Ascorbic acid status of female camels during different phases of reproduction.
There is suggestive evidence that a low status of ascorbic acid in camels enhances their risk for infectious diseases. This study was carried out to disclose the role of reproduction, if any, in affecting ascorbic acid status. The associations between the reproductive cycle and ascorbic acid contents in plasma and leukocytes were studied in Sudanese camels browsing on local vegetation. Ascorbic acid status was found to be lowest during pregnancy and highest during lactation. Estrus versus non-estrus was associated with high vitamin C status. Brucellosis-positive camels showed decreased levels of ascorbic acid in plasma and leukocytes. Possibly, the phases of non-estrus and pregnancy in camels invoke an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to a lower ascorbic acid status.
Mohamed
Hasab E
HE
Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. hmohamedd@ksu.edu.sa
Alhaidary
Ahmed
A
Beynen
Anton C
AC
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D002162:Camelus / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy
D001205:Ascorbic Acid