Mutassim M. Abdelrahman

Antioxidant status and immune responses of growing camels supplemented a long-acting multi-trace minerals rumen bolus

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a long-acting trance mineral rumen bolus supplementation on enzymatic and haematological profiles, antioxidant status and immune responses of growing camels under natural grazing conditions. Fifteen 6-month-old growing male camels were used in a 150-day trial. Animals were individually housed in a shaded pen and randomly assigned to receive 0 (CON), one (TMB1) or two (TMB2) long-acting trance mineral rumen bolus. Blood samples were collected from all camels on days 1, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 to measure enzymatic concentrations in serum, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma and haematological variables in whole blood. Camels were injected intradermally with 0.25 mg phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) on days 90 and 140, and then the cell-mediated immune response to this antigen was measured at 0 and 24 h after injection. Animals were immunised intravenously on days 90 and 105 with 2 ml suspension of sheep red blood cells to measure total antibody titres in serum. Using TMB supplement (1 or 2 boluses) resulted in an increase in the plasma concentration of TAC (p < 0.04) and improvement in immune responses in terms of increased skinfold thickness after 24 h of PHA injection (p < 0.01) and total primary serum antibody titres (p < 0.04). Different levels, sources, and synergistic combinations of trace minerals can be used in further studies to elucidate the most advantageous regarding productive variables, availability and cost for camel industry.

Characteristics of rumen in Naemi lamb: Morphological changes in response to altered feeding regimen

This study sought to chart the ontogenesis of rumen in Naemi lambs through histomorphometeric evaluation subjected to alfalfa hay in total mixed rations (TMR). A total of 40 growing healthy Naemi male lambs (28.85±1.09kg), at weaning (90±3days) was randomly distributed into four groups. One group was fed on TMR (control) only, while others were supplemented with restricted amount of alfalfa hay at the rate of 100g per day (T1), 200g once per two days (T2) and 300g once per three days (T3) in addition to ad libitum TMR. The results indicated that body weight and dry matter intake increased significantly in treated groups. Significantly higher (P<0.05) pH was recorded in all the treated groups after 8h of feeding. Similarly, the brightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness ((b*) of rumen was significantly higher (P<0.05) in treated groups. The papillary length, width and surface area of rumen were significantly (P<0.05) high in alfalfa supplemented groups. Iron (Fe) concentration in rumen tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05) in treated groups. We concluded that a dietary plan based on ad libitum TMR with the addition of alfalfa at the rate of aforementioned protocol not only enhanced feed intake and growth rate of the growing Naemi lambs but also improved the structural characteristics of the rumen.

Selenium and iodine status of two camel breeds (Camelus dromedaries) raise under semi intensive system in Saudi Arabia

Selenium (Se) and iodine (I) are very important trace mineral for animals and human health. Selenium is an essential constituent of the antioxidant enzyme GSH-Px, while I as a thyroid hormone play a crucial role in regulating body metabolism. The aim of this study was to provide preliminary data on the Se and I status of two camel breeds (Majaheem and Maghateer: Camelus dromedaries) raised under the semi intensive system in Saudi Arabia (SA). Ten Majaheem male camels and ten maghateer, age 1.5±0.5 yrs old, were slaughtered and blood and tissues (liver, kidney and meat) were collected. Blood serum samples were analyzed for Se, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), glucose, cholesterol, true protein and albumin. Tissues samples were wet digested and analyzed for Se level using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed a significant breed effect on serum and tissues Se with higher concentration of Majaheem compared with Maghateer breed. The same trend was found for glucose and total protein. Furthermore, serum Se was significantly correlated with liver Se (r2=0.698; P<0.01), meat Se (r2=0.453; P<0.05), T3 (r2=0.527; P<0.05) and T4 (r2=0.476; P<0.05). Thyroxine was significantly correlated to T3 (r2=0.693; P<0.01). In conclusion, a highly significant breed effect was reported for Se metabolism. The highest Se concentration occurs in kidney followed by liver and meat.

Machine milking parameters for an efficient and healthy milking in dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The effect of vacuum level and pulsation rate on machine milking efficiency in lactating dromedary camels were studied in 2 separate experiments. In the first experiment, a total of 14 multiparous camels in early (n=7) and late (n=7) lactation were used to study the effects of vacuum level (45 and 50 kPa) and pulsation rate (52 and 60 pulsations/min) on milk fractionation and flows traits. At the morning milking, volumes of machine milk (MM), machine stripping milk (MSM) and residual milk (RM) were recorded at two different days. For the second experiment, another 10 multiparous dromedary camels at mid stage of lactation were used to evaluate teat condition and udder health during 10 weeks. Milk samples were collected weekly at each milking and analysed for major milk constitutes and udder health. The 50 kPa vacuum level and 60 pulsations/min decreased (P<0.05) the MSM (from 15.2 to 5.9%) and RM (from 44.1 to 29.8%) compared to 45 kPa and 52 pulsation rate. Moreover, milking camels at high vacuum level resulted in significantly more milk in a shorter time with higher milk flows rate at early stage of lactation. No subclinical mastitis was detected in any of udders quarters as indicated by the CMT (<1), SCC (387×103±86 cells/mL) and bacteriology (coliform=0 and total flora=32097±396 ufc/mL) test. There were no differences in teat diameters, texture and color before and after milking. In conclusion, dromedary camels are readily to milk efficiently at 50 kPa and 60 pulsations/min without affecting negatively teat condition or udder health.

Role of insulin and other related hormones in energy metabolism—A review

Abstract This review aims to review hormones mechanisms that affect fuel metabolism and are involved in regulation of blood glucose, dealing insulin and glucagon hormones, and includes other related hormones, which increase the blood glucose level: growth hormone, thyroxine, cortisol and adrenaline. However, this review focuses on insulin and glucagon hormones as widely, and on other related hormones as briefly. Insulin plays an important role in a decrease blood glucose concentration in hyperglycemic response to emergencies or stress by an increasing rate of glucose transport into the muscle cell of animals and facilitating glucose utilization and by maintaining normal blood glucose concentrations. Insulin is a hypoglycemic hormone, promoting the storage of metabolites in peripheral stores. While, glucagon is a hyperglycemic hormone, stimulates gluconeogenesis—at the expense of peripheral stores by enhancing the hepatic removal of certain glucose precursors and stimulates lipolysis; however, it has not influence on peripheral protein stores directly. Insulin, glucagon and other related hormones regulate blood glucose concentrations and act on movement of glucose, amino acids and possibly volatile fatty acids between the liver and peripheral tissues directly. In another way, glucagon may be considered catabolic and insulin anabolic. In conclusion, insulin promotes body gain by stimulating protein and fat synthesis, growth hormone increases protein retention and decrease fat deposition. Growth hormone can alter the sensitivity of tissues to insulin. In contrast, catabolic hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine and glucocorticoids are provided for mobilization of energy reserves to allow the animal to deal with adverse situations.