Journal article
Behavioral indicators to detect ovarian phase in the dromedary she-camel
Theriogenology, Vol.85(9), pp.1644-1651
06/2016
PMID: 26928646
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Abstract
This pilot study was conducted to test the hypothesis that female camels behave differently in various ovarian phases in the presence of a restrained male camel. The aim was to identify behavioral patterns which could be used as indicators to detect ovulatory phase by visual observation in the presence of a restrained virile bull. Twenty-four healthy, nonpregnant, and nonlactating adult females were used. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed for each animal once a week over a 3-week period to determine the phase of the ovarian cycle. Females were considered to be in the ovulatory phase (O) when there was at least one preovulatory follicle (12<Ø<19 mm) protruding from the ovarian surface, and in the nonovulatory phase (NO), when growing follicles, regressing follicles, or corpora lutea were detected. Immediately after examination, each female was freely exposed to a restrained bull for 15 minutes, and her behaviors were filmed. The videos were analyzed through a focal animal-sampling ethogram (states: looking at the male; looking outside; standing close to the male; searching; and lying down; events: interaction with the male; urination; defecation; sound emission; and steps). A score for tail position (tail score: 1 = close to the vulva, 2 = horizontal, 3 = vertical) and for interest in the bull (male time score: from 1 to 5; 1 = <20% of observation period spent near the bull; 5 = more than 80%) were recorded. Ovulatory phase camels showed higher interest in the male than nonovulatory phases: they stood close to the male for longer periods (P = 0.0159), interacted with the male more frequently (P = 0.0004), and tended to lie down in front of him (P = 0.1202). Moreover, ovulatory phase had a significant effect on male time score (P < 0.01), mature follicular ovarian phase being associated with higher scores. Seeking the male has already been proposed as a behavioral indicator of estrus in camels, this has now been confirmed using a standardized ethogram. The present results clarify that camels behave differently in different ovarian phases and that monitoring their behavior in the presence of a restrained bull could help detect their ovulatory phase. This would have profound implications for enhancing fertility in dromedary camels by improving timing of mating or artificial insemination.
Details
- Title
- Behavioral indicators to detect ovarian phase in the dromedary she-camel
- Creators
- B. Padalino - University of Bari Aldo MoroS.A. Rateb - Desert Research CenterN.B. Ibrahim - Desert Research CenterD. Monaco - University of Bari Aldo MoroG.M. Lacalandra - University of Bari Aldo MoroK.A. El-Bahrawy - Desert Research Center
- Publication Details
- Theriogenology, Vol.85(9), pp.1644-1651
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Number of pages
- 8
- Identifiers
- 991013293553602368
- Copyright
- © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Veterinary Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article