Blood Trace Element Status in Camels: A Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Trace elements are required in small quantities for all species, and their role in many biological functions is essential. Additionally, their deficiency or excess can have important consequences for metabolism and health. Although camels live in ecosystems dominated by minerals, they are also subject to such imbalances. To investigate the trace element status of camels, as for other animals, blood sampling is preferred. The present paper gives a large overview of the values observed in camel blood samples under different physiological and health conditions, as well as some data regarding the symptoms in deficiency or excess situations. The main trace elements involved are copper, zinc, iron, selenium, manganese, cobalt, iodine, fluorine and molybdenum. In addition, some data regarding bromide and nickel, due to their specific mention in the literature, are included. Although the status of sulfur is regarded as intermediary between the main and trace elements, it is added due to its role in polluted areas. Finally, some specificities of camel trace elements are discussed. ABSTRACT: Trace minerals play an important role in animal health and productivity. They are involved also in many physiological activities, and their deficiency causes a variety of pathological problems and metabolic defects, reducing consequently the animal productivity. The demand for animal products in semi-arid areas is rapidly increasing, and the supply is still below the required level, partially due to low animal productivity. Camels (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) are considered one of the main sources of healthy, high-quality meat and milk for human consumption within most of the countries in the semi-arid regions. Despite their efficient adaptation to their environment, camels can suffer from the growth retardation of newborns, low feed efficiency, anemia, poor fertility, poor reproduction and many other metabolic disorders. It is well known that trace mineral deficiencies and trace mineral toxicities can influence camels’ production and reproductive efficiency, as well as many aspects of their growth and metabolism. Evaluating the trace minerals status of camels and their variability is an obvious step toward improving camels’ productivity and health. Thus, the present article reviews the data regarding the status of trace minerals (copper, zinc, iron, selenium, manganese, cobalt, iodine, fluorine, molybdenum, sulfur, bromide and nickel) in camel blood and their physiological variability, with a focus on their deficiency and toxicity effects.