Food deprivation and refeeding in the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

Camels thrive in arid and semiarid areas, although food and water frequently are scarce. However, the mechanisms enabling camels to withstand food deprivation are poorly understood. In this study four female camels were totally deprived of food for 4 days. Their body weight decreased by 6%. Food deprivation caused no change in total plasma protein concentration in the camel, indicating that no alterations in plasma volume occurred. When the first meal was withheld water intake was unchanged. Next day the camels showed signs of hydration with a decreased plasma Na+ concentration and an increased excretion of diluted urine. In the afternoon water intake decreased. Urine K+ excretion fell the first day and urine volume and Na+ excretion from the third day. No activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) was observed. Plasma and urine urea concentration increased during food deprivation. Plasma glucose concentration and plasma cortisol and thyroxine levels did not change. Body temperature decreased during food deprivation. After refeeding, total plasma proteins increased temporarily by 12%, and a threefold increase in RAAS was seen, implying that both plasma volume and RAAs changed rapidly. Our results show that fluid balance was only slightly affected in the food-deprived camel. We suggest that strategies for the camel to endure food deprivation include maintenance of plasma volume and glucose concentration and a lowering of the body temperature.

Physiological and behavioral responses to different watering intervals in lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius)

“…At the same time, the camels continued to excrete sodium via the milk, urine, and feces. Food and sodium deprivation disturbs the net transfer of sodium and water between the extracellular volume and the gastrointestinal tract (18,24,41), and total food deprivation lowers plasma sodium concentration (14). Therefore, 16 days of water deprivation probably caused depletion of both the extracellular and intracellular body fluid compartments and strengthened the signals from the body to the hypothalamus and caused thirst and elevated plasma levels of vasopressin by the activity of reninangiotensin system (12,21,29).…”

Morphometric and genetic variation in eight breeds of Ethiopian camels (Camelus dromedarius)

“…These animals are integral, vital socioeconomic cornerstones and support the survival of millions of people in the semidry and arid zones of Asia and Africa ( Epstein, 1971 ). The ability to survive and reproduce under prolonged water shortage, poor quality feed, and high heat load ( Schroter et al, 1989 ; Dahlborn et al, 1992 ) is due to their unique morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations ( Wilson, 1998 ; Ouajd and Kamel, 2009 ).…”

Hormonal Profile, Antioxidant Status and Some Biochemical Parameters during Pregnancy and Periparturient Period in Dromedary She Camel

“…Cortisol plasma level was higher after transportation [9], hypoxemia in new-world camelids (N.WCs) [10] but not affected by food deprivation in the Dromedary camel [11]. So, the knowledge of some serum parameters as total protein, albumin and globulin of dromedary camels are important for assessing the physiological status and health of heavy pregnancy, parturition and postpartum periods [12].Animals are exposed to wide array of physiological and pathological stressors.…”