The camel forms an integral part of the culture and agriculture of many countries and has done so for thousands of years. How it integrates varies greatly from; the supremerely sophisticated racing camel in the Arabian Gulf. This study aimed to explore the oxidative stress index (OSI, a ratio between pro-oxidants and antioxidants) in the blood serum of camels (Camelus dromedaries) during the peripartum period. Sera samples were collected from ten late pregnant and ten non-pregnant, non-lactating (as a baseline status, BL) multiparous nomadic Balady camels in their natural habitat in the Egyptian oases concerning sampling weekly throughout the last three weeks prepartum, day of calving and weekly throughout the first three weeks postpartum. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total oxidant capacity (TAC) did not differ between pre and postpartum periods and they were within the values of the basal non pregnant-non lactating (NPNL) state. At parturition the values were higher (P < 0.05) than the peripartum and the BL concentrations. Accordingly, the calculated OSI values showed a roughly stable trend (P > 0.05) and did not achieve a clear tendency or statistical significance among sampling times. A positive correlation of TOS with oxidant stress index (0SI) (P<0.001) and TAC (P < 0.001) was noticed. From a redox standpoint, the stability of OSI indicates that the redox system is adapted to the homeostatic status during the peripartum period in nomadic camels. This may indicate that, OSI is not a challenge of these peripartum camels, where the generated redox oxidative stress (ROS) is attacked by a superior defense potential to neutralize it. This study may aid in a better understanding of the physiological adaptation mechanisms of camels and may be useful for comparative studies with other species.

Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic mycotic infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress (OS) and redox status in blood of sheep clinically infected with the dermatophyte, Trichophyton verrucosum. According to clinical and mycological investigations, 48 juvenile male Balady sheep were selected in their natural habitat and divided into four groups depending on lesions size: mild (MID), moderate (MOD), severe T. verrucosum infection (SEV) and healthy control groups. Compared to the controls, plasma superoxide anion increased (P < 0.05) in both MOD and SEV but total peroxides (TPx) gradually increased (P < 0.05) in MID followed by MOD and SEV. Superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were higher (P < 0.05) in MID and lower (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV than in controls, but SEV showed lower TAC than MOD. Malondialdehyde (MDA, a lipid peroxide marker) increased (P < 0.05) in SEV than in controls but protein carbonyl (PC, protein peroxidation marker) was augmented (P < 0.05) as lesions progressed from mild to severe. oxidative stress index (TPx/TAC ratio) progressively increased (P < 0.05) in MOD and SEV. The correlation of PC was positive with TPx and negative with TAC (P < 0.01). In conclusion, sheep infection with T. verrucosum is characterized by increased TPx and decreased TAC in plasma depending on the lesion area. The redox status is shifted towards the oxidizing state especially in MOD and SEV cases resulting in a condition of OS, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.