ABSTRACT
The peculiarities of anatomic and physiologic features of dromedary camels are elucidated in this review and compared with Bactrian, camels, and other species. Both dromedary and Bactrian camel scrotum varies in length from 10-20 cm and the testes are in the perineal region behind the thighs (like dogs) and weigh from 80-90 gm and length varies from 10-14 cm. Compared to ram and buck, camel epididymis has a higher weight (20-46 g) and has a unique structure called the intra-epithelial glands. Both dromedaries and Bactrian camels do not have seminal vesicles. Male camels have specialized secretory glands behind the ears known as poll glands that are bigger in the Bactrian camels compared to dromedary camels and similar glands are not seen in any of the other domestic species. Camels have a special reproductive behavior during the breeding season known as rut and include extrusion of the soft palate, copious froth from the mouth, gurgling sounds, splashing of urine, increased secretion from the poll glands and loss of appetite with considerable reduction in body weight. Such behaviors are not evidenced by any other domestic species including buffalo. Serum testosterone rises substantially in male camels during rut (2-42 ng/mL) compared to the non-rutting season (0.6-8 ng/mL) and the resultant increase in the size of the testes, number, and functionality of Leydig cells and secretion of poll glands. The serum thyroidal hormones also increase significantly during the rut season. It is concluded that male camels have some special anatomic and physiologic features of reproduction not observed in other domestic species.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) addition on cooled and frozen-thawed spermatozoa of Marwari stallion. A total of 48 ejaculates were collected from six adult Marwari stallions (8 ejaculates from each stallion) aged between 4 to 7 years. Immediately after collection semen sample was macroscopically evaluated and filtered into a warm, graduated measuring bottle to get gel free semen. The level of cholesterol (C) and phospholipid (P) in fresh spermatozoa were measured using ELISA. The semen sample was divided in to five equal aliquots (T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4). Primary extender containing different concentrations of CLC was added to each aliquot (0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 mg/ml CLC in T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). All the aliquots were incubated for 15 minutes at 37°C for incorporation of CLC in sperm plasma membrane and then cryopreserved. Level of C and P in spermatozoa was also evaluated at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. The mean C, P and C: P ratio in fresh sperm was 15.36±0.47 μg/100 × 106 sperm cells, 46.21±1.27 μg/100 × 106 sperm cells and 0.33±0.071, respectively. The mean C content and C: P ratio were significantly higher (P<0.05) in group T3 as compared to other groups at both pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. It was concluded that addition of CLC may be helpful in increasing cryopservability of stallion spermatozoa