Morphometric, haematological and physio-biochemical characterization of Bactrian (Camelus bactrianus) camel at high altitude

Abstract

Background: Biochemical and haematological parameters have not been determined in Bactrian camels kept at high altitude. Therefore, this study was undertaken to characterise different physiological, haematological, biochemical, and morphometric parameters of Bactrian camels of high altitude. For this, total fourteen high altitude healthy Bactrian camels were selected from Leh-Ladakh, India, a high altitude area, and thereafter divided into three age groups (N = 3 young; N = 6 adult; N = 5 old camels) to characterise for above parameters. All the results were compared with Lowlander Bactrian camels. Results: Morphometric measurement showed significant difference in body height, body length, front-hump height and girth, back-hump height and girth, abdomen girth, neck length, and circumference of the shank in the young age group camels as compared to other age groups of Bactrian camels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all the physiological and haematological parameters were similar in all the age groups of camels (p < 0.05). However, the leukocyte, erythrocyte, Hb, platelets, monocyte, and ESR level were towards the higher side of the normal reference range of Lowlander Bactrian camels. Whereas, the biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in triglycerides and decrease in protein levels in the younger age group as compared to other age groups (p < 0.05). Although, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, iron, magnesium, urea, and creatinine levels were insignificant among the different groups, but observed towards the higher side of the low altitude reference range. Interestingly, the glucose levels in all the groups were observed towards the lower side of the range, which showed metabolic adaptation to high altitude. Conclusion: These findings suggested there is morphometric and biochemical variation in Bactrian camel of high altitude. The results further helped in establishing novel reference ranges for these parameters in Highlander Bactrian camel. Hence, this study will be the basis of future research on a Bactrian camel from high-altitude cold desert and helpful for better camel husbandry and health management in high altitude.

Recent Advances in Camel Immunology

“…Numerous studies investigated the changes in the camel leukogram pattern under different physiologic (age, sex, pregnancy) (63)(64)(65) and pathologic (infection) conditions (66,67). As most camel leukogram studies presented leukocyte composition as relative values (fractions) rather than absolute values, it is difficult to compare the results obtained from different studies.…”

Spectrum of Camel Evolution and its Impact on Ancient Human Migration

“…The study conducted on Indian Bactrian camel, based on microsatellite loci reported quite a good level of heterozygosity in them that could be exploited by implementation of strategies for conservation and by checking inbreeding (Banerjee et al, 2012). Moreover, other studies like morphometeric characterization, analysis on reproductive status, hematological, physio-biochemical analysis of Bactrians in India have also been done but needed to be explored for the proper camel husbandary as well as management of their health and also for the future research projects (Gazi et al, 2013;Lamo et al, 2020;Vyas et al, 2015).…”

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

“…Thus, people are dependent on high endurance native pack animals, viz. pony, yak, and double-humped camel, for load carrying, riding, and other logistics (Lamo et al 2020). Native Zanskar ponies used in these areas can carry only 60 to 70 kg of weight, so they are unsuitable for heavy load carrying and other logistics (Vivek et al 2017).…”

“…Hence, a camel could be a good substitute for ponies for load carrying and patrolling in border areas of the Ladakh region (Roy andTiwari 2010, Makhdoomi et al 2013). However, the native double-humped camel population is small; hence, the exotic low-lander singlehumped camel may be a suitable alternative for doublehumped camel at high altitude (Vyas et al 2015, Lamo et al 2020. Though, the low-lander single-humped camel is yet to be evaluated for load endurance performances at high altitude.…”

“…These harsh climatic conditions lead to oxidative stress, impaired immune system, poor growth, and reproductive health in livestock at high altitude (Monge and Leon-Velarde 1991, Bharti et al 2016, Xin et al 2019. Further, the most critical stress factor at high altitude for lowlander animals is hypobaric-hypoxia, which is considered severe physiological stress which affects their metabolic functions and makes them prone to high altitude-related diseases (Giri et al 2017, Vivek et al 2017, Verma et al 2018, Kumar et al 2019, Lamo et al 2020). In the hypobaric-hypoxia state, oxygen diffusion to the vascular system becomes very difficult, affecting cellular functions, energy metabolism, and later endurance performance of animals in the cascade manner (Horscroft andMurray 2014, Sperlich et al 2017).…”