The Effect of Management and the Environmental Condition on Certain Blood Parameters and Thyroid Hormones in Butana Camel

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of the season, management system and physiological status on some blood constituents and thyroid hormones level. This study was done from March 2013 to February 2014 in Tambol, Butana area. Sixty healthy one-humped she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) aged between 6 and 9 years were used in the study. The animals were divided into four groups: group (1) penned camels, group (2) grazing camels, group (3) pregnant camels and group (4) non-pregnant camels. Blood samples (10ml) were collected from jugular vein, monthly throughout the experimental period. Red blood cells count, haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed-cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte indices, total and differential leukocytes count, total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, T3, T4, Mg+, Na+, K+ and Ca++ were determined using the standard laboratory methods. It was found that, rectal temperature (oC), respiration rate (breath/min) and pulse rate (beat/min) increased significantly during summer (37.86+0.41, 14.84+1.47, 41.83+3.75), respectively. Group (1) registered higher rectal temperature and respiratory rate, and lower pulse rate compared with the group (2). Group (3) showed higher pulse rate than group (4). RBCs (X 106/mm3) decreased during summer (7.00+0.92) compared to autumn (7.12+0.97) and winter (7.21+1.01). Significantly (p<0.001) lower values of PCV (%) and MCV (fl) were obtained during autumn (27.68+3.43, 39.19+3.94) and no significant differences were observed during summer and winter, while the Significantly (p<0.001) higher value of MCHC (g/dl) was recorded during autumn (39.74+4.94) compared to the values recorded during winter (36.15+4.32) and summer (36.29+3.87). Group (2) and group (3) showed significantly (p<0.001) increases in RBCs count and PCV, and decreases in MCV values. The highest value of TWBCs (X 103/mm3) was recorded during autumn (17.72+3.57) while the lowest value was recorded during summer (13.46+2.62). The lowest neutrophils percentage (%) was observed during winter (44.70+4.27) while the highest value was recorded during summer (54.52+5.34). The highest values of lymphocytes percentage (%) was recorded during winter (47.84+4.64) compared to the values obtained during summer (37.84+3.19) and autumn (43.74+3.86). Group (2) registered higher TWBCs and lymphocytes, and lower neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes compared with group (1). Group (3) registered higher TWBCs, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes, and lower neutrophils compared with group (4). Serum total protein (g/dl), albumin (g/dl), and cholesterol (mg/dl) increased during autumn (6.86+0.77, 3.63+0.65, 50.40+7.34), respectively, compare to summer (5.73+0.66, 2.51+0.42, 25.24+4.11) and winter values (5.82+0.6, 2.82+0.36, 25.05+3.68). During summer, triglycerides (mg/dl) (25.72+2.52) concentration decreased but glucose (mg/dl) (107.58+5.87) increased compared to autumn (35.77+3.89, 99.05+4.48) and winter (35.06+3.23, 103.84+5.63). Group (2) registered higher total protein and glucose values than group (1), while group (1) registered higher cholesterol than group (2). Pregnancy significantly reduced serum concentration of albumin, cholesterol and glucose. The animals showed lower values for T3 and T4 (nmol) during summer (1.36+0.36, 114.91+3.84), respectively, compared to autumn (1.67+0.46, 129.35+4.55) and winter (1.73+0.41, 132.63+4.44). T3 and T4 values obtained by group (2) were higher than those obtained by the group (1). T3 level was higher in group (3) than that in group (4). During winter there were high levels of K+ (mEg/L) (4.72+0.55) and Ca++ (mg/dl) (9.05+1.01) compared to autumn (4.24+0.58, 8.75+0.95) and summer (4.30+0.43, 8.27+1.51). Group (2) registered higher values for Na+ (mEg/L) and K+ than group (1), while group (1) registered higher values for Ca++ than group (2). Pregnancy significantly reduced serum Ca++. It was concluded that, the season, management system and pregnancy affected clinical parameter, some haematolgical values, blood metabolites, some serum minerals, and thyroid hormones.