| Autor: |
El-Shoukary RD; Department of Animal Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, New Valley University, El- Kharga 72511, Egypt., Nasreldin N; Department of Clinical pathology, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, New Valley University, El- Kharga 72511, Egypt., Osman AS; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82749, Egypt., Hashem NM; Animal and Fish Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt., Saadeldin IM; Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt., Swelum AA; Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt. |
| Abstrakt: |
The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of different housing management systems on behavior, blood metabolites and hormonal balance in male dromedaries during the rutting season. Forty-eight adult male dromedaries were stratified in a two by three factorial experiment design, testing effects of social contact (single and group) and movement control (tied, fenced and exercise). During a ten-week experimental period, male dromedaries were filmed weekly for 20 min three times per day to evaluate their behaviors. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum metabolites and hormones. Both animal social contact and movement control significantly affected maintenance, posture and sexual behaviors. Male dromedaries housed in groups expressed higher frequencies of sexual desire-related behaviors (teeth grinding, open legs, tail flapping, dulla "soft palate exteriorization", blathering and urination) than those individually housed. Animal movement control significantly affected sexual behavior; fenced and exercised male dromedaries expressed higher frequencies of sexual desire-related behaviors than tied ones. Male dromedaries housed in groups and allowed to walk around had significantly higher frequencies of ruminating, standing, walking and sexual-related behaviors than those housed individually or tied. Movement control had significant effects on blood serum metabolites and hormone concentrations. Fenced and exercised male dromedaries had higher ( p < 0.05) concentrations of blood serum transaminases, free radicals, glucose, cholesterol and testosterone (2.91 and 2.09 ng/mL, respectively) and lower ( p < 0.05) concentrations of cortisol (44.12 and 53.52 nmol/L, respectively) and triiodothyronine (1.68 and 1.91 ng/mL, respectively) than tied male dromedaries. In conclusion, animal social interaction is of particular importance for maintaining physical, psychological and sexual behaviors. Allowing walking-around exercise for captive animals improves their metabolic status and decreases captive stress effects. Housing systems that guarantee social interaction and physical activity are the most suitable housing management systems for captive male dromedaries during the rutting season. |
