Abstract
Transportation is often considered as one of the main causes of stress raising considerable interest, both in economic and animal welfare terms. The objective of the current study was to determine physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical factors during summer conditions. Ten Iranian dromedary camels, five males and five females, were selected for the study. The study was conducted on three consecutive days in August 2008. At first day, blood samples were collected at 08:30 a.m., 09:30 a.m. and 01:30 p.m. to determine any possible variation in individual measurements due to diurnal changes or as a result of food and water deprivation for 5 h. Travel commenced on day 2 at 08:30 a.m. for 5 h, with a total of about 300 km traveled. At second day, blood samples were collected immediately before loading, at 08:30 a.m., after 1 h transport, at 09:30 a.m., and on the end of transportation, after unloading, at 01:30 p.m. Final blood sample was taken 24 h after arrival. In the current study no significant difference was observed in any parameter between sexes at each sampling time. The data related to day before transport had no significant differences between different times except for values obtained for cortisol that at 01:30 p.m. showed a significant decrease in comparison with data at 08:30 and 09:30. Circulating cortisol, T4, T3 and fT4 levels was significantly higher after transportation compared with pre-transport values and returned to basal values within 24 h after transport. Transportation had effects on metabolism as demonstrated by increase in serum concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and urea nitrogen. Serum concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and urea nitrogen returned to basal values in final bleeding at 24 h after transport termination. In the current study transportation had no significant effects on serum concentrations of fT3, triglycerides, cholesterol, β-hydroxybutyrate, albumin and total protein. Taken together, the results obtained for short road transportation of dromedary camels showed a strong physiological response and provide some biomarkers for stress detection in this species. Further research to validate these potential biomarkers is necessary.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Kindi, A., Kadim, I.T., Mahmoud, I.Y., Mahgoub, O., Plude, J., Al-Maani, M. and Bakheit, C.S., 2005. Physiological response of two age groups of Omani male goats to short road transportation in relation to circulating levels of gonadotropins, cortisol, thyroid hormones, sex steroids and plasma chemistry. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 4, 737–741
Bengoumi, M., Moutaouakil, F., De La Farge, F. and Faye, B., 1999. Thyroidal status of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius): effect of some physiological factors. Journal of Camel Practice and Research 6, 41–43
Broom, D.M., 2003. Transport stress in cattle and sheep with details of physiological, ethological and other indicators. Deutsche Tierarztliche Wochenschrift 110, 83–89
Broom, D.M. and Johnson, K.G., 1993. Stress and Animal Welfare. Chapman and Hall, London, UK
Burtis, C.A. and Ashwood, E.R. 1994. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry.2nd edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 735–888, 1354–1375
Chandrasena, L.G., Emmanuel, B., Hamar, D.W. and Howard, B.R., 1979. A comparative study of ketone body metabolism between the camel (Camelus dromedarius) and the sheep (Ovis aries). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 64B, 109-112
Chirase, N.K., Greene, W., Purdy, C.W., Loan, R.W., Auvermann, B.W., Parke, D.B., Walborg, E.F., Stevenson, D.E., Xu, Y. and Klaunig, J.E., 2004. Effect of transport stress on respiratory disease, serum antioxidant status, and serum concentrations of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in beef cattle. American Journal of Veterinary Research 65, 860–864
Cook, C.J., Mellor, D.J., Harris, P.J., Ingram, J.R. and Matthews, L.R., 2000. Hands-on and hands-off measurement of stress In: Moberg, G.P., Mench, J.A., editors. The biology of animal stress: basic principles and implications for animal welfare. CAB International, p.123
Elasser, T.H., Klasing, K.C., Filipov, N. and Thompson, F., 2000. The metabolic consequences of stress: targets for stress and priorities of nutrient use In: Moberg, G.P., Mench, J.A., Editors. The biology of animal stress: basic principles and implications for animal welfare. CAB International, p.77
Elias, E. and Weil, S., 1989. Serum cortisol levels in camels (Camelus dromedarius) during the reproductive cycle. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 94A, 787–790
Fazio, E., Alberghina, D., Medica, P., Cavalieri, S. and Ferlazzo, A., 2001. Total and free iodothyronine levels before and after short and long distance road transport in Limousine calves. Biotechnology, Agronomy Society and Environment 5, 76–77
Fazio, E. and Ferlazzo, A., 2003. Evaluation of stress during transport. Veterinary Research Communications 27, 519–524
Fazio, E., Medica, P., Alberghina, D., Cavaleri, S. and Ferlazo, A., 2005. Effect of long distance road transportation on thyroid and adrenal function and haematocrit values in Limousine cattle. Veterinary Research Communications 29,713–719
Fazio, E., Medica, P., Aronica, V., Grasso, L. and Ferlazzo, A., 2008. Circulating β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 50, 6
Finco, D.R., 1997. Kidney function.In: Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, 5th edn., Kaneko, J.J., Academic Press, NewYork, pp 441–484
Grandin, T., 1997. Assessment of stress during handling and transport. Journal of Animal Science 75, 249–257
Greer, M.A. and Saloman, D.H., 1974. Handbook of Physiology.1st edn. American Society of Physiology, Washington, USA.
Hall, S.J.G., Broom, D.M. and Kiddy, G.N.S., 1998. Effect of transportation on plasma cortisol and packed cell volume in different genotypes of sheep. Small Ruminant Research 29, 233–237
Hurtung, J., 2003. Effects of transport on health of farm animals. Veterinary Research Communications 27, 525–527
Hyyppa, S., 2005. Endocrinal responses in exercising horses. Livestock Production Science 92, 113– 121
Kadim, I.T., Al-Hosni Y., Mahgoub, O., Al-Marzooqi, W., Khalaf, S.K., Al-Maqbaly, R.S., Al-Sinawi S.S.H. and Al-Amri I.S., 2009. Effect of low voltage electrical stimulation on biochemical and quality characteristics of Longissimus thoracis muscle from one-humped Camel (Camelus dromedaries). Meat Science 82, 77–85
Kaneko, J.J., Harvey, J.W. and Bruss, M.L., 1997. Appendixes In: Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, 5th edn., Kaneko, J.J., Harvey, J.W., Bruss, M.L., Academic Press, San Diego, CA, p 892
Kannan, G., Terrill, T.H., Kouakou, B. and Galipalli, S., 2007. Blood metabolite changes and live weight loss following brown seaweed extract supplementation in goats subjected to stress. Small Ruminant Research 73, 228–234
Kataria, N. and Kataria, A.K., 2004. Use of blood analytes in assessment of stress due to drought in camel. Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 11,129–133
Kataria, N., Kataria, A.K., Agarwal, V.K., Garg, S.L., Sahni, M.S. and Singh, R., 2000. Effect of water restriction on serum aldosterone and cortisol in dromedary camel during winter and summer. Journal of Camel Practice and Research 7, 1–7
Machenzie, A.M., Drennan, M., Rowan, T.G., Dixon, J.B. and Carter, S.D., 1997. Effect of transportation and weaning on humoral immune responses of calves. Research in Veterinary Science 63,227–230
Materri, R.L., Carrol, J.A. and Dyer, C.J., 2000. Neuroendocrine response to stress In: Moberg, GP, Mench, JA, editors.The biology of animal stress: basic principles and implications for animal welfare. CAB International, pp 43–76
McGowan, M.W., Artiss, J.D. and Strandbergh, D.R., 1983. A peroxidase-coupled method for the colorimetric determination of serum triglycerides. Clinical Chemistry 29, 538–542
Mehrotra, V. and Gupta, M.L., 1989. Seasonal variation in certain blood constituents in camel. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 59, 1559–1561
Minka, N.S. and Ayo, J.O., 2007. Effects of loading behaviour and road transport stress on traumatic injuries in cattle transported by road during the hot-dry season. Livestock Science 107, 91–95
Mohamed, H.E., 2006. Factors affecting cortisol status in camels (Camelus dromedarius). Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 5, 307–309
Mohammadi, G.R., Nazifi, S., Rezakhani, A. and Esmailnejad, Z., 2007. Effect of transportation stress on blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid components in calves Comparative Clinical Pathology 16, 85–95
Murray, R.K., Granner, D.K., Mayes, P.A. and Rodwell, V.W., 1996. Gluconeogenesis and control of blood glucose: hormones of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Harpers Biochemistry.12th edn. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp.194–204; 547–565
Nazifi, S., Gheisari, H. R. and Poorabbas, H., 1999. The influences of thermal stress on serum biochemical parameters of dromedary camels and their correlation with thyroid activity, Comparative Haematology International 9, 49–53
Nazifi, S., Mansourian, M., Nikahval, B. and Razavi, S.M., 2009. The relationship between serum level of thyroid hormones, trace elements and antioxidant enzymes in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius). Tropical Animal Health and Production 41:129–134
Odore, R., D’Angelo, A., Badino, P., Bellino, C., Pagliasso, S. and Re, G., 2004. Road transportation affects blood hormone levels and lymphocyte glucocorticoid and beta-adrenergic receptor concentrations in calves. The Veterinary Journal 168, 297–303
Rajion, M.A.,Mohamed, S.I.,Zulkifli, I. and Goh, Y.M., 2001. The effects of road transportation on some physiological stress measures in goats. Asian Australasian of Animal Sciences 14, 1250–1252
Rijnberk, A. and Mol, J.A., 1997. Adrenocortical function In: Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, 5th edn. Kaneko, J.J., Harvey, J.W., Bruss, M.L. (eds). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, pp 553–570.
Ruiz-de-la-Torre, J.L., Velarde, A., Diestre, A., Gispert, M., Hall, S.J.,Broom, D.M. and Manteca, X., 2001. Effect of vehicle movements during transport on the stress response and meat quality of sheep. The Veterinary Record 148, 227–229
Schaefer, A.L., Jones, S.D.M., Tont, A.K.W., Young, B.A., Murray, N.L. and Lepage, P. 1992. Effects of post transport electrolyte supplementation on tissue electrolytes, hematology, urine osmolality and weight loss in beef bulls. Livestock Production Science 30, 333–345
Siegel, P.B. and Gross, W.B., 2000. General principles of stress and wel-being In: Grandin, T., editor. Livestock handling and transport. 2nd edn .CAB International p 29
Swanson, J.C. and Morrow-Tesch, J. 2001. Cattle transport: Historical, research, and future perspectives. Journal of Animal Science 79, E102-E109
Tarrant, V. and Grandin, T., 2000. Cattle transport In: Livestock handling and transport. 2nd edn. CAB International p 152
Wensvoort, J., Kyle, D.J., Orskov, E.R. and Bourke, D.A., 2004. Biochemical adaptation of camelids during fasting. Journal of Camel Science 1, 71–75
Wernery, U. and Kaaden, O.R., 2002. Infectious Diseases in Camelides, 2nd edn., Blackwell Wissenschafts-Verlag, Berlin, p 97
Yagil, R., Etzion, Z. and Gannani, J., 1978. Camel thyroid metabolism: effect of season and dehydration. Journal of Applied Physiology 45, 540–544.
Zia-ur-Rahman, A N., Ahmad, N., Bukhari, SA, Akhtar, N. and Haq, I.U., 2007. Serum hormonal, electrolytes and trace element profiles in the rutting and non-rutting one-humped male camel (Camelus dromedarius). Animal Reproduction Science 101, 172–178
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saeb, M., Baghshani, H., Nazifi, S. et al. Physiological response of dromedary camels to road transportation in relation to circulating levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones and some serum biochemical parameters. Trop Anim Health Prod 42, 55–63 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9385-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9385-9