Insurance

Breeding Systems

They are strongly correlated with ecological, social, and economic constraints.

The extensive pastoral system relies on the use of vast spaces with limited food availability. It involves searching for the best pastures near water sources.

The semi-intensive agro-pastoral system is characterized by the use of animals for specific tasks. Nutritional supplementation is provided to compensate for various deficiencies.

The intensive system serves as a production tool for the dairy and meat industry. Nutritional supplementation becomes a key economic factor, with the pharmaceutical sector also playing a significant role.

Camel Physiology

Camels are animals adapted to extreme climatic conditions.

They endure high thermal fluctuations, air aridity, low-nutrient soils, and the wide dispersion of food resources.

Adaptation to Thermal Constraints

Camels regulate their body temperature through the concentration of fat reserves in the hump, facilitating sweat evaporation across the body. This allows them to maintain a stable internal temperature while minimizing water loss.

Their internal body temperature can vary by 10°C (32 - 42°C) depending on external conditions without affecting their health. This limits metabolic increases and reduces water needs.

Anatomical adaptations—such as thick skin, specific hair characteristics, unique sweat glands, and a specialized blood network in the sinuses—enhance their resistance to temperature variations.

Adaptation to Dehydration

Dromedaries can withstand dehydration of up to 35% of their body weight. Their ability to drink large amounts of water rapidly allows them to compensate for fluid loss. Water is quickly assimilated into the plasma.

Their gastric compartments act as natural reservoirs, storing and transferring water efficiently.

The secretion of saliva from the parotid glands also helps reduce dehydration.

Adaptation to Undernutrition

Camels have a unique metabolic biochemistry:

A. Their blood sugar levels are significantly higher than in other ruminants, indicating an active energy metabolism, renal and hepatic gluconeogenesis, and low ketogenesis.

B. They recycle urea, which re-enters the digestive tract via saliva or the rumen epithelium, helping maintain nitrogen balance.

Dromedaries prefer halophyte plants (rich in salt and water), which provide a stable and abundant food source year-round. During rapid rehydration, their red blood cells swell with water and become spherical within 3 to 5 hours, demonstrating their remarkable resistance to osmotic stress.

These characteristics allow camels to survive periods of energy or protein deficiency. With a balanced diet supplemented by Camel’s Star phyto-nutrition, filtered urea is excreted at 50% efficiency.

Their digestion process is prolonged, allowing microorganisms to break down supplements effectively.

The absorption of microbial digestion byproducts (acids, ammonia) through the digestive walls occurs over a short period, ensuring efficient nutrient utilization.

The secretion of bicarbonates and carbonates by the stomach lining plays a crucial role in maintaining the fermentative balance necessary for microbial digestion.

Camels exhibit a strong preference for foods rich in salt and nitrogen.

Camelid Immunoglobulins and Antibodies

The mammary gland provides essential protection for young camels during their first weeks of life, as maternal secretions support the immune system until it becomes fully functional.

Immunoglobulins G, M, and A have been identified in camel colostrum.

Camels possess two main classes of immunoglobulins in their blood:

• IgM

• IgG (with three subclasses: IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3)

The production of antibodies follows several steps: specialized immune cells must first recognize a foreign antigen before producing specific antibodies.

Antibodies are considered powerful tools for identifying and targeting molecules with high specificity and affinity. They can be obtained as antisera from immunized animals or as monoclonal antibodies.

Camelid antibodies exhibit a unique heavy-chain structure, which allows them to bind to antigens even in the absence of light chains.

The heavy polypeptide chain consists of a variable domain, followed by a hinge region, CH2, and CH3 domains. The absence of a CH1 domain explains the lack of a light chain in camel antibodies.

Antibody Structure Diagram

Diagram: Y-shaped structure comparing conventional antibodies (left) with camelid antibodies (right).

• Blue regions represent constant chains.

• Yellow and green regions represent variable and adaptive regions, responsible for antigen recognition.

Glossary

• Phaneres: Visible body outgrowths such as horns, hair, and nails.

• Sudoriferous gland: Sweat gland located under the skin, responsible for thermoregulation via perspiration.

• Glycemia: Blood sugar or glucose concentration in the bloodstream.

• Immunoglobulins: Protein complexes produced by the immune system to detect and neutralize pathogens.

• Antibodies: Proteins that protect against bacteria, viruses, and toxins by binding to antigens.

• Monoclonal therapeutic antibodies: Lab-engineered molecules used to treat diseases, mimicking natural immune responses.