Circulating Redox Status in the Bedouin Egyptian Oases Camels (Camelus dromedaries) During the Peripartum Period

| The camel forms an integral part of the culture and agriculture of many countries and has done so for thousands of years. How it integrates varies greatly from; the supremerely sophisticated racing camel in the Arabian Gulf. This study aimed to explore the oxidative stress index (OSI, a ratio between pro-oxidants and antioxidants) in the blood serum of camels (Camelus dromedaries) during the peripartum period. Sera samples were collected from ten late pregnant and ten non-pregnant, non-lactating (as a baseline status, BL) multiparous nomadic Balady camels in their natural habitat in the Egyptian oases concerning sampling weekly throughout the last three weeks prepartum, day of calving and weekly throughout the first three weeks postpartum. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total oxidant capacity (TAC) did not differ between pre and postpartum periods and they were within the values of the basal non pregnantnon lactating (NPNL) state. At parturition the values were higher (P < 0.05) than the peripartum and the BL concentrations. Accordingly, the calculated OSI values showed a roughly stable trend (P > 0.05) and did not achieve a clear tendency or statistical significance among sampling times. A positive correlation of TOS with oxidant stress index (0SI) (P<0.001) and TAC (P < 0.001) was noticed. From a redox standpoint, the stability of OSI indicates that the redox system is adapted to the homeostatic status during the peripartum period in nomadic camels. This may indicate that, OSI is not a challenge of these peripartum camels, where the generated redox oxidative stress (ROS) is attacked by a superior defense potential to neutralize it. This study may aid in a better understanding of the physiological adaptation mechanisms of camels and may be useful for comparative studies with other species.