THE EFFECT OF NORGESTOMET IMPLANT ON FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT IN BACTRIAN CAMEL

Progestagens have been used in order to control follide wave dynamics in camelids, however, the results are contra versial.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of single norgestomet implant on ovarian follicle development in Bactrian camel. Bactrian camels (n=8; 6-14 years old) were assigned randomly to two groups. Norgestomet treated group (n=4) received one implant of norgestomet under the skin of ear for 10 days (Day 0= Day of implant insertion). Camels in Control group (n=4) did not receive any treatment. Daily ultrasound examination using trans-rectal linear probe was conducted to determine ovarian follicle status. Mature follicle was defined as a growing follicle at the size of 13-17 mm in diameter. In both groups, there was a female with a persistent follicle throughout the experiment and a new emergence of follicle wave on Day 6-7 of the experiment. The latter follicle did not reach mature size on Day 10 of experiment. In both groups, there was a female with growing follicle during the experiment that became at the range of mature size at the termination of study. In both groups, there was a female with a regressing follicle throughout the experiment and a growing follicle which become mature during 10 days of treatment. One female in Control group had a persistent follicle throughout the experiment and a new emergence on Day 9. One female in Norgestomet treated group, had a persistent follicle during experiment and a growing follicle that ovulated spontaneously between Days 9 and 10 of experiment. In conclusion, single Norgestomet implant for 10 days does not regulate ovarian follicle development in Bactrian camel.