Hormonal Profiles in the Serum and Follicular Fluid of Female Camel (Camelus dromedarius) During the Peak and the Low Breeding Season

Serum and follicular fluid concentrations of some hormones during the low (May to October) and the peak (November to April) breeding seasons in female camels with small and large Graafian follicles were investigated. Ovaries of 25 adult female camels slaughtered at a local abattoir were collected. Jugular blood samples and follicular fluid aspirated from small (5-9 mm) and large (10-20 mm) follicles were analyzed for progesterone, estradiol, T3, T4 and cortisol concentrations. Serum progesterone and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher (P 0.05) during the low than the peak breeding season. However, reverse was true for the serum estradiol, T3 and T4 levels. Animals with small follicles had higher (P 0.05) serum progesterone and cortisol concentrations than those with large follicles, while reverse was true for serum T3 levels. Follicular size had non significant effect on serum estradiol and T4 levels. In the follicular fluid, estradiol concentration was higher (P 0.05) during the low breeding season. However, season had non significant effect on follicular fluid levels of other hormones. Size of the follicle affected only progesterone level in the follicular fluid, which was higher (P 0.05) in large follicles. In conclusion, serum contents of estradiol, T3 and T4 were higher during the peak than the low breeding season; while reverse was true for serum progesterone and cortisol contents. For the follicle fluid, contents of estradiol were higher during the low than the peak breeding season. Follicle size influenced its progesterone contents only, which were higher in large than in small follicles.