Factors of variation of mineral, biochemical and enzymatic parameters in the blood plasma of dromedaries in Djibouti

Abstract

Fifteen blood plasma parameters (mineral, biochemical and enzymatic) in 52 dromedaries (27 adult females, 7 adult males, 5 young males and 13 young females) from five natural areas in Djibouti were analysed. According to observed values, Djiboutian dromedaries exhibited trace element deficiencies concerning copper (60.7 µg/100 ml) and zinc (46.2 µg/100 ml) but not calcium (9.5 mg/100 ml) or magnesium (2.3 mg/100 ml) although the standard deviation was large in the latter case (1.1-3.9). Moreover, dromedaries in Djibouti seemed to be energy deficient (63.7 g/100 ml for glucose, 0.025 mmole/l for ßOII, 0.17 mmole/l for FFA), but the dietary protein level seemed to be satisfactory (urea 35.9 mg/100 ml, albumine 32.7 g/l). The metabolic peculiarities of dromedaries explain the values of plasma lipids (cholesterol 19.5, phospholipid 22.4 and triglyceride 26.6 mg/100 ml). The geographical factor prevails over the zootechnical factor (age, sex) for explaining the differences between observed profiles. The characteristics between the five natural areas are discussed in relation to mean profile, observed on the animals.