Thyroid and Sex Hormones in Serum of Pregnant and Non Pregnant Camels (Camelus dromedaries)

THIS STUDY describes difference in thyroid hormones and sex hormones in pregnant and non pregnant camels. Female camels (n=12) of different ages brought from Sudan and belonged to a private camel farm underwent rectal ultrasound scanning for detection of early pregnancy. Male and females were kept together in the same barn during the breeding season. Blood was collected and subjected to hormonal analysis. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, T3, and T4 Insulin were assayed. Results revealed that levels of T3 and T4 were significantly high in pregnant camels. While, low significant T4:T3 was observed in pregnant camels. Progesterone levels significantly increased in pregnant camels and its values ranged from 2.83 to 6.89 ng/ml. Both testosterone and estradiol slightly increased during early pregnancy. In conclusion, progesterone still the most important confirmatory hormone for detecting pregnancy in camels even thought after the advent of ultrasound examination because pregnancy can t be detected by either trans-rectal ultrasound or rectal palpation beyond 90 days of gestation. It appeared that thyroid hormones play important role during camel s gestation.