Effects of age and season on semen characteristics and reproductive hormonal changes in male dromedary camel

The aim of this study was determination of age and season effects on semen characteristics and reproductive hormonal changes in male dromedary camel. Semen samples were collected from 5 dromedary camels during rutting season using modified bovine atrificial vagina . The semen volume (ml) , concen tration (xl O") , sperm motilIty (%) and dead sperm (%) , were 4 to 12 , 350- 405 x106/ml , 62 to 70 and 18.5 to 20.59 respectirely .Blood Samples obtained from these five male dromedary camels were used to compare basal hormone production rates during the rutting and non-breeding seasons. The results showed a significant increase (P0.05) in serum prolactin concentration, and reduced in FSH, LH, testosterone and cortiosol levels during the non_breeding season . Conversely, prolactin levels declined markedly and FSH, LH , Testosterone and Cortisol levels all rose significantly during the rutting season .Blood Samples from 300 dromedary male camels and testisu of 150 of these camels were collected during rutting and non-rutting season. The animals which used from yazd abattoir were at different ages groups ( 1 to 3 , 3 to 6 . 6 to 10 , 10 to 15 and over 15 years age).Serum testostrone, LH and FSH were assayed using RIA technique, Semen samples were collected from epididyms and examined for determine of sperm characteristics .The results showed a significant increase(P0.05) in serum testosterone , LH , and FSH concentration in all age groups during rutting season except of first group ( 1 to 3 yaers age) . The best quality of semen was obtained during rutting season at 6 to 10 years age . The concentration of sperm , individual motility (%) and live sperm (%) were 382 ± 65.2*106 , 60.6± 4.8 and 64.035 ± 5.2 respectively . The results of this study showed the significant effects of age and season on semen characteristics and reproductive hormonal changes in male dromedary camel