Plasma biochemistry of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius): effects of anticoagulants and comparison with serum

The effects of various types of anticoagulants on plasma biochemistry were studied in man and various animals but limited informations are existing for camel plasma biochemistry. Eleven clinically healthy one-humped camels were blood sampled in different tubes containing different anticoagulants and plain tubes for harvesting plasma and serum. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, and chloride and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured. Except for the amounts of AST, ALT, CK, total bilirubin, and inorganic phosphorus, other measured parameters were significantly lower in citrated plasma than in serum. Most parameters did not show any difference, but significant increase for CK activity and significant decrease for GGT, cholesterol, creatinine and chloride were seen when heparin was used as anticoagulant. Using EDTA as an anticoagulant caused a significant difference in the amounts of some measured parameters in plasma except glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, bilirubin, and triglyceride in comparison with serum.     

Actinomycosis in a one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

An actinomycotic granuloma caused by Actinomyces viscosus is reported in a dromedary camel. Two hard, cutaneous, large granulamatous nodules were present on both sides of the postero-ventral side of the mandible exhibiting exudation and necrosis. After radical excision of the lesion, the daily treatment with penicillin-streptomycin combination was continued for 4 weeks. About 8 and 24 weeks from the initial treatment, no new nodules were noticed.     

Coronary arterial anatomy of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The detailed coronary arterial anatomy of seven camels was studied and compared with that of horses and cattle. In camels, there is a bilateral coronary supply, the right coronary artery being the larger. The left coronary artery follows the same pattern as that in horses. The ramus collateralis proximalis in camels separates off some distance away from the origin of the ramus interventricularis paraconalis, as in horses, whereas it separates off very quickly in cattle. The ramus collateralis distalis has two branches in camels, whereas the left distal ventriculi ramus does not branch. The ramus angularis is also absent but the left distal atrii ramus is present.Abbreviations LCR left ramus circumflexus - RCR right circumflexus ramus - RIS ramus interventricularis subsinosus - RIVP ramus interventricularis paraconalis     

Prevalence of sarcocysts in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) from southern Ethiopia

A survey of sarcocystis was made in camels from southern Ethiopia during a part of 1998-99. A total of 605 haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue samples from cardiac, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and oesophagus muscles of 121 adult camels and 20 tissue samples from four foetuses were examined for sarcocysts. Sarcocysts were detected in 55 of 121 (45.45%) camels examined. The infestation rate of oesophagus, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and cardiac musculatures were 19.83, 11.57, 12.4, 8.26 and 9.17%, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) variation between males (48.6%) and females (40.82%), nor between the two sites studied (Dollo Addo, 40.00% versus Neghelle Borana 47.25%). None of the 20 tissue samples from the four foetuses examined harboured sarcocysts. The possible impact of sarcocysts on camel production is indicated. This is the first report of the presence of sarcocysts in camels from Ethiopia.     

Ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland of the one-humped camel was examined by light and electron microscopy. It consisted of a single type of epithelial cell which varied from flattened to columnar in shape. Follicular epithelial cells were characterized by the presence of markedly dilated cisternae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, well developed Golgi apparatus, abundant small vesicles (150 nm to 200 nm in diameter) in the apical cytoplasm, and electron-dense colloid droplets measuring from 250 nm to 1600 nm. Follicular epithelial cells frequently showed apocrine secretion into colloidal lumens. Apocrine protrusions with smooth surface were dome-like or balloon-like structures and contained a fine granular matrix. These findings indicate that the morphological features of the follicular epithelial cells of the thyroid gland of the camel are essentially similar to those of mammals except for the presence of apocrine secretion, which is unique to the camel.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of netobimin and albendazole in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Netobimin and albendazole were administered orally to camels (n = 5 + 5) at molecular equivalent dosages, 15.8 and 10.0 mg/kg body wt, respectively. The plasma profiles of the two main metabolites were investigated for 54 h by high performance liquid chromatography. The metabolism and the disposition of both anthelmintics in camels were similar to sheep rather than to cattle. These results indicate that netobimin and albendazole are likely to be excellent anthelmintics for camels.     

Prenatal development of the adrenal gland in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

With 14 figures and 3 tables SUMMARY: Each adrenal gland consisted of cortex and medulla that developed from different embryological origins and presented different cellular organization. One hundred male or female camel embryos or fetuses with crown vertebral rump lengths (CVRL) that ranged from 0.8 to 117 cm were examined. The adrenal cortex, which is derived from intermediate mesoderm, was first observed in the 0.8-cm CVRL camel embryo. The adrenal cortex initially was combined with the gonad as a thickened region of proliferating cells derived from splanchnic intermediate mesoderm. Adrenocortical tissue was first separated from the gonadal tissue in the 2-cm CVRL camel fetus and was observed as a separate dorso-medial mass of cells. At 2.5-cm CVRL, the adrenocortical tissue was surrounded by a capsule of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, except at its proximal pole, where an invagination was located through which chromaffinoblast cells entered the cortex. The chromaffinoblast cells migrated from the neural crest to form the medulla of the developing adrenal gland. In the 3.5-cm CVRL camel fetus, the adrenocortical cells differentiated into two layers: the inner fetal cortex and the outer definitive cortex. As development proceeded, the fetal cortex degenerated and the definitive cortex formed the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata. The zona reticularis did not form until the end of gestation. During prenatal life, the adrenal medulla was much thicker than the cortex.     

Entropion,corneal ulcer and corneal haemorrhages in a one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

An unusual case of entropion, corneal ulcer and corneal haemorrhages in a one-humped camel (Camelus dromedaries) is described. The most prominent clinical findings were entropion of both eyelids, severe blephrospasm, epiphora, conjunctivitis, conjunctival oedema, mucopurulent conjunctival discharges, hyperaemia, lacrimation and photophobia. Corneal ulcers and corneal haemorrhages were also observed.     

Structure and histochemistry of the sublingual salivary glands of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Morphometric, histological and histochemical studies were carried out on the sublingual salivary glands of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius). The glands are of the tubulo-acinar type and consist of many lobules that are composed of two types of cells, mucoserous and seromucous. The mucoserous cells form the main secretory units of the gland but seromucous cells are much more seldom and form associated acini. The former cells secrete and elaborate large quantities of neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins and little sulphomucins while only the apical portion of the latter cells shows weak to moderate activity for neutral and acid mucosubstances. The histoenzymological tests employed here detected a considerable activity of alkaline phosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase, aminopeptidase and non-specific esterases, but weak activities of cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase and no activities of triacylglycerol lipase, beta-glucoronidase and amylase. The functional significance of these findings is discussed.     

Light and electron microscopic studies of the trachea in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Histology of trachea of camel (Camelus dromedarius) was studied using light, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tissue samples taken from the trachea (proximal, middle and distal part) were routinely prepared for histology (LM, EM) and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Van Giesson (VG), Alcian blue, Periodic acid schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome (MT), Verhof, PAS-VG and PAS-MT. The trachea of camel consists of 66-75 incomplete cartilaginous rings of hyaline. The lamina epithelium is composed of pseudostratified-ciliated columnar epithelium with many goblet cells. Submucosal layers were loose connective tissue with many elastic fibres. The mucosal and submucosal layers were 517.2 +/- 61.6 microm (n = 20) thick. Submucosal glands were tubuloalveolar with mucous (acidic and neutral) secretions. Trachealis muscle was attached to the inside sheet of tracheal cartilage. Ultrastructural studies showed that surface epithelium is pseudostratified with mucus-producing goblet cells, ciliated and basal cells, similar to other mammals. The ciliated cells contained many mitochondria, oval nucleus and many big granules. In scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies, viscoelastic layers were observed on the epithelial surface of trachea, and there were highly condensed cilia under this layer.     

Partial cloning and localisation of leptin and its receptor in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Based on the studies and results presented here, leptin and its receptor were expressed by adipose tissue, mammary alveolar epithelial cells, liver hepatocytes, and the lining epithelium of the bile duct of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). Our observations support the biological importance of leptin in the mammary gland as well as the likely local effect of leptin on the peripheral tissues. We suggest that there may be an association between hepatic leptin and the lipogenic activity of the liver in the dromedary camel.     

Prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Najaf-Abad, Iran

The prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in livers and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of 400 camels of different sex and age groups was investigated. The lymph nodes and livers were examined macroscopically. A digestion method was also applied for investigation of liver samples. The MLNs in 84 camels out of 400 (21.0%) and the livers of 18 camels out of 400 (4.5%) were infected by L. serrata nymphs. The infection rate increased with age (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed between the prevalence in males and females (p>0.1). It is concluded that consumption of raw or under-cooked camel liver may result in nasopharyngeal linguatulosis in humans.     

Ultrastructural analysis of the integument of a desert-adapted mammal, the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

In this study, we conducted a light microscopic and ultrastructural analysis of the integument of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). In general, the epidermal strata of the camel integument appeared typical of those found in non-desert mammals. Two cell populations were noted in the stratum basale: one with a flat, non-serrated base and the other with a highly serrated base. Typical fine structure was observed in keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum. The stratum corneum was six to 10 cells thick. Within the different strata, overall cell morphologies and the general distribution and relative abundance of cellular organelles appeared typical. Dermal features included the presence of myoepithelial cells surrounding apocrine tubular glands. Inter- or intracellular canaliculi within the secretory cells of the apocrine glands, reported to be present in certain other non-desert mammals, were not evident in the camel. Together, these data indicate that while the camel is clearly adapted for a desert lifestyle, these adaptations do not include significant specializations at the cellular or subcellular level in the integument.     

The acute effects of dexamethasone on some haematological parameters and serum biochemistry in the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The effects of dexamethasone at different dose regimens on some haematological parameters and serum biochemistry were studied in the camel. Dexamethasone increased the serum concentration of glucose as well as neutrophils and total leukocyte count in the blood. Conversely, the serum concentrations of potassium and phosphorus and lymphocyte count in blood were decreased by dexamethasone treatment. Dexamethasone, however, had no effect on the activities of CPK and gamma-GT, on the serum concentrations of creatinine, BUN, total bilirubin, cholesterol and Na and on PCV, Hb, ESR, MCV and MCHC values.     

Hard ticks on one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in southeast, Iran

The primary objective of this study was to determine the diversity and intensity of ticks found on camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in Kerman, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, a total of 426 tick specimens were collected from 217 infested camels in southeast of Iran during activating seasons of ticks (April 2009 to March 2010). The species collected from camel were Hyalomma dromedarii (84.7%), Hyalomma marginatum (8.7%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (5.4%), and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (1.2%). The highest seasonal activities occurred in summer. The ratio of male ticks was more than female ticks. H. dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 84.7% of the ticks.     

Serological survey of Brucella abortus antibody prevalence in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) from eastern Sudan

A five year investigation of Brucella antibody prevalence in camel sera was conducted in 1502 one-humped camels of both sexes and different ages. The average (mean +/- SD) incidence rate of positive results was 6.95 +/- 1.55%. Among adult one-humped camels, the rate was 4.94 +/- 2.51% in males and 13.76 +/- 4.41% in females. Juvenile one-humped camel calves showed a 0% incidence rate in males and a 1.82 +/- 3.64% in females. Antibodies against Brucella abortus were prevalent in one-humped camel sera throughout the five years of the survey with incidence rates of 6.54, 5.79, 9.32, 5.03 and 8.06%, respectively from 1985 to 1989.