Seasonal variation in botanical and chemical composition of plants selected by one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

The present study has been conducted in order to investigate the seasonal variation in the botanical and chemical composition of plant parts consumed by camels (Camelus dromedarius). The study has been conducted on 210 indigenous Arabian camel of different age (1-18 years) and sex and kept under natural range in southern Darfur, Sudan. The findings of the present study indicate that camels are selective browser rather than grazer. Furthermore, they are selective feeder to the parts of pasture plants they consume. The percentages of Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fibre (CF) and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) of pasture plants selected by camels were significantly higher, while ash percentage was significantly lower during the dry season.

Seasonal variation in blood constituents of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

This study was carried out in southern Darfur, Sudan during dry-and green (wet) season and was designed to investigate the effects of season (dry-versus green season) on the blood constituents of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). Two hundred and ten blood samples collected from apparently healthy one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of different age and sex groups were used in this study, out of which 110 blood samples were collected during the dry season, while 100 blood samples were collected during the green season. The data analysis revealed that the season had significant effects on some of the haematological indices and the blood metabolites and minerals concentrations. The red blood cells count, lymphocytes and basophils percentages increased significantly during the dry season, while the osmotic resistance, MCV, MCH and neutrophils percentage increased significantly during the green season. The serum levels of total protein, globulins and triglycerides increased significantly during the dry season, while the concentrations of plasma glucose and serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) increased significantly during the green season. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the nutritional status could induce significant changes in the physiological responses of the dromedary camel. The available forage during the green season improved the body condition, the blood metabolic and mineral profile in camels. The results indicate that despite camel's selectivity and unique adaptation to arid conditions; glucose, urea, P and Ca levels were lower during the dry season. Therefore, it could be beneficial to provide concentrate feed to camels kept under dry tropical conditions.

Milk composition of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius): nutritional effects and correlation to corresponding blood parameters.

This study has been conducted in order to study the possible correlations between the nutritional value of plants selected by camels during the dry and green season and the corresponding blood and milk composition of the dromedary camels. The study has been conducted on 50 indigenous Arabian camels of different age and kept under natural range in Southern Darfur. The dromedary camels selected plants with significantly (p<0.05) higher crude protein content during the dry season and kept the serum albumin concentration and milk protein content at the same levels as those observed during the green season. However, the significantly (p<0.05) higher lipogenic content (ether extract + crude fiber) of the plant selected during the dry season resulted in significantly (p<0.05) higher serum triacylglycerides concentration and significantly (p<0.05) higher milk fat content compared to that of the green season. Although, the camels selected plants with significantly (p<0.05) higher nitrogen free extract content during the dry season, the plasma glucose level and the milk lactose content were significantly (p<0.05) reduced compared to that of the green season. The significantly (p<0.05) lower ach content of the plants selected during the dry season resulted in significantly lower serum calcium + phosphorus concentration, but did not reflect on the ash content of the milk. The results indicate that despite camels selectivity and unique adaptation to arid conditions, the milk lactose-and fat content were affected by the nutritional scarcity during the dry season. Therefore, it could be beneficial to provide energy-rich feed supplemented with calcium and phosphorus to camels kept under dry tropical conditions.