A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF AGE AND SEX RELATED VARIATIONS IN HEMATOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN LASSI BREED CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS)

Abstract

Background: Camels play pivotal role in in dessert areas, especially in Pakistan, where the Lassi breed is common. To keep camels healthy and productive, it’s important to understand their blood and body functions. Objective: To evaluate the influence of age and sex on hematological and physiological parameters in Lassi camels breed. Methodology: This study was carried out on sixty humped males and female lassi breed (Camelus dromedarius) aged between 3 months to 72 months in Lasbela district, Balochistan. Animals were divided into 6 groups placing 10 animals in each group: Group A: 3-24 months’ male, Group B: 3-24 month’s female camels, Group C: 25-48 months’ male camels and Group D: 25-48 months’ female camels, Group E: 60-72 months’ male camels, Group F: 60-72 months’ female camels. All the camels were clinically healthy and free from any physical abnormalities. Results: Group-F had the highest recorded rectal temperature (101.96±0.21 0F), whereas group-A had the lowest recorded temperature (100.79±0.18 0F). Group-D had the highest heart rate (26.00±0.89 beats per minute), whereas group-A had the lowest heart rate (25.20±0.86 beats per minute). Group-F had the highest respiratory rate (10.40±0.24 breaths per minute), whereas group-A had the lowest (6.20±0.58 breaths per minute). Group-F received the highest RBC count (10.40±0.24 ×106 /uL), whereas group-A received the lowest (6.80±0.37 ×106 /uL). Group-F showed the highest PCV count (43.60±0.33%), whereas group-A showed the lowest (32.40±1.12%). Group-F had the highest hemoglobin count (15.40±0.40 g/dl), whereas group-A had the lowest number (11.20±0.37 g/dl). Group-F had the highest MCV count (34.00±0.89 fL), whereas group-A had the lowest (26.20±0.37 fL). Group-A had the lowest MCH count (17.00±0.14fL), whereas Group-F had the highest number (32.31±0.0.60 fL). Among the groups, Group-F had the highest MCHC count (51.50±0.47 g/dl) while group-A had the lowest (43.40±0.92 g/dl). Group-F showed the highest neutrophil count (36.10±0.37×103 uL), whereas group-A showed the lowest (27.90±0.23 ×103 uL). Eosinophil counts ranged from a low of 6.14±0.01×103 uL in group-A to a maximum of 8.38±0.27 ×103 uL in Group-F. Group-F had the highest basophil count (1.52±0.09 ×103 uL), whereas group-A exhibited the lowest (1.16±0.06 ×103 uL%). Group-F had the highest lymphocyte count measured at 53.10±0.45 ×103 uL, while group-A had the lowest at 43.40±0.40 ×103 uL. Monocyte counts ranged from a low of 5.32±0.05 ×103 uL in group-A to a high of 7.34±0.07 ×103 uL in Group-F. Conclusions: It was revealed that Lassi male adult camels had numerically higher values for the majority of the physiological and hematological markers than did other age groups. Compared to other age groups, Lassi foal male camels had lower blood parameter values.