ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the role of Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) antibody in comparison to Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients as predictors of the disease activity and cartilage destruction. The study included 60 patients &10 apparently healthy subjects. They were divided into 4 groups. Group 1: consisted of 20 patients with established rheumatoid arthritis( and positive rheumatoid factor). Group 2: 20 suspected (rheumatoid factor negative) patients Group 3: 20 patients with other autoimmune inflammatory diseases (15 with psoaritic arthritis, 5 with systemic lupus erthromatosis).and Group 4: 10 age and sex matched controls. For each patient medical examination and disease activity evaluation using Disease Activity Score (DAS) was performed Anti cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti CCP) level was measured by ELISA method and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) was determined by indirect immune fluorescent method. Serum level of anti CCP antibodies and COMP were Significantly related to DAS (disease activity score) and cartilage destruction, the serum presence of COMP was highly significant in rheumatoid arthritis patients than those with other autoimmune disease, the sensitivity of anti CCP in diagnosis of RA was 77.5% and specificity was96.6%. It is concluded that anti CCP, and COMP may be a useful noninvasive markers for disease activity and cartilage destruction.
