Environmental and neuroendocrine control of breeding activity in the dromedary camel

The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), a well-adapted desert mammal, is a seasonal breeder whose sexual activity occurs during the winter and spring. These periods coincide with food resources and climate conditions are favorable for offspring’s survival. The mechanisms involved in the control o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inRevue Marocaines des sciences agronomiques et vétérinaires Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 143 - 157
Main Authors H. AINANI, M.R. ACHAÂBAN, , A. TIBARY, P. PÉVET, V. SIMONNEAUX, K. EL ALLALI
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II 01.06.2018
Subjects
ambient temperature
Dromedary camel
food availability
Kisspeptin
photoperiod
rainfall
RFRP
seasonal breeding
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), a well-adapted desert mammal, is a seasonal breeder whose sexual activity occurs during the winter and spring. These periods coincide with food resources and climate conditions are favorable for offspring’s survival. The mechanisms involved in the control of this seasonality however still need to be elucidated. The aim of this review is to describe the reproductive patterns of the dromedary camel. This includes the geographical seasonal breeding distribution of this species taking into account the role of various physical environmental parameters notably temperature, day length and the amount of rainfall. Further, various aspects of seasonal breeding in male and female camels are discussed as well as the neuroendocrine factors that may control seasonal such phenomena. Finally, the putative roles of two hypothalamic neuropeptides, kisspeptin and (Arg) (Phe) related peptide, are proposed for the control of camel’s seasonal reproduction.
ISSN:2028-991X
2550-4401