Special Features in the Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology, and Behavior of Male Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

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.

Anatomical Landmark Guided versus Ultrasound-Guided Technique for Subclavian Vein Cannulation in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Central Venous Access (CVA) is acommon requirement in the critically ill patient for avariety of indications including Central VenousPressure (CVP) monitoring, haemodialysis, placementof pulmonary artery catheters, cardiac pacing and foradministration of drugs especially vasoactive,chemotherapy agents and parenteral nutrition.Traditionally, Central Venous Catheter (CVC)placement is performed using Landmark (LM)technique and is associated with complications likearterial puncture, pneumothorax, hemothorax, airembolism, catheter embolism, and cardiac arrhythmias.Use of Ultrasound (US) is currently indicated forvarious clinical situations to reduce complication rate ofLM technique. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of thisstudy was to determine whether US guidance couldimprove the success rate, number of attempts, and rateof acute complications like inadvertent arterialpuncture, hematoma formation, and pneumothorax ofsubclavian venous catheterization. Material andMethods: Sixty patients in need of central venouscatheter were prospectively randomized in two groupsof 30 each. In the LM group patients were catheterizedusing the LM method and in US group patients werecatheterized by real-time US-guidance. Number ofattempts, success rate, access time and complicationslike accidental subclavian artery puncture, haematomaformation, pneumothorax, were recorded. p values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results:In the US group 30 (100%) of patients were successfullycannulated with the US guidance while the landmarktechnique was successful in 26 (86.66%) of patients. Inthe US group the success on first attempt was 83.33 %which was a significantly higher from 56.67% achievedin the LM group (p=0.025). The average number ofattempts for successful cannulation in the US group was1.16 ± 0.4, while in the LM group it was 1.56 ± 0.9 withstatistically significant difference (p=0.046). Accesstime was 27.26 ± 04.62 seconds in the US group, whilethe access time was significantly more in the LM group36.56 ± 17.35 seconds (p=0.0062). Conclusion: USguidance during subclavian vein catheterizationincreases overall and first attempt success, improvesaccess time with reduced average number of attemptsand complications.

Cholesterol Loaded Cyclodextrin Increases cryopreservability of Marwari Stallion (Equus ferus caballus) Spermatozoa by Increasing Cholesterol to Phospholipid Ratio

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