Ten growing Shami female dromedaries, 27 weeks old were used to
determine peripheral levels of glucose, IGF-1 and leptin in prepubertal Shami
dromedary heifers. Body weight(BW) was measured and blood samples were
collected weekly from the jugular
vein for 6 months in EDTA-containing tubes.
Serum was separated and stored at −20°C for later analysis. Glucose was
determined using a colorimetric glucose oxidase kit. Serum concentrations of
IGF-1 and leptin were assayed using some modifications of bovine radioimmunoassay
procedures. Animals were grouped according to their birth date,
body weight or average daily gain and variations in the plasma concentrations
of parameters as well as to the effect of studied factors were tested and assessed
by analysis of variance using the general linear model, repeated measurements
procedures of SAS. It is reported for the first time information on peripheral
levels of glucose, IGF-1 and leptin hormones in sexually immature dromedary
heifers and results indicated that BW had a significant effect (p<0.05) on IGF-1
levels. Overall means for glucose, Igf-1 and leptin, were 188 ± 4.11 mg\dl, 222 ±
6.43 ng\ml, and13.27 ± 0.16 ng\ml, respectively and it was found that those
concentrations were greater than values in sexually immature females in the
other domestic animals. Such information might be helpful for specialists to
search for the role of these hormones in the reproductive function and develop
breeding programs to reduce the period of the onset of puberty and increase
the reproductive performance of dromedary camels.
