≤ 0.05) decreased in the group II (1.35±0.29 and 0.74±0.24 cm) than those in the group I (1.74±0.09 and 1.19±0.07 cm). There was higher significant difference (p≤ 0.05) between progesterone level in the group I (1.23 ± 0.16 ng/ml) and group II (0.92± 0.37 ng/ml) at day 30. Complete receptivity was 0% and 50% in the group II and group I, respectively. In the group II, the maximum diameter of dominant follicle was 1.33 ± 0.42 cm at day 30, while in the group I was reached 1.38 ± 0.30 cm at day 40. The most isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (70%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (25%) (sensitive to 100% gentamycin), Clostridium perfringens (10%),Pasteurella pneumotropica (5%) and Brevundimonas diminuta (5%) (sensitive 100% to ampicillin).The pregnancy rate was higher in the group II than those in the group I (60 and 20 %, respectively). In conclusion, this study showed that two doses of 1.25 mg or three doses of 0.75 mg PGF2α can be treated persistent CL in the dromedary she-camels. The most common organisms caused endometritis were Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus haemolyticus and can be treated by gentamycin. Strong positive correlation of the CL diameter with serum progesterone level was found significant (r= 0.93). High pregnancy rate (60%) can be obtained after treatment of persistent CL using 1.25 mg PGF2α.