magnocellular-neuro-secretory-cells in supraoptic and para ventricular hypothalamic nuclei while stored in posterior pituitary lobe then released in the blood as a result of a neuroendocrine reflex. OT is packaged in granules, then transported-down with posterior-pituitary-glandaxon and excreted to the systemic circulation with carrier protein, the neurophysins. It is related to the reproductive

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Twelve Marecha calves were allotted randomly to two comparable groups of 6, (3♂ and 3♀). First group animals were reared under intensive management system (IMS), fed concentrate @ 1 kg/h/d plus crop residues of gram (Cicer arientinum) adlibitum while in second group, calves were reared under semi-intensive management system (SIMS), sent for grazing 8 hours daily plus gram crop residues ad lib. Twice watering was done in both the groups. At end of trial mean body weight and ADG of male and female calves was significantly increased (P<0.05) in IMS (80.83+2.7, 77.83+2.7 kg and 0.674+0.02, 0.649+0.02 kg/d) than SIMS (50.33+2.7, 45.16+2.7 kg and 0.419+0.02, 0.376+0.02 kg/d), respectively. Intake of crop residues varied (P<0.05) between groups (6.93+0.45, 6.37+0.45; 4.09+0.46, 3.83+0.46 kg/d in male and female calves, respectively). In behavioral preference the first in order was kari (Capparis spinosa), dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris) and kikar (Acacia nilotica) among bushes, grasses and trees, respectively. Different biometrical parameters were significantly increased (P<0.05) in IMS as compared to SIMS. Regarding blood chemistry, the levels of hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus were higher (P<0.05) in calves of IMS than SIMS while urea, creatinine and sugar were nonsignificantly different among groups of both management systems. The total feeding cost per calf for 120 days was higher in IMS than SIMS while the cost per kg body weight gain was less and economical in the former as compared to the latter group.

The present research is aimed to evaluate the diverse husbandry practices, ethno-veterinary practices, socio-economic status and distressing constraints of camel pastoralists inhabiting desert (Thal) areas of Pakistan, where they maintain herds of Marecha and Barela dromedaries in extensive production regimes. For this purpose, 200 pastoralists were selected at random to fill out an on-site questionnaire. According to the farmers’ responses, it was perceived that their living status had improved in the last decades due to the progressive optimization of camel productivity and herdsmen responsiveness. In contrast, calf mortality rates, some traditional husbandry practices and the lack of market investments continued to be the major constraints affecting camel overall production. Ethno-veterinary medicines are widely applied as primary health care, thus influencing the general health, production potentials and relief of camels in the study region. With this scenario, concerned stakeholders and authorized institutions must re-evaluate the urgent needs of indigenous communities; their education and husbandry skills to promote economic/ financial support in low-income remote areas. In turn, traditional communities will be adapted to the changing socio-economic and cultural values with regard to camel husbandry and welfare. Current societal perceptions and demands within this livestock production industry, where camels are conceived as a sustainable food security animal, if accomplished to the highest possible extent, will increase effectiveness of the camel value chain and breeders’ quality of life will be noticeably enhanced. However, this success could be multiplied if government may devise community education, veterinary cover, marketing facilitates and interest-free small loans for pastoralists.

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Camel plays a pivotal role in the subsistence pastoral economy of diverse ecozones extending from Gobi Desert and India in central Asia to Somalia and Ethiopia in the horn of Africa. Camel has special attributes including its appearance and ability to survive in hot, harsh and versatile arid environments. Camel has fascinated mankind as it can tolerate many stresses like heat; scarcity of water; water with high salinity and shortage of feed. Camel can digest dry matter and coarse crude fiber better than any other ruminants. Among domestic animals, the dromedary is most important animal being survive in hot, arid and semi-arid regions and has potential to produce higher quality foods (meat and milk) under extreme environments at lower costs. Camel can tolerate solar radiations, higher temperatures and water scarcity. Camel consume those feed materials which remains un-utilized by other domestic animals, thus thrive well on sandy deserts with poor vegetation. Adaptation of Camelids in Pakistan is very well to their native environment as they are performing and well sustaining a life in hostile deserts. The dromedaries provide milk and meat to the pastorals and herders in those areas where the survival of other livestock species is very tough. So, camels equilibrate the food security chain in the deep deserts and provide nourishment to its keepers; proving it to be a good candidate of food security and sovereignty in the desert ecosystem.

Authors' Contribution FAK performed the experiments. NB contributed in in vitro experiments. SK provided birds and helped in experimental work. QA and NA helped in prepration.