Vol. 12, Issue 2 (2023)

Author(s):
Sandeep Dholpuria, GN Purohit, Sumant Vyas and JS Mehta

Abstract:
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin on the body weight, body girth and fertility of dromedary male camels during the non-breeding and subsequent breeding seasons. Twelve apparently healthy male camels maintained at National Research Centre on Camel, (NRCC) Jorbeer, Bikaner under uniform conditions of feeding and management were selected and randomly divided into two groups i.e. Treatment Group (T_M) and Control group (C) of 6 animals each (n=6). The camels in treatment group (T_M) were treated with melatonin at the dose 18mg/28kg, subcutaneously whereas Control group (C) received plain corn oil. A second dose of melatonin at higher dose rate 1mg/kg body wt was administerd in camels of T_M group which did not showed any subsequent change in the behaviour till 6 October 2018. The body weight of male camels was recorded at weekly intervaland Hump girth (thoracic, hump and abdominal girth) were measure at fortnightly up to breeding season (17^th weeks). The body weight and hump girth were non significantly increased initially than decreased in treatment group (T_M) group than Control group (C).