A. Al-Hawas

Ovarian hydrobursitis in female camels (Camelus dromedarius): Clinical findings, histopathology and fertility after unilateral surgical ablation

This study was undertaken to verify the clinical signs, incidence, location, etiology and pathology of ovarian hydrobursitis in infertile female camels and estimate the fertility after unilateral surgical ablation. Genital organs (n = 124) were examined in camels slaughtered at Makkah abattoir during Hajj of 2009. Infertile female camels (n = 142) presented for management to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, were clinically examined and ultrasound-scanned for the diagnosis of genital abnormalities. Twenty eight camels diagnosed with ovarian hydrobursitis were further investigated for the effect of unilateral surgical ablation on breeding outcomes. Surgical ablation was carried on 14 cases (treated group), the remaining 14 cases were followed as controls (control group). Both groups were observed for breeding results: 90 days non-return rate (90d NRR) and calving rate (CR). Removed bursae were sent to the laboratory for histopathological investigation. Results showed that the incidence of ovarian hydrobursitis was 6.5% in slaughtered camels and 33.8% in infertile females. Camels with hydrobursitis were concurrently affected with pyometra, uterine and vaginal adhesions or purulent endometritis. Histopathology reported degeneration and hyperplasia of the lining epithelium, mononuclear cells infiltration, focal aggregation of inflammatory cells, cystic dilatation of multi-acinal structures, tiny hemorrhages, and presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages. The 90d NRR and CR of the surgically-treated cases were 64.3% and 50%, respectively. None of the untreated cases conceived. These results confirmed that ovarian hydrobursitis causes infertility in dromedary female camels and is associated with inflammatory genital conditions and surgical ablation in unilaterally affected animals presents a potential treatment.

Ovarian hydrobursitis in female camels (Camelus dromedarius): The role of Chlamydophila abortus and a trial for medical treatment

The occurrence of Chlamydophila abortus in female camels affected with ovarian hydrobursitis and a trial for medical treatment were studied. A total of 111 cases were included in two experiments. In Experiment 1, sera from 51 affected cases were tested for C. abortus antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In Experiment 2, 60 female camels affected with bilateral ovarian hydrobursitis were divided into treated and control groups (n = 30 each). Based on the bursal diameter, females of both groups were subdivided into those having small (< 5 cm), medium (5-7 cm) or large (> 7 cm) bursae. Treated group received 20 mg/kg body weight oxytetracycline intramuscular, 4% lotagen intrauterine, and 500 μg cloprostenol intramuscular. Controls did not receive any treatment. All females were observed for 90 days non-return rate (NRR) and calving rate (CR). Antibodies against C. abortus were observed in 44/51 (86.3%) of the affected females. The 90 days NRR of the treated and control groups were 13/30 (43.3%) and 0/30 (0.0%), respectively, (P = 0.001), while the CR were 10/30 (33.3%) and 0/30 (0.0%), respectively, (P = 0.01). Based on bursal size, the 90 days NRR were 11/15 (73.3%), 2/7 (28.6%) and 0/8 (0.0%) for treated females having small, medium and large bursa, while the CR were 9/15 (60%), 1/7 (14.3%), and 0/8 (0.0%), respectively, (P = 0.01). In conclusion, it seems that C. abortus may be responsible for the spreading of the ovarian hydrobursitis syndrome in dromedaries. Small sized bursa could be medically treated.

Impotentia generandi in male dromedary camels: Clinical findings, semen characteristics, and testicular histopathology

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical findings, semen characteristics, and testicular histopathology in male dromedary camels affected with impotentia generandi (IG). According to the history, 82.6% (38/46) of the cases were classified as primary-IG (P-IG; never been able to impregnate a female), whereas 17.4% (8/46) were classified as secondary-IG (S-IG; acquired infertility). Only one scrotal testis was observed in four cases, and no scrotal testis was observed in one case. Overall, testicular length, width, and depth were 6.46 ± 0.2, 3.41 ± 0.1, and 2.8 ± 0.08 cm, respectively. Within the P-IG males, 42.2% of the testes were classified as small, 47.9% as normal, and 9.9% as large. Within the S-IG males, 0.0% of the testes were classified as small, 80% as normal, and 20% as large. Ejaculate volume, total sperm number in the ejaculate, and sperm motility, viability, and abnormal morphology were 4.4 ± 0.3 mL, 25.7 ± 1.0 × 10(6), 18.7 ± 3.1%, 25.2 ± 3.4%, and 46.6 ± 3.7%, respectively. Azoospermia was observed in 30.4% of the cases, asthenospermia was observed in the 25% of the cases, and necrospermia was observed in 10% of the cases. The proportion of abnormal sperm was between 20% and 50%, and between 60% and 94% in 56.2% and 34.4% of the cases, respectively. Hypospermatogenesis, arrested spermatogenesis, Sertoli cell-only syndrome, and testicular degeneration were the main histopathological findings. In conclusion, IG in male dromedary camels appears to be related mainly to testicular dysfunction, which alters semen quality and reduces fertility.

A retrospective study on clinical findings of 7300 cases (2007–2014) of barren female dromedaries

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical findings in barren female dromedaries examined for different complaints. Female camels were examined for repeat breeding with regular heat interval (RB-R, n = 5444), refused mating (RM, n = 1299), repeat breeding with long heat interval (RB-L, n = 489), difficulties or bleeding during mating (DM, n = 53), and for manifestation of male-like behavior (MB, n = 15). The genital tracts of all females were evaluated using transrectal palpation, ultrasonography, and exploration of the vagina. Cervical swabs were obtained for bacteriologic examination. Clinical endometritis, ovarian hydrobursitis, and vaginal adhesions were the main clinical findings in the female camels examined for RB-R, RM, and RB-L, respectively. Parity affected the frequency of occurrence of these findings. The incidences of clinical endometritis, ovarian hydrobursitis, and vaginal adhesions in nullipara and multipara were 28% versus 32.3% (P = 0.004), 37.1% versus 23.7% (P = 0.001), and 5.7% versus 18.3% (P = 0.001), respectively. Vaginal adhesions, persistent hymen, pelvic abscess, and vulvar atresia were the clinical findings in the female camels presented due to bleeding at mating or with a history of an incomplete intromission of the penis. The male-like behavior was associated with an enlargement of the clitoris and narrowing of the vulva and vagina. Trueperella pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, and β-hemolytic Streptococcus were isolated from females presented for repeat breeding syndrome. In conclusion, clinical endometritis, ovarian hydrobursitis, and vaginal adhesions were the main clinical findings in barren female dromedaries. Parity affected the frequency of the clinical findings.

Evaluating the effectiveness of different treatments of uterine infections in female camels (Camelus dromedarius)

A total of 480 female camels with a history of conception failure were examined through transrectal palpation, ultrasonography, and vaginal exploration. Animals were categorized according to parity (nulliparous n=200 vs. multiparous n=280), and type of uterine infection (endometritis n=360 vs. metritis n=120). They were randomly assigned to receive one of three intrauterine treatments: (i) 100mL acriflavin 0.1% (group 1, n=170), (ii) 100mL lotagen 4% (group 2, n=200), or (iii) 300mg/100mL gentamicin sulphate (group 3, n=110). All groups received 500microg cloprostenol IM at infusion. Animals were exposed for breeding 7 d later and received 5000 IU hCG im at mating. The criteria for efficacy of treatment were 90 days non-return rate (90 d NRR) and calving rate (CR). The results showed that the 90 d NRR and CR were significantly influenced by parity, type of uterine infection, regime of treatment, and their interactions, P<0.05. Treatment regimes were approximately equally efficient in treating females with endometritis (90 d NRR were 64%, 53.1% and 53.3% and CR were 58.9%, 49.3%, and 42.5% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, P>0.05). In contrast, regimes differed in treating those with metritis (90 d NRR were 55.6%, 75%, and 28.6% and CR were 31.6%, 54.8%, and 12.5% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, P<0.05). In conclusion, a regime consisted of intrauterine lotagen infusion and administration of PGF(2)alpha at infusion and hCG at mating was more efficient for treating female camels with metritis.

Influence of stimulation by electroejaculation on myocardial function, acid–base and electrolyte status, and hematobiochemical profiles in male dromedary camels

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of electroejaculation (EEJ) on myocardial function, acid-base balance, and hematobiochemical profiles in male dromedary camels. Twenty sexually mature, apparently healthy male camels were assigned to EEJ. Parallel, eight naturally mated male camels were enrolled as a control group. Three blood samples were collected from each camel: just before (T0), directly after (T1), and 24 hours after (T2) EEJ or natural mating. The serum concentrations of the cardiac biomarker troponin I (cTnI), blood gas parameters, and hematobiochemical profiles were determined. Nineteen camels were ejaculated by the end of the second circuit and one by the end of the first circuit. In both groups, the mean heart and respiratory rates had increased significantly immediately after the procedure, but returned to normal values 24 hours after the procedure. The mean serum concentration of cTnI had increased significantly in all camels after EEJ, but not in controls. However, at 24 hours post-EEJ, the serum concentration of cTnI did not differ significantly compared with baseline values. The blood pH and base excess had decreased, and the PCO2 and lactic acid had increased after EEJ. The EEJ provoked decreases in hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume. In the control group, the base excess, HCO3(-), TCO2, anion gap, and lactic acid increased slightly after mating but did not reach a significant level compared with premating values. It is concluded that EEJ in camels results in a reversible myocardial injury, changes in the acid-base status, and increase the lactic acid concentration.

Unilateral seminoma in a dromedary camel.

A 10-year-old, clinically healthy, male dromedary camel had presented a history of progressive unilateral testicular enlargement over the past 5 years. The animal had mated with 32 females during that period; all had conceived. The sex ratio of his offspring was one male to 31 females. Ultrasound examination of the right testicle revealed a diffusely heterogeneous parenchyma with no identifiable normal testicular tissue. The enlarged testicle was surgically removed. Macroscopically, the testicle had a glistening pink surface and contained multiple soft, bulging nodules. Histopathologically, a well-differentiated, diffuse seminoma was diagnosed. In conclusion, this study describes the fertility, sex ratio, clinical findings and ultrasonographic imaging in a male dromedary camel affected with unilateral testicular seminoma.

Bilateral renal abscessation and chronic active pyelonephritis in a male camel (Camelus dromedarius) caused by Escherichia coli

This report summarizes the clinical, hematobiochemical, ultrasonographic, histopathological and bacteriological findings in a male Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) with bilateral renal abscessation and chronic active pyelonephritis. Owner complaint included a decreased appetite and loss of body condition with occasionally voiding red urine. In the right kidney, ultrasonographic changes included a hypoechoic fluid surrounding the renal parenchyma. Within the left kidney, a large volume of hypoechoic contents were imaged. Bacteriological examination yielded only Escherichia coli. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first reported case of bilateral renal abscessation and chronic active pyelonephritis in dromedary camels. In conclusion, renal ultrasonography provides a precise and non-invasive technique for diagnosis and subsequent clinical decision making of renal abscessation and chronic pyelonephritis camels.

Omaso-abomasal adenocarcinoma in a female Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius)

ABSTRACT This report describes the case of a 15-year-old female Arabian camel with omaso-abomasal adenocarcinoma showing prolonged anorexia with colic bouts leading to cachexia during the last 6 months. Hematological and biochemical findings were indicative of a moderate to severe haemorrhagic anaemia. Ultrasonographic examination revealed hyperechoic severely thickened (68 mm) and corrugated omaso-abomasal walls with heterogonous contents. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large barrel-shaped mass with dense contents including parts of the compound stomach adhered to the parietal peritoneum. A definitive diagnosis was based on histopathological examination confirming the mass as an omaso-abomasal adenocarcinoma. Omaso-abomasal adenocarcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal tumours in camel.

Granulosa cell tumour in a female dromedary camel

A 14-year-old female dromedary camel was examined for failure of conception. Ultrasonography revealed a mass of mixed echogenicity involving the left ovary, which was later surgically removed. The cut surface was multilocular. Upon microscopic examination, a mature granulosa cell tumour (GCT) was found. Laboratory examination revealed neutrophilia, increased albumin and blood urea nitrogen and decreased globulin, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone were within the normal values. This appears to be the first description of GCT in dromedary camels.