Impact of transport distance on stress biomarkers levels in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

• Published in: Emirates journal of food and agriculture Vol. 27; no. 6; p. 507
• Main Authors: El Khasmi, Mohammed, Chakir, Youssef, Bargaâ, Rita, Barka, Kaoutar, Lektib, Islah, El Abbadi, Najia, Belhouari, Abderrahmane, Faye, Bernard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Pensoft Publishers 01-06-2015
• Subjects: Acquisitions & mergers; Animals; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Free radicals; Glucose; Hormones; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Plasma; Vitamin E
• ISSN: 2079-052X; 2079-0538
• DOI: 10.9755/ejfa.2015.04.058

The welfare conditions of domestic animals during transport to the slaughterhouse are largely known able to influence the level of their stress, physiology and meat quality. Furthermore, the reaction of animals to stressors depends on the duration and intensity of these stressors. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of transport distance on some blood physiological indicators of stress and biomarkers of oxidant stress in camels. Transport distances were categorized as short (72-80km), medium (160-170km) and long (350-360km) distance. Haematocrit, haemolysis, cortisol, glucose, lactate, malondialdehyde and catalase increased gradually and significantly (P<0.05) with transport distance, and that over longer distance these parameters were more significant (P<0.005) compared with short-distance. A positive correlation (P<0.001) was obtained between cortisol, glucose, lactate, malondialdéhyde and catalase.As conclusion, road transport is very stressful in camel, and the effects of this stress on the relevant indicators rising much with distance. Future work should focus on the effect of transport distance on some quality indicators of camel meat.