EFFECTS OF OESTRUS ON MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION IN TUNISIAN MAGHREBI CAMELS (CAMEL US DROMEDARIES)

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of oestrus on milk yield and composition in camel (Camelus dromedarius) reared in oasis intensive system in southern Tunisia, 8 healthy females Maghrebi camels (age: 10.6 ± 2.9 years, body weight: 505 ± 39 kg and day in milk: 275 ± 18 days) were equitably divided in two groups. Each female in group 1 received 5 ml of Receptal? (20 µg Buserelin; GnRH analogue) to induce oestrus while dams in group 2 were not injected and served as control. Females were monitored during morning milking for the following 15 days, to record oestrus behaviour, ?stradiol-17? levels, milk yield, estimated daily milk, lag-time, time of milking, titrable acidity and density of raw and 24 h conserved milk, somatic cell count (SCC) and milk's major components (dry matter, fat, protein and ashes). Our results suggest that oestrus did not affect (P>0.05) production and physicochemical parameters in milk and did not alter milk conserved in 4°C during 24 h. These data indicate that changes in physiological status of dairy camels during the breeding season do not require alternative measures to guarantee milk quality.