Author/Authors :
ainani, h. university of strasbourg - institute of cellular and integrative neurosciences, strasbourg, france , ainani, h. hassan ii agronomy and veterinary institute, rabat instituts - department of biological and pharmaceutical veterinary sciences, comparative anatomy unit, Rabat, Morocco , achaâban, m.r. hassan ii agronomy and veterinary institute, rabat instituts - department of biological and pharmaceutical veterinary sciences, comparative anatomy unit, Rabat, Morocco , tibary, a. washington state university - college of veterinary medicine and centre for reproductive biology - comparative theriogenology, department of veterinary clinical science, USA , pévet, p. university of strasbourg - institute of cellular and integrative neurosciences, Strasbourg, France , simonneaux, v. university of strasbourg - institute of cellular and integrative neurosciences, Strasbourg, France , el allali, k. hassan ii agronomy and veterinary institute, rabat instituts - department of biological and pharmaceutical veterinary sciences, comparative anatomy unit, Rabat, Morocco
Abstract :
The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), a well-adapted desert mammal, is a seasonal breeder whose sexual activity occurs during the winter and spring. These periods coincide with food resources and climate conditions are favorable for offspring’s survival. The mechanisms involved in the control of this seasonality however still need to be elucidated. The aim of this review is to describe the reproductive patterns of the dromedary camel. This includes the geographical seasonal breeding distribution of this species taking into account the role of various physical environmental parameters notably temperature, day length and the amount of rainfall. Further, various aspects of seasonal breeding in male and female camels are discussed as well as the neuroendocrine factors that may control seasonal such phenomena. Finally, the putative roles of two hypothalamic neuropeptides, kisspeptin and (Arg) (Phe) related peptide, are proposed for the control of camel’s seasonal reproduction.
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Dromedary camel , seasonal breeding , rainfall , photoperiod , ambient temperature , food availability , Kisspeptin , RFRP
