THIS STUDY aimed to determine the changes in the hormonal and biochemical profile of pregnant dromedary camels to provide a baseline data under Egyptian climatic conditions. Blood samples were collected from15 pregnant she-camels aged 8-11 years old just postconception and thereafter monthly during gestation period and during periparturient period (at days 15, 7,4and 1prepartum,at parturition and at days 1, 4, 7 and 15 postpartum).Progesterone level increased significantly (P<0.05) after conception and during the1 st and the 2 nd trimester of pregnancy then declined significantly (P<0.05) during the 3 rd trimester. Meanwhile its level decreased significantly (P<0.05) during periparturient period. Cortisol level significantly (P<0.05) increased at the 3 rd trimester and continued increasing significantly during prepartum period with a maximum level on the day of parturition after that it was markedly decreased during the few days postpartum to day 15 postpartum. Thyroid hormones levels were significant (P<0.05) decreased in their levels from early to late gestation then increased significantly (P<0.05) from day of parturition to day 15 postpartum. Total protein and albumin were significantly low (P<0.05) in the 2 nd and the 3 rd trimesters than the first one with no significance alterations in globulin levels. Total antioxidant, glutathione and ascorbic acid levels were lower in the 3 rd trimester than others, whereas the levels were relatively low in prepartum than 15 days postpartum. Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly increased (P<0.05) during late pregnancy period as a result of the physiological stress of pregnancy

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The objective of this study is to characterize the prevailing production system of raising camels in Marsa-Matrouh governorate in Egypt. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to collect the required data randomly from 58 respondents in four regions, during the year 2020/2021. The questionnaire contains socioeconomic characteristics, herd size, management practices, milk production, reproduction performance, birth and weaning weights, and the main constraints. The obtained results showed that more than 95% of the camel's breeders were illiterate or barely read and write. Their main job is farming. Most of the breeders were landowners. The majority of the breeders are raising sheep, goats, and poultry besides camels. All camel breeders are applying natural mating. The average age of the camel at first calving was 5.5 years, and days open were 56.4 days. Calving interval ranged from 20.8 to 22.1 months. Daily milk yield was ranged from 5-10kg/head, and lactation period was around 9 months. The average birth weight for both female and male calves was 30kg and 35kg, respectively. Camel calves are weaned at about 145kg and 7 months age. The main constraints facing camel breeders were increasing feeding costs, water shortage, poor pasture, and poor veterinary care.The study concluded that camels play an important role for the people living in the harsh climate. Camel breeders are facing many problems which affect camel productivity and reflect on their economic livelihood. Proper and prompt moving is badly needed to optimize performance and achieve efficient camel production and economic return.

The camel industry uses traditional (i.e., iron brands and ear tags) and modern (i.e., microchips) identification (ID) systems without having performance results of reference. Previously iron-branded ( = 45; 1 yr) and microchipped ( = 59; 7 yr) camels showed problems of healing (8.6% of brands) and reading (only 42.9% of brands and 69.5% of microchips were readable), which made their use inadvisable. With the aim of proposing suitable ID systems for different farming conditions, an on-field study was performed using a total of 528 dromedaries at 4 different locations (Egypt, = 83; Spain, = 304; Saudi Arabia, = 90; and Tunisia, = 51). The ID devices tested were visual (button ear tags, 28.5 mm diameter, = 178; double flag ear tags, 50 by 15 mm, = 83; both made of polyurethane) and electronic (ear tags, = 90, and rumen boluses, = 555). Electronic ear tags were polyurethane-loop type (75 by 9 mm) with a container in which a 22-mm transponder of full-duplex technology was lodged. Electronic boluses of 7 types, varying in dimensions (50 to 76 mm length, 11 to 21 mm width, and 12.7 to 82.1 g weight) and specific gravity (SG; 1.49 to 3.86) and each of them containing a 31-mm transponder of half-duplex technology, were all administered to the dromedaries at the beginning of the study. When a low-SG bolus was lost, a high-SG bolus was readministered. Readability rates of each ID system were evaluated during 1 to 3 yr, according to device and location, and yearly values were estimated for comparison. On a yearly basis, visual ear tag readability was not fully satisfactory; it was lower for rectangular ear tags (66.3%) than for button ear tags (80.9%). Yearly readability of electronic ear tags was 93.7%. Bolus readability dramatically varied according to their SG; the SG < 2.0 boluses were fully lost after 8 mo. In contrast, the SG > 3.0 boluses were efficiently retained (99.6 to 100%) at all locations. In conclusion, according to the expected long lifespan of camels, low ID performances were observed for iron brands, injectable microchips, and ear tags (visual and electronic), making their use inadvisable as unique ID systems in camels. The high readability of dense electronic boluses recommended their use as a permanent ID device of reference in camels.

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