Characterization of inhibitory activity of camel urine on human platelet function

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that both camel plasma and urine display inhibitory action on human platelet function. This study aimed to determine whether the platelet-inhibiting activity in camel plasma is filtered into urine or if this activity is initiated by the kidney and to evaluate the impact of the camel's reproductive status on this inhibitory activity

Methods: The study included 67 non-pregnant, pregnant and lactating female camels. Platelet function was tested in the camels by light transmission aggregometry and platelet function analyser [PFA-100[registered]] studies

Results: In comparison to the results in human beings, camel platelet aggregation responses to both adenosine diphosphate [ADP] and arachidonic acid [AA] agonists showed a significant reduction. Furthermore, human platelet aggregation responses were significantly inhibited by camel urine. Some camels displayed inhibitory activity in both plasma and urine, while others displayed this activity in either blood or urine. In camel categories with markedly inhibited platelet aggregation responses, urine caused marked inhibition of human platelets. In camels with antiplatelet urine effects, camel platelet inhibition was also confirmed by prolongation of platelet function analyser 100 [PFA-100[registered]] closure times in all categories. Lactating camels showed stronger urine inhibitory activity compared to other groups

Conclusions: These findings suggest that an inhibitory factor could be filtered from camel plasma; however, a renal source cannot be excluded. Lactating camels seem to possess more potent urine inhibitory activity compared to other camel groups. These findings support the fact that the claimed beneficial therapeutic properties of camel urine originate in part from the kidney and could be filtered from plasma

Morphological forms of Trypanosoma evansi from blood of Arabian camel [Camelus dromedarius] in the Riyadh metropolitan areas

Trypanosoma evansi is commonly referred to as haemoflagellate infesting camels and other vertebrates. It is causative agent of number of diseases. T. evansi has several morphological forms. We have detected three forms in the blood of camels, slender, transitional and intermediate. The present study is the first investigation on the morphological forms of T. evansi in Arabian camels in Saudi Arabia

Effect of long-term dehydration on serum constituents in extreme climatic conditions in camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Eight healthy female adult camels were used to study the effect of long term dehydration on serum constituents in extreme climatic conditions viz. cold and hot. The dehydration phases were of 24 days in cold and 13 days in hot conditions. The changes in sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus were non significant (P > 0.05) while in chloride, glucose, total proteins, urea, bilirubin, cholesterol and creatinine were significant (P < or = 0.05) during dehydration phase. The mean values of all the constituents tended to return to normal as the rehydration phase advanced. Changes in sodium and potassium in dehydrated camels reflected that they were able to maintain the salt balance.

Testosterone level in adult male camels under normal and stress conditions

The present study was carried out on 7 healthy, adult, male camels above 5.5 years of age. Blood testosterone level was estimated during the rut season. The effect of social, management and climatological stress on blood testosterone level was investigated. The results showed that adult male camels had a significantly higher mean blood testosterone level during rut in comparison with males at the non breeding period or males under social stress. Dominant males at the end of the breeding season had significantly higher mean blood testosterone level in comparison with their mean value during the same period, but under management stress. The obtained results showed a highly significant negative correlation between testosterone and temperature and a significant positive correlation between testosterone and relative humidity

Plasma monoamine oxidase levels in mammals.

Plasma monoamine oxidase (MAO) levels in ruminants and non-ruminants including man are reported. The mean MAO levels in units are, goat 6699.7+/-367.4; cattle 6272.9+/-9.257.4; camel 5166.0+/-666.8; sheep 4831.4+/-543.8; buffaloe 4045.8+/-387.3; rabbit 837.0+/-19.3; dog 441.8+/-55.5 and man 20.0+/-2.8 respectively.