MANIPULATION OF REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS IN MALE-FEMALE CAMELS

Old World camels (Camelus dromedarius or dromedary and Camel bactrianu s or Bactrian camel) have been used for millenia in geographic areas a nd climates for which they are uniquely adapted. Human survival and tr ade in these areas has been dependent on the use of camels as beasts o f burden, in agriculture, and as a source of milk, meat and fiber. Sys tematic efforts to apply modern aspects of genetic breeding for improv ed fertility and productivity are sparse and difficult to comprehend a nd adopt by nomadic breeders and almost subsistence farmers, in whose hands the majority of camels may be found. As a prerequisite for impro vements in reproductive management, a status report is given on the fo llowing subjects: puberty, breeding season, the estrous cycle, coitus- induced ovulation and its control with intravaginal infusion of normal ejaculates, those from vasectomized males, and seminal plasma, utero- ovarian relationships and pregnancies. Ovulations can be induced by lu teinizing hormone (LH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and gonado trophin releasing hormone (GnRH), and superovulations with equine chor ionic gonadotrophin (eCG) (pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin; PMSG). Priming with progesterone (PRID, intravaginally) may enhance superovu latory responses, as does treatment at the correct phase of follicle w ave development and the use of hCG. Recipients for embryo transfer can be prepared by using PRID, and hCG to induce ovulations. Embryos can be successfully recovered and transferred by non-surgical methods. Inf ormation on males is added which includes data on artificial inseminat ion, involving semen collection via electro-ejaculation, semen charact eristics and evaluation methods, deep freezing semen and insemination techniques. Modem methods of reproductive manipulation require sedatio n and analgesia, for which recently developed a(2)-agonists, such as d etomidine, are well suited.