Effect of endurance load exercise on physio-biochemical and hormonal parameters of single-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) at high altitude

Abstract

The present study was carried out for 7 days on four adult low-lander single-humped camels to know the effectof endurance load exercise on physiological, biochemical, hormonal, and inflammatory cytokines at high altitude.A significant 1.5 to 3 fold increase was observed in physiological responses, viz. the respiration and heart rate onthe 1st and 7th day after the load endurance exercise. Further, serum triglycerides levels were significantly increased on the 7th day after the load endurance exercise, whereas other biochemical parameters were unaffected. However, hormones and inflammatory cytokines responses, viz. cortisol, cardiac-troponin (C-troponin), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly increased on 1st and 7th day after the endurance exercise. These physio-biochemical changes during load endurance exercise indicated that low-lander single-humped camels have low endurance and are under physiological stress in high altitude conditions. Thus, the present study has brought new primary data and information on physiobiochemical parameters of the single-humped camel at high altitude. This data may help identify suitable camels for load-carrying and other logistics at high altitude areas