The effects of GnRH on serum concentrations of progesterone, estrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), mineral profile (phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, calcium and manganese) and pregnancy rate were evaluated in female dromedary camels. Forty female camels were randomly assigned to one of four equal groups: A (GnRH treated) and B (control) during breeding season, and C (GnRH treated) and D (control) during non-breeding season. GnRH analogue Dalmarelin (20µg) was given intramuscularly to the treated animals one day prior to mating, while the controls received 1 ml normal saline intramuscularly. Pregnancy was diagnosed 50 days after mating through trans-rectal palpation. Blood from all the groups was collected at the time of GnRH/normal saline administration (day -1), then daily at days 1, 4, 7 and 10 during breeding and non-breeding seasons and analyzed for serum progesterone, estrogen, FSH and mineral profile. LH was determined by blood sampling from all the groups at -1, 1, 2, 3 and 5 hours with reference to one day after GnRH/normal saline administration (this time corresponded to time of mating in mated females). Results revealed that serum progesterone and LH concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in animals of treated than control group during each season. Differences in serum estrogen between treated and control groups in each season were non-significant. However, estrogen levels in both treated and control groups in breeding season were higher (P<0.05) than both groups in non-breeding season. Differences in serum FSH, P, Mg, Zn, Ca and Mn levels among all four groups were non-significant. Pregnancy rate was highest in group A and lowest in group D (P<0.05); the difference between groups B and C was non-significant. In conclusion, use of GnRH shows positive prospects to manipulate reproductive cycle in camels.

To Cite This Article: Jamil H, Qureshi ZI, Abbas M, Hashmi KA, Yasin G, Waqas MS, Kausar R, Lodhi FL and Riaz A, 2020. Effects of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) administration on serum hormonal and mineral profiles and pregnancy rate during breeding and early non-breeding season in female dromedary camel. Pak Vet J, 41(2): 179-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2020.098