Induction of sexual activity in female camels during the nonbreeding season

Sixteen anestrous adult female camels (Camelus dromedarius ) in good health and with inactive ovaries were selected from the herd during the month of June (non-breeding season). The camels were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. To induce ovarian activity, camels in Groups I,II and III were given an intramuscular injection of 250 mg hydroxyprogesterone hexanoate followed by 1000 IU eCG on days 2 and 3 of treatment. The camels were mated on Day 5 after the last eCG injection. Ovulation in Groups II and III was induced by intravenous administration of 3000 IU hCG and 40 mcg GnRH, respectively. Group IV was administered saline and served as the control. Periodic examinations per rectum were performed to explore the status of the ovaries. Blood samples were collected at 8 different stages and sera were analyzed for estradiol 17-B and progesterone using specific RIA kits. All camels in the control and treated groups were mated successfully. Levels of estradiol 17-B did not exhibit any particular trend. Blood progesterone levels suggested ovulation in 2 camels (50%) in Group I and in 3 camels (75%) in each of Groups of II and III. This was confirmed by presence of CL in the ovary during per rectum examination. No camel ovulated in the control group. One camel conceived in each of Groups I and III.