PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF MAGHREBI SHE-CAMELS FED WITH ORGANIC ZINC DIET UNDER SEMI-ARID EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS

Organic zinc-binding with probiotic (Biogen-Zn®; BZ) is a Zn-methionine combined with Bacillus subtilis capable of improving zinc bioavailability, animal health and ameliorating reproductive stress. The present experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of addition BZ to she-camels on their physiological status, reproductive and productive traits under semi-arid Egyptian conditions. Twenty pregnant Maghrebi camels (4–6 parities) with average body weight of 519.96±19.98 kg were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 in each) according to live body weight and parity. The 1st group, camels were fed basal ration and served as control (without supplementation). The 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups of camels were fed the basal ration supplied with BZ at doses of 5, 7, and 10 g BZ/head/day, respectively. BZ was added daily during a period from the first day of the 10th month of pregnancy period and continued up to seven months of lactation period. Blood samples were collected biweekly during different she-camels’ reproductive stages at 10th monthly of pregnancy, at 1st day after calving, and during seven months of lactation period. The results indicated that BZ significantly increased glucose concentrations in serum, total protein, globulin in dose dependent manner. While, serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein were decreased in treated groups compared to the control one. Liver and kidney functions were improved at different sampling stages with 10 g of BZ treatment. Moreover, camels treated with 10 g of BZ revealed a significant effect on placental characteristics fluids including, the shortest duration drop of placenta and the heaviest weights of placenta treated group. As well as, live body weight at 1st service,number of services/conception and service period length during the post-partum period were improved by BZ supplementation. In conclusion, organic zinc-binding with probiotic (BZ) has a potential use for improving physiological status, reproductive and productive performance of she-camels, to particularly with a dose of 10g/h/d of BZ.