Inhibitory potential of natural plant extracts against Escherichia coli strain isolated from diarrheic camel calves.

Background: Camel calf's diarrhea is considered the chief economic loss in the camelid population. There is currently no vaccine licensed to prevent colibacillosis in camel calves. The new era of bacterial antibiotic resistance explains the treatment failure and the high mortality and morbidity associated with the disease. Current protective treatments have thus far limited efficacy and need to be replaced. Due to their antimicrobial properties and safety, natural products are recently finding a capital role in infection management. Aims: The current study explores Escherichia coli F17 susceptibility as a clinical strain isolated from diarrheic camel calves to a wide panel of natural products. Methods: Agar diffusion method, integrity of cell membrane, hydrophobicity of bacterial surface, biofilm assays, and motility were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Coffea, Retama raetam, Moringa oleifera, Juniperus phoenicea, Uritica dioica, Camellia sinensis, Lavandula angustifolia, and Cuminum cyminum extracts against isolated bacteria. Results: Interestingly, all eight tested extracts have the damaging ability of E. coli F17's cell membrane and cause the nucleic acid release after 12 hours. Escherichia coli F17 strain has the surface of hydrophobicity which changed after contact with extracts of the plant. Moreover, the motility of the studied bacteria changed after exposure to all plant extracts. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that all extracts, exempt U. dioica, can remove up to 50% biofilm of E. coli biomass as compared with the control. Natural extracts can be used as potential antimicrobial agents to mitigate diarrhea in camel calves.

Impact of various watering regimes on physiological and hematological parameters in intensively kept Marecha (Camelus dromedarius) she-camels in summer season.

Background: Camel is vital to daily life as a source of food and means of transportation, and just as importantly, its milk and urine have been used as medicine for diverse ailments since ancient times for people living in the desert region. Aim: The current study was planned to investigate the effect of different watering regimes on physiological and hematological parameters of lactating Marecha camels during the summer season. Methods: For this purpose, 12 lactating she-camels of almost similar age (8-13 years) and parity (2-5) were selected in a completely randomized design with four animals per treatment at the Camel Breeding and Research Station Rakh Mahni District Bhakkar. The trial was completed in 60 days, while 7 days were given as an acclimatization period for adaptation. The treatments were as follows: Group-1 (G-1) considered as the control had access to water once in a day; Group-2 (G-2) had access to water once in 4 days, and Group-3 (G-3) had access to water once in 6 days. Animals were housed individually for feeding and watering in an intensive management system. The same feed consisting of green fodder (Lucerne) and gram straw (Cicer arientinum) was offered to all animals. The average ambient temperature and relative humidity were 39°C-41°C and 55%-63%, respectively. Result: The mean values (p < 0.001) of water intake were found to be 82.94 ± 1.34 l in G-3, which was higher than G-1 and G-2. Blood analysis showed that packed cell volume, white blood cells, and hemoglobin were affected significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: No serious changes in complete blood count and physiological parameters were reported in this study. So, this shows that the camel is unique in its physiological adaptation in hot and hostile environments.

Comparative growth response related to hair mineral analysis in dromedary camel calves.

Background: The dromedary camel plays a significant role in supporting the livelihood of pastoral and agropastoral systems, as well as a source of income for the national economy in arid regions. Aim: The current study was executed to check the comparative growth response in relation to hair mineral status in Marecha camel calves reared under an intensive management system and an extensive management system in Thal desert Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: Twelve male and female Camelus dromedarius calves of almost the same weight and age were divided into two groups of 6 each (3 male and 3 female). The calves of the first group were maintained at the Camel Breeding and Research Station, Rakh Mahni, in a semi-open housing system, while the second group was maintained in available housing under field conditions. Calves in the first group were fed concentrate at the rate of 1 kg/head/day along with gram straw (Cicer arientinum) ad libitum, while calves in the second group were allowed to graze/browse for 10 hours daily along with household refusals, including kitchen wastes. Water was provided twice a day. Impressum's digital weighing scale was used for fortnightly weighing. Data collected on different parameters were subjected to statistical analysis with 2 × 2 factorial arrangements of treatments under a completely randomized design. Results: After the 120-day trial period, the mean body weight and average daily gain of male and female calves were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in IMS as 80.8 ± 2.7, 77.8 ± 2.7 kg and 0.67 ± 0.02, 0.65 ± 0.02 kg/days than EMS as 64.5 ± 2.6, 52.9 ± 2.6 kg and 0.54 ± 0.02, 0.44 ± 0.02 kg/days. Intake of crop residues (p < 0.05) was found to be 6.9 ± 0.45 and 6.4 ± 0.45 kg/days for male and female calves in IMS, respectively, and 3.5 ± 0.23 for male and female calves in EMS, respectively. The conversion index g/kg average daily intake was 97.1, 101.5 and 154.3, 125.7 for male and female calves in IMS and EMS, respectively. Regarding hair mineral status, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn concentrations were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) among calf groups in IMS and EMS. Conclusion: This study indicates that wool analysis and management of weight gain in camel calves should be further explored to support increased meat supply in arid regions.

Pregnancy status and thyroid function in semi-intensive-kept Marecha she-camels (Camelus dromedarius): managerial implications.

Pakistani Marecha dromedaries, a distinctive breed not covered in the empirical data of the literature reviewed existing for thyroidal physiology in camels, are subjected to investigate thyroid function in pregnant multiparous (n = 22) and non-pregnant nor lactating (n = 22) females. The function of the thyroid gland in pubescent she-camels has evoked discrepancies among researchers exploring this topic in different breeds evolving in divergent environments. Despite season, age, sex, reproductive status, health disorders, and stress are reported as potential modulating factors, these research studies failed to find statistically significant results supporting their hypothesis. For the current research, serum samples were obtained twice a week during one month from semi-intensive-kept Marecha she-camels and analyzed for triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations. Feed ingredients and additives were quality assessed to examine their nutrient profile, with special attention to protein content and exogenous calcium administration. Statistical differences in serum thyroid hormone levels were found between gravid and non-gravid females, being pregnant she-camels the subgroup with higher levels (P < 0.05). The genetic background of such phenotypic variability in thyroid metabolism in camels has to be further addressed to adapt husbandry practices for breed-specific requirements. Meanwhile, local management strategies are susceptible of accurate routines for sustainable farming.

Impact of early weaning on constituents and nutritional values of camel milk in modern system.

Background: Camel milk is very suitable for human nutritional requirements, and its composition has similarities to mother's milk. Many scientific researches focusing on the myth of nutritional and therapeutic properties of camel milk have been brought to public attention. Aim: This study aims to clarify the impact of early weaning on constituents and nutritional values of the milk of camels reared under a modern farming system during four months postpartum. Methods: Eight lactating camels and eight calves were selected immediately after calving and were assigned to two equal groups under a semi-intensive system in a farm. In the early weaning group (G1), all the calves were allowed to freely suckle their mother's teats from birth to 30 days postpartum. Afterward, the calves were used to stimulate milk letdown for each of the camels' teats for a few seconds before the milking procedure. While in the late weaning group (G2), the calves freely suckled their mother's teats up to 80 days postpartum. Afterward, the calves were restricted from suckling and were used mainly to stimulate milk letdown for the milking procedure. Collection of milk samples started in the 2nd week of postpartum and continued over biweekly intervals up to 16 weeks to determine major fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF), and density percentages. Results: The results revealed significant differences in fat, lactose, and density content between groups. We reported significant increases in the percentages of fat, lactose, protein, and SNF levels, besides fluctuations in density with the advancement of the lactation stage. Conclusion: In the early weaning group, the dams produced milk containing high levels of fat and SNF compared to the lactating dams in the late weaning group.