Impact of vitamin AD3E treatment before application of controlled intra-vaginal drug releaser (CIDR) on clinical and hematologic findings, ovarian hormones and calving rates in she camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Background: The scope of using controlled intra-vaginal drug releasers (CIDR) in the camel industry was small relative to that of cow, sheep, and goat. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of intramuscular injection of AD3E (25ml/400kg; QA11CB, Merial, France) as a premedication protocol before CIDR treatment on ovarian hormones profile and calving rate in dromedary she camels (Camelus dromedarius) through measuring concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) before, during and after CIDR use. Methods: The study was conducted on she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) (n=24) aged between 6-14 years. The animals were assigned into two equal groups; CIDR treated group (CIDRgr) and AD3E plus CIDR treated group (CIDR+gr). Results: Except for haemoglobin, the clinical and haematological findings showed no remarkable change either within each independent group or between CIDRgr and CIDR+gr. Serum P4 and E2 concentrations differed significantly between the first 7 days (During CIDR use) and days from 9 to 15 (After CIDR use) in dromedary camels. Serum concentrations of P4 and E2 showed significant elevation at CIDR+gr at day 0 comparing with CIDRgr. This significant increase in serum of P4 and E2 at CIDR+gr comparing to those of CIDRgr was also observed either during CIDR use (Days 3, 5 and 7) or after CIDR use (Days 9, 11, 13 and 15). During CIDR use, serum concentrations of P4 were negatively correlated with those of E2 either in CIDRgr or in CIDR+gr, however, they were positively correlated after CIDR removal either in CIDRgr or in CIDR+gr. Regarding to the calving rate, it was highest in CIDR+gr whereas CIDRgr showed the lowest one. Conclusions: It was concluded that the AD3E pretreatment protocol of she-camels before insertion of CIDR could be used successfully during the breeding season to improve fertility in she-camels whereas the serum ovarian hormones profile and calving rates were clearly changed due to pretreatment of she-camels with AD3E before CIDR insertion.