PERIPHERAL BLOOD CONCENTRATIONS OF PROGESTERONE AND OESTROGEN IN FEMALE CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) DURING VARIOUS REPRODUCTIVE STAGES

Document Type : Research article

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Abstract

Blood samples for the determination of plasma progesterone and oestrogens were collected from 6 she-camels through 3 consecutive years during pregnancy and post partum period. The females were served by a prepubertal male followed by a mature male. Progesterone profiles showed fluctuation throughout gestation but fell to minimum levels after parturition. The pattern of oestrogens release indicated follicular activity throughout pregnancy. There was a large increase in both hormones in the last few days before parturition, and could be associated with it. The pattern of progesterone and
oestrogens release during the post-partum period indicated that ovarian activity in camels passes through a specific period of inactivity post-partum followed by a new wave of follicular growth that initiates oestrus and receptivity of the male at about 32 days from parturition.

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