Alterations in Camels’ Vaginal Temperature, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, and Steroid Hormones in Response to Exogenous Progesterone Insert During Cold Ambient Temperature

Abstract

To determine changes in the vaginal temperature, oxidants-antioxidants, and ovarian hormones to new, blank, and used CIDR in Dromedary camels, Ten healthy, non-pregnant dromedary camels of age (6-12) years were divided equally into two groups. The first group was inserted previously used-CIDR (uCIDR)-data logger for eleven days. The second group was inserted a new-CIDR (CIDR)-data logger for 8 days. All ciders were removed for 5 days (control-rest interval) and then re-inserted after washing and cleaning for another 11 days (R-uCIDR, R-CIDR). Blood samples were collected and sera were used to measure estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), total antioxidants capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione reduced (GSH), and catalase (CAT). Results showed increased (P<0.0001) vaginal temperature after re-inserting CIDR. The control rest intervals had the lowest (P<0.0001) P4 and GSH while E2 and MDA reached their highest levels. CIDR and R-CIDR insertions indicated higher (P<0.0001) vaginal temperature, P4, E2, with lower MDA and NO compared to uCIDR. The use of the univariate general linear model (Intercept + 2 treatment +11 Days CIDR + 24 Hour + 5 animals) revealed that vaginal temperature is influenced (P<0.0001) by treatment, Days, hour, Treatment ×Day, Treatment ×hour. Vaginal temperature correlated (P<0.0001) with ambient temperature of uCIDR (r=0.37); R-uCIDR and CIDR (r=0.28); and R-CIDR (r=0.40). In conclusion ambient temperature, day during CIDR, hour of the day, and type of CIDR affects vaginal temperature. Ovarian hormones, oxidants, and antioxidants vary according to the type of CIDR, days of insertion and after removal.