Studies on the Leucogram of Female Camels (C. dromedarius) at Various Reproductive Phases

Contents: The leucocytic picture in 90 mature, healthy dromedary‐cows, representing the different reproductive phases, as well as, the non‐cyclic one, was determined. The non‐cyclic camels possess high total leucocytic count (15.5 × 10 3 /cm 3 ) compared with other ruminants. Moreover, neutrophilic domination (58.7%) with increased N/L ratio (1.5) in camels is not typical for other quadrupeds. At oestrus, there was a mild neutrophilia, eosinopenia and lymphopenia (61.1%, 0,4% and 37,4%, respectively versus respective values of 58.7%, 0, 7% and 39, 7% in non‐cyclic camels). However, the total number of leucocytes was reduced (13.7 vs. 15.5 × 103/cm3). A steady neutrophilia, eosinophilia and lymphopenia was associated with advancement of gestation in camels. An exceptional transient leucocytosis (P<0.05), with elevation in the lymphocyte proportion, occurred during the 9thand 10thmonth. At the preparturient period, a significant (P < 0.01) leucopenia, with neutrophilia (P < 0.01), lymphopenia (P < 0.05), and eosinopenia were reported. During early puerperium, the dromedary's leucogram revealed a typical moderate hematologic response to stress, manifested by lymphopenia (P < 0.01), eosinopenia (P < 0.05) and neutrophilia (P < 0.01) resulting in leucocytosis (P < 0.05).