Selected Research on Camelid Physiology and Nutrition

Editor: T.K. Gahlot

Co-Editors: N.Kataria, R.Yagil, K Dahlborn, M Bengoumi, TEA Osman, B Faye, M Gauly, W v Engelhardt, Afaf S Fahmy, A Tibary and GA Alhadrami

ISBN-81-901141-2-3

First Edition 2004

Published by The Camelid Publishers

Now marketed by Camel Publishing House, Bikaner, India

Camelid researchers had tremendous contributions in the field of physiology and nutrition during 1994-2003 which was evident by publishing 111 manuscripts on above subject in Journal of Camel Practice and Research during 1994-2003. The book spreads in 11 sections covered in 864 pages. The manuscripts were contributed by 191 authors of 22 countries. Authors were from India, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE, Egypt, USA, Germany, Iran, France, Kenya, Israel, Sudan, Ecuador, Japan, Italy, Sweden, UK, Belgium, China and Pakistan. These manuscripts were classified as Adaptation/stress and dehydration, biochemistry, endocrinology, enzymology, haematology, milk, physiology related to the nutrition and respiratory and  digestive systems, renal and reproductive physiology, nutrition and miscellaneous.

The chapter on biochemistry included biochemical analysis of  urine, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, sweat glands and blood in young, adult, pregnant and non-pregnant animals which is  highly useful to researchers and clinicians.

Insulin and antidiabetic activity of camel milk, thyroxine and insulin like growth factor-I in milk and plasma of camels and effect of camel milk on glycemic control risk factors and diabetes quality of life in type I diabetes are some important manuscripts explaining role of camel milk in the treatment of diabetes.

The chapters on renal physiology included parameters like filtered and excreted loads of urea,glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, thiosulphate clearance rate, intravenous glucose tolerance test, phenosulphothalein, fractional clearance, osmolal and water clearance, electrolytes and creatinine clearance tests.

The chapter on nutrition focussed on trace mineral nutrition, copper deficiency, 3 tier silvi Pasteur grazing, dry matter protein, fibre degradation, short chain fatty acids absorption, thiamine levels and nutritional limitations.

Nutritional and digestive physiology chapter includes studies on digesta flow, particle size, distribution of digesta, motoric activities in the forestomach, urea recycling, circadian patterns of forestomach motility and rumination and physiology of digestion.