K.A. Al-Busadah
Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and
Animal Resources, King Faisal University, P.O.Box 1757, Al-Ahsa - 31982, Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Serum calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were measured in 30 camel calves at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The levels were high at 3 month, which decreased with increasing age. The infusion of EDTA into experimental animals resulted in a slight decrease in serum Ca concentration but it had no effect on Mg. Calcium borogluconate administration into two experimental animals led to an increase in serum Ca concentration within 30-60 minutes, then it returned to pre-injection level. This treatment had no effect on serum Mg. Partial parathyroidectomy resulted in a decline in both serum Ca and Mg levels which returned to pre-surgical levels 24 hours post surgery. The results of this study highlighted the possible involvement of the parathyroid gland in the regulation of Ca and Mg metabolism in the young camel.
Key words: Calcium, calf camel, magnesium, metabolism
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