Follicular fluid and serum biochemical and hormonal profiles of normal and cystic dromedary camel breeds

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ovarian cysts (OC) in female dromedary camels have been described as problematic because they can cause infertility. This study aimed to compare the hormone concentrations and biochemical contents present in serum and follicular fluid of normal and cystic she-dromedaries of the two most common Algerian camel breeds (Sahraoui and Targui) to gain a better understanding of biological differences that may yield insights into preventing or treating this ovarian abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At an abattoir in southeastern Algeria, 100 pairs of the same females’ ovaries and blood samples were taken immediately after the slaughter of clinically healthy, non-pregnant females (8–15 years old) over two consecutive breeding seasons (November 2017–April 2018 and November 2018–April 2019). The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, protein, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were determined using commercial diagnostic kits and standard analytical procedures. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to measure progesterone (P4) and insulin concentrations. RESULTS: The concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and P4 in sera and follicular fluid (regardless of ovarian follicle diameter) were different (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the other parameters studied. Glucose, insulin, cholesterol, urea, and P4 levels in blood serum differed significantly from pre-ovulatory follicles. None of the biochemical and hormonal components measured differed significantly between the pre-ovulatory and cystic fluids of the she-dromedaries studied. The breed did not affect the biochemical and hormonal composition of she-dromedary cystic and follicular fluids. CONCLUSION: Ovarian cysts appear to form in a metabolic milieu distinct from follicular fluid and blood serum, with no influence from camel breeds. It is suggested that further research on the blood-follicle barrier be conducted to gain a better understanding of the OC development process in she-dromedaries.