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Animal Reproduction Science 60–61 2000 583–592 www.elsevier.comrlocateranireprosci
Reproduction in Old World camels
M.M. Al Eknah
Camel Research Centre, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal UniÕersity, P.O. Box 1757, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
The article reviews aspects of the basic reproductive biology of the camel, such as puberty, breeding season, ovarian dynamics, synchronisation of ovarian activity and artificial insemination,
and superovulation and embryo transfer. Pregnancy and parturition are also discussed. q 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Camel; Reproduction
1. Introduction
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The genus Camelus has two species — the dromedary or Arabian camel one-humped Ž
. and the Bactrian camel two-humped . They are artiodactyl mammals in the pad-footed
suborder Tylopoda. It appears probable that dromedaries and Bactrian camels were domesticated separately. The domestication of the dromedary occurred in the Arabian
peninsula, while Bactrian camels were first domesticated in Mongolia. From the physiological point of view, dromedaries exhibit certain characteristics that enable them
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to survive in arid regions Epstein, 1971 . Full exploitation of the camel’s production of milk and meat will only be possible
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when the reproductive performance is improved Yagil, 1985 .
2. Puberty
Camels mature late. The female camel usually reaches puberty at 3–4 years of age Ž
. Leese, 1927; Evans and Powys, 1979; Shwartz, 1992; Musa et al., 1993 . However,
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females are not bred until they are 5–6 years old Matharu, 1966 . Male camels reach puberty at about 3 years, but full reproductive activity is not developed until they are
Corresponding author. 0378-4320r00r - see front matter q 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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PII: S 0 3 7 8 - 4 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 - 2
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6–7 years old Novoa, 1970; Arthur et al., 1985 . Inadequate body weight caused by Ž
lack of sufficient food appears to be the cause of delayed puberty in the camel Chatty, .
1972 . Nutrition seems to play a vital role in the various physiological events for the attainment of sexual maturity and in the reproductive process. The faster an animal
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grows, the earlier it will reach sexual maturity Maynard et al., 1979 . In cattle, puberty Ž
. occurs at a particular liveweight bodyweight or body size rather than a fixed age.
Meanwhile, in sheep, it is complicated by their seasonal breeding pattern in Europe Ž
. McDonald et al., 1988 . Undernutriton delays puberty in both male and female virgin
camels and, if severe, can cause retrogressive changes in the sexual organs after their Ž
. full development Maynard et al., 1979 .
3. Breeding season
