Ascorbic acid status of female camels during different phases of reproduction

There is suggestive evidence that a low status of ascorbic acid in camels enhances their risk for infectious diseases. This study was carried out to disclose the role of reproduction, if any, in affecting ascorbic acid status. The associations between the reproductive cycle and ascorbic acid contents in plasma and leukocytes were studied in Sudanese camels browsing on local vegetation. Ascorbic acid status was found to be lowest during pregnancy and highest during lactation. Estrus versus non-estrus was associated with high vitamin C status. Brucellosis-positive camels showed decreased levels of ascorbic acid in plasma and leukocytes. Possibly, the phases of non-estrus and pregnancy in camels invoke an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to a lower ascorbic acid status.