Effect of Season on the Productivity of Camels (Camelus dromedarius and the Prevalence of Their Major Parasites in Eastern Ethiopia

The productivity and the prevalence rates of the major parasites of camels (Camelus dromedarius) kept under traditional management conditions at Errer valley, Ethiopia were assessed for a year (October 1997–September 1998). The daily milk offtake was significantly higher (p<0.05) during the wet season (3.12±0.03 L) than during the dry season (1.49±0.04 L). Likewise, significantly higher (p<0.05) daily weight gains (50.68±0.54 g) were observed during the wet season than during dry season in immature camels aged 1–4 years. Trypanosoma evansi, Sarcoptes scabiei and strongyle parasites were present throughout the year, but their prevalence rates were higher during the rainy months than during the dry months. The minimum and maximum point prevalence rates for T. evansi were 5.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Similarly, the point prevalence rates for S. scabiei also varied from 4.7% during the dry season to 21.7% during the rainy months. The highest strongyle egg counts per gram of faeces and highest point prevalence rate (85.7%) were observed in October, a rainy month, whereas the lowest number of eggs per gram of faeces and the lowest point prevalence rate (61.5%) were recorded in April, a dry month.     

An Assessment of the Productivity for Meat and the Carcase Yield of Camels (Camelus dromedarius) and of the Consumption of Camel Meat in the Eastern Region of Ethiopia

A survey on camel meat productivity and consumption was conducted in Jijiga and Harar towns in 1999. Almost all the camels slaughtered were adults, predominantly males. Measurements of height, hump girth and thoracic girth were used to estimate the live weight. All the measurements were significantly greater in the male than in the female camels. Average live and carcass weights were 400 and 211 kg, respectively. Males were significantly heavier (p < 0.05) and had better dressing percentages than females. The carcasses contained averages of 76% meat, 12% fat and 20% bone for both males and females. The difference between the males and females was not significant for the ratio of meat and bones, except for fat, which was higher in the males. Camel meat is regarded as a high-quality food with medicinal value and as a least-cost source of meat. Camel meat is preferred to that of any other livestock by some people, particularly by the Somalis in Jijiga town. It is also more available, especially during the dry season when beef is in short supply. Hence, camel meat is a socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally adaptable alternative source of meat, consumption of which should be encouraged.     

Species of Ticks on Camels and Their Seasonal Population Dynamics in Eastern Ethiopia

A study was conducted to identify the species of ticks found on camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in Eastern Ethiopia. Collection and identification of the ticks were undertaken at 2-month intervals from December 1997 to August 1999. On each occasion, all the visible adult ticks were collected from one side of the body of each of the same 17 camels. The most abundant species of ticks on the camels were Rhipiephalus pulchellus (85.2%), Hyalomma dromedarii (5.9%), Amblyomma gemma (4.0%) and Amblyomma variegatum (1.8%). The average tick load per camel was higher during rainy months than during dry months. The smallest number of ticks per camel was observed during the driest month (December), whereas the highest was recorded in the wettest month (August). Any strategy intended to mitigate problems of tick infestation of camels in this area should take into account the identified tick species and their season of abundance.     

Salmonella Prevalence and Distribution of Serotypes in Apparently Healthy Slaughtered Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Eastern Ethiopia

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and distribution of Salmonella from apparently healthy slaughtered camels in Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 714 samples (faeces, mesenteric, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles) from 119 slaughtered camels were analysed. Salmonellae were detected from 116 (16.2%) of the 714 samples examined. Eighteen (15.1%) faeces, 19 (15.9%) mesenteric lymph nodes, 14 (11.8%) livers and 17 (14.3%) spleen samples (n = 119 for each) were positive for Salmonella. Salmonellae were found in 20.1% of the abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles. A total of sixteen different serotypes were identified of which Salmonella saintpaul (38.8%) and S. braenderup (22.4%) were the most prevalent followed by S. muenchen (8.6%), S. kottbus (6.0%) and S. havana (5.2%). Other serotypes, including S. typhimurium, S. heidelberg and S. enteritidis were also detected from Ethiopian camels.     

双峰驼尘肺研究

用光镜、电镜、电子探针微分析仪及原子发射光谱仪（ＩＣＰ）等,对内蒙古阿拉善右旗和甘肃民勤县的共４８例双峰驼的肺脏、支气管淋巴结及纵隔淋巴结进行了研究。结果表明,４８例的支气管淋巴结和纵隔淋巴结均有程度不等的尘沉着变化,其中１３例肺脏有程度不等的尘肺病变。肺脏的尘肺病变主要为局灶型,尘灶与尘细胞结节呈星散状分布,多位于细支管周围、肺泡隔和肺胸膜结缔组织。病变部常有程度不等的慢性炎症,少数病例发生灶性纤维化。电镜观察发现,淋巴结中,尘细胞的线粒体空泡化,内质网扩张,尘粒积聚体处细胞器完全破坏。元素分析表明,肺和淋巴结中的粉尘多为铝硅酸盐类化合物。作者认为,双峰驼铝硅酸盐尘肺的发生同该地区大气环境浮尘含量过高有关。但骆驼尘肺的病变比马的轻,这主要与骆驼呼吸道和肺脏有较完善的除尘机构有关。     

不同泌乳时间阿拉善双峰驼驼乳中氨基酸的含量变化

研究10峰阿拉善双峰驼第一次分娩后不同泌乳时间驼乳中氨基酸的含量变化。第一次所挤驼乳的蛋白中Thr、Met、Ile、Leu、Phe和Lys的含量分别为6．50、2．10、4．05、7．94、4．38和7．40g／100g，7d时驼乳蛋白中相应的值分别为4．54、2．86、5．50、9．46、4．40和7．89g／100g，之后含量保持相对稳定；而泌乳前1d的时间内必需氨基酸Val的含量较高，之后含量保持相对稳定（6．11—6．25g／100g）。分娩后第一次所挤初乳中Asp、Ser、Gly、Ala和Arg的含量分别为8．39、6．01、3．48、3．76和4．94g／100g，之后随泌乳时间的延长含量降低，到泌乳7d时分别为7．16、4．72、1．49、2．51和4．27g／100g，之后含量保持相对稳定。在研究的泌乳时间内乳样中His（2．50—2．75g／100g）和Phe（4．31-4．73g／100g）的含量没有大的变化。     

阿拉善双峰驼及驼乳、驼肉研究概述

阿拉善双峰驼是世界主要骆驼品种之一,是宝贵的骆驼种质资源。文章综述了阿拉善双峰驼的驯养历史和驼乳、肉产品的研究概况,结合调研和测定数据分析了驼肉中氨基酸的成分及含量,以期为保护阿拉善双峰驼种质资源以及深入开发双峰驼系列产品提供帮助。     

双峰驼肾动脉分布

应用大体解剖学和血管铸型方法,研究了12峰双峰驼肾动脉的分支分布。结果显示,肾脏的肾动脉在进入肾门之前均分成一背干和一腹干,在肾窦内,背干分为一前支,再由前、后支分别发出背部贤脏的各肾段动脉。腹干不分前、后支,而由主干直接发出腹部肾脏的各肾段动脉。不仅各肾段动脉之间未见吻合,背干及其分支与腹干及其分支之间也无吻合。左肾肾段动脉共13条,右肾肾段动脉12条。表明,双峰驼不仅左、右肾的肾动脉与肾段动脉不尽相同,各肾的背部和腹部的动脉供应也存在差异。肾动脉的背干和腹干是相对独立的。     

Preliminary Observations on the Concentrations of Serum Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-stimulating Hormone during Gestation in Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus)

The concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum of the Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) throughout pregnancy were analysed by radioimmunoassay. The samples were withdrawn at intervals of half a month. The serum LH concentrations varied significantly between 2.2±0.9 and 20.3±18.8 ng/ml during the pregnancy, with the highest value on the day of artificial insemination, which indicated that a preovulatory LH peak appeared. Thereafter, the LH concentration tended to fall, reaching a fairly constant low level by the eighth month of pregnancy. The serum FSH concentrations varied between 7.0±0.2 and 28.9±0.4 ng/ml during gestation, with the peak value being reached at 4.5 months, followed by a marked drop to 7.0±0.2 ng/ml at 7.5 months.     

双峰驼胃组织学研究

双峰驼胃分为前胃和皱胃。前胃分２室，第一室有前、后２个腺囊区，第二室只有１个腺囊区。胃壁由粘膜、粘膜下层、肌层和浆膜构成。３个腺囊区的结构类似，均由界限明显的有腺部和无腺部组成，有腺部的腺体类似牛、羊的贲门腺。第一室非腺囊区、贲门、第二室食道沟及３个腺囊区的无腺部结构类似，其粘膜上皮为复层扁平上皮，表层细胞角化。皱胃分贲门腺、胃底腺和幽门腺３个腺体区，与牛、羊相应的腺体类似     

骆驼乳对疾病辅助治疗作用研究进展

骆驼乳是一种具有极高营养价值的乳品,不仅具有良好的保健作用,而且还具有一定的医用价值。文章重点对骆驼乳辅助治疗糖尿病、肝炎以及慢性肾功能衰竭的研究进展作一综述,并对骆驼乳辅助治疗疾病的应用前景进行了展望,为今后骆驼乳辅助治疗疾病提供参考。     

双峰驼脾脏的组织形态学观察

骆驼脾脏的形状和其它动物明显不同，为镰形，外缘呈锯齿状。其被膜很厚，富含平滑肌和弹性纤维，平滑肌层比结缔组织层厚，主要由相互垂直的两层构成。次级平滑肌性小梁发达，相互交织成网状，构成红髓的主要支架。白髓有典型的脾小结和动脉周围淋巴鞘，无边缘窦。边缘区明显，分布在脾小结、动脉周围淋巴鞘周围，可见大量吞噬含铁血黄素、ACP活性很强的巨噬细胞，开口于此的中央动脉分支十分丰富。鞘毛细血管主要分布在边缘区，其次是脾索的滤过区，白髓发达的个体更为多见，常见红细胞从椭球漏出，但胞质中未见含铁血黄素，ACP呈色反应呈阴性。脾索滤过区可见大量的毛细血管和吞噬有含铁血黄素、ACP活性很强的巨噬细胞。脾窦十分发达，窦壁细胞ACP和AKP均呈强阳性，窦腔中也有上述巨噬细胞。淋巴细胞在脾脏中的分布和其它动物及人相似。上述结果证实，骆驼脾脏属于免疫功能很强的防御性脾。     

Costs and Returns of Camels,Cattle and Small Ruminants in Pastoral Herds in Eastern Ethiopia

Two questionnaire surveys (2×44) were conducted among pastoral households, using three grazing management systems. The average number of Tropical Livestock Units (250 kg) was 4.0 per member of the household. Milk production was the most important source of revenue (66% of the total) followed by sale of livestock (17%) and transport (16%). High mortality rates were recorded for all livestock. About 27% of the milk was sold fresh or as butter. Sedentary and transhumant grazing management systems showed similar levels of income, but nomads had a 2.6-fold higher overall net income. The average total gross income from the entire herd amounted to US$ 6382 per household per year. The calculated costs were 29% of the gross returns. The contribution to the total gross revenues of camels, cattle and small ruminants was 58%, 25% and 17%, respectively.     

Potential of Pakistani camel for dairy and other uses

Camels have the potential for milk, meat and draught power and can contribute a handsome share of the production of these commodities. The potential of this wonderful animal has never been realized and it could be harnessed as a prospective milk producing animal. The future of animals that can thrive under harsh environmental conditions, the camel being at the top of the list, is bright. The camel is still a neglected species in Pakistan and has not received the proper attention of researchers and scientists. The population explosion, urbanization and industrialization have expanded agricultural activities to produce more food for the rapid growing human population of the country. Cultivated areas are shrinking, thus reducing the fodder production area for buffalo and cattle. Under these circumstances we have to search for other available sources to enhance milk production. The environmental changes occurring on the earth and the water shortage in the region have also adversely affected the production potential of buffalo, cattle, goats and sheep. Under these changing ecological circumstances, rearing camel is the best option for more milk production and the proper utilization of the vast unused lands of this country. Most studies also have named the camel as an animal of great socioeconomic importance in large tracts of the industrializing world. The camel serves as a cheaper source of power for drawing water from wells, plowing and leveling land, working mini extraction mills (extracting from oil seeds), grinding wheat, corn and other grains and crushing sugarcane and pulling carts for the transportation of goods as well as people.     

Studies on Cephalopina titillator,the Cause of 'Sengale' in Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Semi-arid Areas of Somali State,Ethiopia

The overall prevalence rate of Cephalopina titillator in 778 slaughtered camels was 71.7%, 55% in males and 85% in females. The mean larval counts in infested camels were 26.7±25.9 and 34.6±30.8, for males and females, respectively. There were highly significant differences (p<0.001) in the number of larvae in camels of different ages and sexes and also between the wet and dry seasons. The average time to pupate was 4.9±4.6 minutes, and the pupation period was 21±2.4 days. The major gross lesions observed were congestion of the pharyngeal mucosa with profuse secretions, and haemorrhage in early cases. In some cases, there were ulcer-like lesions and nodules, which contained pus. The dominant microscopic lesions were infiltration of the lamina propria by eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, hyperplasia of the stratified squamous epithelium, necrotic changes in the mixed glands and desquamation of epithelial cells. A survey using questionnaires revealed that all the camel owners called the disease caused by infestation with C. titillator `Sengale' and that 87% of them considered that infestation with these larvae results in reduced milk production and body weight. The major clinical signs of the disease were sneezing and expulsion of larvae (68%), abnormal movement of the head (45%), grooming (44%), nasal discharge (40%), poor appetite (26.7%), difficulty in breathing (18%), and sometimes bleeding from the nostrils (18%) and coughing (27%).     

Coagulase-negative, novobiocin-resistant staphylococci on the skin of animals and man, on meat and in milk.

The occurrence of coagulase-negative, novobiocin-resistant staphylococci, i.e. Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus xylosus, on the skin of animals and man has been studied. On cultures from cats, cows, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits and sheep studied, such organisms were predominant among the coagulase-negative staphylococci. From the skin of the hands of 21 of 38 persons whose professions brought them into contact with animals, e.g. inséminât ors, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians, coagulase-negative, novobiocin-resistant staphylococci were isolated. This finding contrasted with that regarding 50 persons lacking such contacts, of whom only 1 harboured such bacteria. S. saprophyticus was isolated only from those slaughterers presenting with wounds on their hands. Coagulase-negative, novobiocin-resistant staphylococci were also isolated from every second specimen collected from the surface of meat at a slaughterhouse. No difference in the culture results could be demonstrated from specimens collected before and after cutting-up of the carcasses. Of 26 strains of coagulase-negative, DNase-negative staphylococci isolated from milk with pathological CMT, all but 5 were novobiocin-resistant. Fifteen were classified as S. xylosus, 4 as S. sciuri and 1 as S. cohnii. Of another 15 DNase-positive strains, 3 were resistant to novobiocin. Finally, clinical infections with coagulase-negative, novobiocin-resistant staphylococci in man, e.g. urinary tract infections caused by S. saprophyticus, are considered in relation to possible contagious reservoirs and modes of spread.     

光照制度对肉鸭生产性能和脂肪沉积的影响

本试验选用１日龄樱桃谷肉鸭９００只，随机人灵９个组，每组２个重复，每个重复５０只肉仔鸭。试验组采用二因素、每个因素三个水平的完全随机设计，以研究光照制度对肉鸭生产性能和脂肪沉积的影响。结果表明：（１）日增重：光照制度和公母的分解方式对日增重分别有显著影响（Ｐ〈０．０５）和极显著影响（Ｐ〈０．０１），间歇光照组显著优于渐增光照组（Ｐ〈０．０５），连续光照组与间歇光照组，渐增光照组差异不显著（Ｐ〉０．０５），连续光照组与歇光照组、渐增光照组差异不显著（Ｐ〉０．０５）；公鸭组的日增重极显著高于母鸭组和公母混群组（Ｐ〈０．０１），母鸭组与公母混群组差异显著（Ｐ〈０．０５）。（２）死亡率，光照制度及公母的分群方式对肉鸭的死亡率均无显著影响（Ｐ〉０．０５）。（３）饲料转化率；光照制度及公母的分群方式对肉鸭的饲料转化率均无显     

A Seroprevalence Study of Camel Brucellosis in Three Camel-rearing Regions of Ethiopia

A cross-sectional investigation was made into the seroprevalence of brucellosis in camels in three arid and semi-arid camel-rearing regions of Ethiopia (Afar, Somali and Borena) between November 2000 and April 2001. When sera collected from 1442 accessible camels were screened with the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), 82 (5.7%) of them reacted. The results of a complement fixation test (CFT) on those sera that had given a positive reaction to the screening test then indicated a 4.2% prevalence of brucellosis in the tested camels. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of brucellosis (² = 7.91, p<0.05), which was highest in Afar (5.2%) followed by Somali (2.8%) and Borena (1.2%) regions. Camels in Afar had a four times higher risk of brucellosis with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.34 (confidence interval, CI = 1.76–10.72, p<0.001) compared to the risk in Borena. Likewise, Afar had higher risk (OR = 1.76, 1.13–2.74, p<0.05) than that in Somali. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the sexes (p>0.05). Although a higher prevalence (6.3%) was observed in camels over 3 years old in Afar, there was no significant overall age difference (p>0.05).     

双峰驼肾上腺的组织学与细胞超微结构

:用组织学、组织化学和电镜技术对 3 5例双峰驼肾上腺的组织学和细胞超微结构作了研究。结果表明 ,双峰驼肾上腺的主要组织结构特点为 :( 1 )被膜厚而致密 ,其纤维束常伸入球状区并将此区实质分隔成大小不等的细胞团 ;( 2 )束状区中可见由纤维组织和球状区细胞构成的圆团状结构 ,有时也见髓质细胞团分布 ;( 3 )网状区细胞着色均匀 ,因此不像其他动物的那样分为明细胞和暗细胞 ,此区与髓质界限不清 ,其中有较多孤立存在的髓质细胞团 ;( 4)髓质细胞分亮细胞和暗细胞 2类 ,但其分布与人和其他动物的完全不同 ,髓质因此也不能被分为内区和外区 ;更特别的是在髓质中有较多大小不一的皮质小体 ,其中心为一束纤维和血管 ,向外依次由皮质各层细胞环绕。     

维生素C和酵母铬改善蛋鸡夏季生产性能的研究

将产蛋率在７０ ％ ～８０ ％ 间的父母代伊莎种母鸡１２８０ 只及１２８ 只公鸡,分为１６ 个处理组,采用正交设计,试验期５０ 天,观测不同添加剂量的维生素 Ｃ 和酵母铬对夏季高温期蛋鸡生产性能的影响。结果表明;在５ 日平均气温超过３０ ℃的状况下,饲料中添加万分之四维生素 Ｃ 和十万分之一酵母铬,可有效克服高温对蛋鸡生产性能的不良影响。