The Camel's (Camelus Dromedarius) Mammary Gland Immune System in Health and Disease

Alluwaimi, Ahmed M.; Salem, Kazem T. Al-Mohammed; Al-Ashqer, Roqya A; Alshubaith, Ibrahim H.

doi:10.4172/2329-888x.1000171

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Camels, like cattle, have four mammary glands in the inguinal region responsible for the synthesis and secretion of milk proteins ( 41 ). Because camels do not have gland cisterns for storage, milk production is a reflex secretion ( 42 ). Previous studies have demonstrated that milkability traits can be assessed using udder and teat morphological traits of camels, contributing to the selection of high-producing camels ( 43 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptome analysis to identify candidate genes related to mammary gland development of Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

et al. 2023

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IntroductionThe demand for camel milk, which has unique therapeutic properties, is increasing. The mammary gland is the organ in mammals responsible for the production and quality of milk. However, few studies have investigated the genes or pathways related to mammary gland growth and development in Bactrian camels. This study aimed to compare the morphological changes in mammary gland tissue and transcriptome expression profiles between young and adult female Bactrian camels and to explore the potential candidate genes and signaling pathways related to mammary gland development.MethodsThree 2 years-old female camels and three 5 years-old adult female camels were maintained in the same environment. The parenchyma of the mammary gland tissue was sampled from the camels using percutaneous needle biopsy. Morphological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed using the Illumina HiSeq platform to analyze changes in the transcriptome between young and adult camels. Functional enrichment, pathway enrichment, and protein–protein interaction networks were also analyzed. Gene expression was verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsHistomorphological analysis showed that the mammary ducts and mammary epithelial cells in adult female camels were greatly developed and differentiated from those in young camels. Transcriptome analysis showed that 2,851 differentially expressed genes were obtained in the adult camel group compared to the young camel group, of which 1,420 were upregulated, 1,431 were downregulated, and 2,419 encoded proteins. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated genes were significantly enriched for 24 pathways, including the Hedgehog signaling pathway which is closely related to mammary gland development. The downregulated genes were significantly enriched for seven pathways, among these the Wnt signaling pathway was significantly related to mammary gland development. The protein–protein interaction network sorted the nodes according to the degree of gene interaction and identified nine candidate genes: PRKAB2, PRKAG3, PLCB4, BTRC, GLI1, WIF1, DKK2, FZD3, and WNT4. The expression of fifteen genes randomly detected by qRT-PCR showed results consistent with those of the transcriptome analysis.DiscussionPreliminary findings indicate that the Hedgehog, Wnt, oxytocin, insulin, and steroid biosynthesis signaling pathways have important effects on mammary gland development in dairy camels. Given the importance of these pathways and the interconnections of the involved genes, the genes in these pathways should be considered potential candidate genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with mammary gland development and milk production in Bactrian camels.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptome analysis to identify candidate genes related to mammary gland development of Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

et al. 2023

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“…Multiple literatures stated that the teat of the camel had more than one orifice and streak canal. Schwartz and Dioli (1992) and Alluwaimi et al (2017) reported that the camel teat possesses 2-3 cisterns. Zayeed et al (1991) stated that sometimes the rear quarter might have three separate mammary glands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Histological, Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Examination of the Cranial and Caudal Gland of Each Lactating Mammary Gland Quarter of One Humped She Camel (Camelus Dromedarius)

2022

Int J Vet Sci

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Studying the complete histological picture of the camel mammary gland plays a major role in understanding the variations in camel milk yield and composition. Therefore, the present study aimed to give more detailed description of the structure of the lactating dromedary she-camel mammary gland. The whole udder of 9 healthy lactating she-camels (Camelus dromedaries) was dissected of the fresh carcasses just after slaughtering. Sections were dissected out and fixed in 10% neutral buffer formalin for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Other parts were fixed in glutaraldehyde for ultrastructure examination. The gross examination of the camel mammary gland revealed that it is composed of four teats. Each teat ended by two separate orifices: cranial and caudal. Each orifice leads to a separate streak canal, separate gland cistern and separate lactating glands, cranial gland, and caudal gland. The examination of the two gland cisterns pointed out that the cranial gland cistern was significantly wider than the caudal one. The histological examination of the cranial and caudal gland revealed that the caudal gland comprised an abundant amount of interstitial connective tissue than the cranial gland. In contrast, the alveoli of the cranial gland were larger in size, more active, and stretched with secretion. The ultrastructure examination showed differences in structure and activity between the secretory cells of the two glands. The immunohistochemical examination of the lactating mammary gland showed strong expression of CK5/6 in both glands. On the other hand, the two glands showed different reactions to CK8/18, Estrogen Receptors and Progesterone Receptors (PR).

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“…The selection of an ideal udder and teat shape is an important step towards adaption to machine milking and helps to develop milking clusters suitable for the machine milking of dromedary camels [ 4 , 5 ]. The mammary gland of the camel consists of four quarters and four teats, like cows [ 6 ]. In contrast, the teats have typically two or sometimes three teat canals, and rarely just one [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on Anatomical Structures of the Dromedary Udder

Müller,

Wernery,

Kinne

et al. 2024

Animals

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The objectives of the present study were to describe specific anatomical structures of the dromedary udder. Eighty-six dromedary udders were examined, taking morphological measurements and producing injection casts using resin, gelatin, and paraffin. The udder of the dromedaries consists of four quarters. The shape of the udders and teats varies considerably between animals and is influenced by age, breeding, and lactation status. The most frequently found udder form was the globular udder (48.8%) and the most common teat form in this study was the funnel teat (44.2%). The most common teat tip shape was a smooth or a slightly rough ring teat (61.6%). Injection casts showed a complete separation of the teat canals. There is also no communication between tributary mammary complexes. Resin injections of the glandular tissue adjacent to the teat cistern showed an extensive branching into large, medium, and small milk ducts. Frozen sections of the udder revealed complete separation of the right and left mammary complex through the Sulcus intermammarius. The teat sections showed longitudinal folds from the tip of the teat to the base of the teat. A ring fold at the transition from the Ductus papillaris to the teat cistern was present. The results of this study increase the knowledge of the anatomical structures of the dromedary udder, which may be useful for breeding a selection of dairy dromedaries.

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The Camel's (Camelus Dromedarius) Mammary Gland Immune System in Health and Disease

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

Transcriptome analysis to identify candidate genes related to mammary gland development of Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

Transcriptome analysis to identify candidate genes related to mammary gland development of Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

Comparative Histological, Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Examination of the Cranial and Caudal Gland of Each Lactating Mammary Gland Quarter of One Humped She Camel (Camelus Dromedarius)

Study on Anatomical Structures of the Dromedary Udder

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