Blood Trace Element Status in Camels: A Review

Abstract

Trace minerals play an important role in animal health and productivity. They are involved also in many physiological activities, and their deficiency causes a variety of pathological problems and metabolic defects, reducing consequently the animal productivity. The demand for animal products in semi-arid areas is rapidly increasing, and the supply is still below the required level, partially due to low animal productivity. Camels (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) are considered one of the main sources of healthy, high-quality meat and milk for human consumption within most of the countries in the semi-arid regions. Despite their efficient adaptation to their environment, camels can suffer from the growth retardation of newborns, low feed efficiency, anemia, poor fertility, poor reproduction and many other metabolic disorders. It is well known that trace mineral deficiencies and trace mineral toxicities can influence camels’ production and reproductive efficiency, as well as many aspects of their growth and metabolism. Evaluating the trace minerals status of camels and their variability is an obvious step toward improving camels’ productivity and health. Thus, the present article reviews the data regarding the status of trace minerals (copper, zinc, iron, selenium, manganese, cobalt, iodine, fluorine, molybdenum, sulfur, bromide and nickel) in camel blood and their physiological variability, with a focus on their deficiency and toxicity effects.

Depraved appetite in dromedary camels: Clinical, ultrasonographic and postmortem findings

“…Both trace element deficiency and toxicity were reported to affect the camels’ reproductive and productive efficiency, as well as different aspects of their metabolism and growth. Therefore, assessing the status of trace elements in camels is an important step toward improving the health and productivity of camels ( Abdelrahman et al ., 2022 ). Among these elements, cobalt plays an important role as it is utilized by rumen microflora for synthesizing vitamin B 12 resulting in chronic anemia.…”

Transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis reveal the dietary copper deficiency and supplementation effects of liver gene expression and metabolite change in grazing sheep

“…Trace mineral elements are essential nutrients for the growth and development of ruminants. Cu is present in various proteins and enzymes, and maintaining an appropriate concentration of Cu is essential for effectively carrying out its physiological, catalytic, and regulatory functions [ 22 ]. Dietary Cu deficiency and supplementation did not significantly alter liver weight, which indicated that Cu status in grazing sheep does not affect liver weight variation.…”

Active Sulfate-Reducing Bacterial Community in the Camel Gut

“…Periods of undernutrition for copper and zinc have been reported for camel metabolism [ 52 ]. Nutritional factors are believed to control copper status in camel rather than physiology [ 53 ]. The authors report a significant effect of copper supplements in the form of copper sulfate salt.…”

“…The authors report a significant effect of copper supplements in the form of copper sulfate salt. Iron deficiency has not been reported in animals grazing in natural conditions [ 53 ]. The formation and excretion of chalcopyrite due to active sulfate reduction in the camel gut can be an overlooked cause of iron and copper deficiency.…”