Veterinary World, Vol.

2(2): 72-73 REVIEW

Reproduction in Camel
A.V. Khanvilkar1, S. R. Samant2 and B. N. Ambore3

Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science,

Abstract
The word camel is derived from the Greek word “kremal”. Camel is an important component of the
desert ecosystem from time immemorial and is recognized as the “Ship of the desert”. Humans
depend on this animal not just for meat, milk and hide but also as one of the most important mode
of transport in the desert which has increased to 10,30,000 million according to FAO census,
which is almost 6-8% of the total camel population of the world. The genus Camelus has two
species, one humped camel found in Africa, Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan and India and two-humped
camel found in Central Asia reaching up to Mongolia and Western part of China. Camels have 70
chromosomes. Camels do not have sweat glands and can tolerate heat up to
49 oC to 50oC during the day time and 30oC during night time.
Keywords: Camel, Desert, Transport, Ecosystem, Mating, Rutting, Reproduction, Pregnancy.

Reproduction - Excitement
Camel is a seasonal breeder and their - Bleating
reproduction is different as compared to other livestock - Want of male
as both male and female come into heat during the - Swollen Vulva with slimy discharge
- Tries to smell urine and external genitalia of male
breeding season. The terminology used in case of
and raises the tail.
males is “Thoot”, “Rutt” or “Musth”. Usually the heat
- May show homosexual tendencies, also comes
period is from November to March. The female camel
near the male and allows him to mount.
matures at an age of 3-4 years while males at the age
Generally mating occurs by natural method. The
of 4-5 years. During heat period the male emits a black female sits down and keeps the external genitalia open
pigment from his pole gland (skin gland) which helps thus allowing the male to copulate. While mating the
him to attract the females.The male camel has a male and female both make grunting sounds. The whole
specialized inflatable diverticulum of the soft palate sexual act takes about 20 minutes and is accompanied
called as ‘gula’. When the animal is angry or displaying by gurgling and frothing by male and bleating by the
this structure protrudes out from the mouth. The ‘gula’ females.
is extruded when the camel is physically restrained and If conception has taken place then after 15 to 25 days
protrudes temporarily when the animal is chemically the she camel, especially when approached by a male
restrained (Flower, 1978). The gestation period in or handled by an attendant, shows cocking of the tail
camels is 390 days with average birth weight 35-40 but if she has not conceived then cocking of tail is not
kgs. The adult camel weighs 450-750 kgs. seen (G. S. Rathore, 1986).
Mating Rutting in camel
The act of mating in camels is called as “lakhana” Rutt is commonly known as MUSTH. In male
in Rajasthan. Generally one stallion can cover 20to 50 camels the sexual instincts are suppressed for a long
she camels in one season. More than 50 services period throughout the year. Male camels come into
should not be allowed in one breeding season. The “Rutt” for a few months only. After 8 years of age the
duration of estrus cycle varies from 16-22 days and male camel attains full ‘musth’ and is then used for
the duration of heat is for 3-4 days. Camels generally breeding.
do not come in heat in the summer season. Rutt is generally seen in the later half of the cold
The symptoms of estrus in camel are as follows: weather (December to March) when the grazing
1. Associate Professor, Dept of LPM, KNPVC, Shirval, 2. Assistant Professor, Dept of LPM, KNPVC, Shirval
3. Assisstant Professor, Dept of Medicine, KNPVC, Shirval

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conditions are optimum. The sexual activity in general allowed to run extensively. Balanced nutrition with
lasts for 3-6 months. Further, the rutt male camels plenty of water is required. Feed quantity should be
remain silent for sexual activity throughout the year. increased by 25% for growing foetus. Fighting in camels
The strongest and vigorous male expresses leads to rupture of uterus. Kicking and biting on the
‘musth’ while the other male camels remain silent. abdomen should be avoided as far as possible. Plenty
During the advancement of the rutt the camel of green and dry fodder is necessary.The diet generally
shows the following symptoms: prescribed during pregnancy is as follows:
- Loss of hair goes off feed - Concentrate Mix 5kgs
- Falling off in condition and tucked to a great extent - Tree fodder 20-25 kgs
diarrhoea and frequent urination - Crushed barley 2 kgs
- Excitement in which male camel produces - Crushed gram 2kgs
gurgling sound with grinding of teeth. - Bhoosa 7-10 kgs
- Wind sucking, bleating and escapes confinement - Salt 30gms
for the want of a female. Excitement and over exertion may lead to
- Uncontrollable and throws out soft palate from abortion and hence in the last trimester of pregnancy
the females must be given maximum rest. In few
mouth with protruding tongue.
camels, heat during pregnancy is expressed and in
After expression of rutt, a cord to hump to avoid
such cases mating must be avoided.
spoiling due to urine, dung and semen should tie the
tail of the male. In such camels, if put to hard work, Parturition in camel
helps in reduction of ‘musth’, but it is risky. (S. G. In camels the normal signs of parturition are:
Narayankhedkar et al., 1998). Swelling of vulva, Restlessness, Frequent urination,
Pregnancy Camel finds a corner or a dark place and cleans it with
the help of fore legs. Goes off feed.
In camel 99% pregnancy occurs in left horn. The
Generally, parturition occurs in sitting position.
incidence of twin ovulation is 14%. Twin births occur to
The fore limbs of the young one appear first followed
an extent of only 0.4% when both the ovaries ovulate
by the head. The duration of the labour is more
at the same oestrus. Embryos develop initially in both
pronounced. Navel cord generally breaks by itself when
horns but, unfortunately one in right horn dies when it
the camel licks her young and the placenta is expelled
reaches a size of 2-3 cms. In camel there is no record
soon after parturition. Securing of animal as soon as
of freemartin. The foetal growth is of linear pattern. The
the symptoms are seen is advisable. The labour pains
posterior presentation predominates (54-66%) from
continue for 5 to 10 hours. She camel remains in
early pregnancy, in camels. There is no tendency in
recumbent position for few minutes after parturition.
late pregnancy for the amnion to separate from the Camel calf stands on its own within 6-8 hrs after birth.
allantochorion as it may happen in the cows. The female generally produces one calf at a time.
Pregnancy diagnosis: There are various methods of
pregnancy diagnosis in camel like: References
- Physical changes, which are most common: 1. Bais Basant, Manohar G. S.and Purohit, G. R. (2007):
- Cocking of tail,Increase in body weight,Dark Livestock Production and Management 1. NBS
yellow coloured urine,pH of urine becomes Publishers & Distributors, Bengali Mandir, Ravi Bazaar,
3.10,Specific gravity – 1.038 to 1.086., Bikaner-334001, India.
2. Flower M. E., (1978): Restraint and Handling of Wild
- Vaginal folds become prominent,Rectal
and Domestic Animals, pp 249, Iowa State University
palpation by 60 days.
Press.
- Chemical test: Two tests are generally carried 3. Jadhav N. V., Baig M. I., and Devangare A. A.,(2004):
out in camels: Handbook of wild animals and Livestock Management,
- Cuboni test, Academia Publishers, 1329, Vaidwara, Maliwara, Nai
- Barium chloride test, Sarak, Delhi – 110006.
- Biologic test: 4. Narayankhedkar S. G., Nehete S. B. and Sawane, M.
- Detection of gonadotrophins, P. (1998): Production and Management of Swine, camel,
- vaginal cytology Equine and yak, Arunjyoti Publications, 20, Sanskruti,
Care during pregnancy Sector 6, Airoli, Navi Mumbai 400 700.
5. Rathore G.S., (1986): Camels and their management,
Once pregnancy is confirmed the care has to be pp 55-56, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New
taken to avoid abortion. Pregnant camel should not be Delhi.

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