Milk Profile of Marecha Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Affected by Stage of Lactation and Pregnancy

Asim Faraz1*, Nasir Ali Tauqir2, Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq1, Muhammad Arslan Akbar3, Muhammad Abubakar Sufyan1, Abdul Waheed1, Muhammad Usman Saleem4, Muhammad Shahid Nabeel5, Morteza Bitaraf Sani6, Amal AlKharusi7, Samira Jebahi8 and Ayman Balla Mustafa9

1Department of Livestock and Poultry Production, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

2Department of Animal Nutrition, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

3Department of Breeding and Genetics, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

4Department of Bio Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan

5Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Punjab, Pakistan

6Animal Science Research Department, Yazd Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Yazd, Iran

7Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Water Resource, Sultanate of Oman

8TechnologiesNucléaires (CNSTN), 2020, Sidi Thabet-Tunisia

9Therapeutic Nutrition Department, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya

Abstract | The current research was conducted to investigate the outcome of lactation stage and pregnancy on milk composition and production of Marecha dromedary camel at Camel Breeding and Research Station (CBRS), Rakh Mahni, district Bhakkar of Punjab province, Pakistan. Two comparable groups of she-camels were formed and each group had ten she-camels; one group was selected from early lactation stage (1-3 months) with no pregnancy (G1) and the second group (G2) with end lactation stage (11-14 months) with pregnancy (2-4). Milk yield was recorded in liters. By using Milky Lab Analyzer, the estimated values of milk composition were determined including protein, total solids, fat, density, lactose, and solids not fat (SNF). The difference between composition of milk, and yield was found to be significantly (P<0.05) high. Solids not fat (SNF), protein, and total solids in milk were found to be highly significant (P<0.05) in early lactating and non-pregnant females while milk density and lactose were studied to be highly significant in mid-end lactating and pregnant she-camels. A significant reduction in milk fat, protein, and SNF total solids was studied as the stage of lactation proceed. The results showed that physiological condition like the lactation stage and pregnancy has great significant effects on milk composition and yield.

Novelty Statement | Camel is a chief source of food security especially for the arid and semi-arid areas of Pakistan, where the pastorals mainly rely on this natural resource for their food and day to day activities. The major product of camel is milk in this area, while this study especially deals with two important factors i.e. lactation stage and pregnancy effects on milk profile of Marecha dromedary camel in desert adobes. This study will make the primary database of country for related future studies and will pave a way for further investigations in camel science.

Article History

Received: May 21, 2022

Revised: October 15, 2022

Accepted: November 09, 2022

Published: April 03, 2023

Authors’ Contributions

AF conducted trial and wrote the paper. MSN helped in conduct of trial, NAT, HMI, MAA, MAS and MUS, helped in write-up. AW helped in analysis, MBS and AAK helped in structuring manuscript. SJ and ABM reviewed the paper.

Keywords

Camel, Production, Composition, Milk, physiological condition

Copyright 2023 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Corresponding authors: Asim Faraz

drasimfaraz@bzu.edu.pk

To cite this article: Faraz, A., Tauqir, N.A., Ishaq, H.M., Akbar, M.A., Sufyan, M.A., Waheed, A., Saleem, M.U., Nabeel, M.S., Sani, M.B., Al-Kharusi, A., Jebahi, S., and Mustafa, A.B., 2023. Milk profile of marecha camel (Camelus dromedarius) affected by stage of lactation and pregnancy. Punjab Univ. J. Zool., 38(1): 43-51. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pujz/2023.38.1.43.51

Introduction

Camel has an integral part in the sustenance of livelihood of rural population of the various eco-zones ranging from central Asia to the horn of Africa (Faraz et al., 2019a; Faraz, 2020). The purpose of camel domestication was mainly for milk production and they are said to be a good milk producer and a chief source of livelihood, particularly for population of arid, semi-arid, and deserted areas (Faraz et al., 2019b). Vitamin C is higher in camel milk (Konuspayeva et al., 2011) and in pastoral community, it has importance as source of food (Mohamed et al., 2005; Saini et al., 2007).

For pastoralists and agro-pastoralists, camel has great importance over other domestic livestock which is adapted to semi-arid or arid conditions because during drought conditions it produces a satisfying volume of milk for a longer period (Faraz et al., 2019c, 2021). Camels have excellent genetic potential for milk production and their lactation period is much longer (390 days) than small as well as large ruminants. The fodder necessities are also relatively lesser than other dairy animals, the only source of milk are camels, especially in desert areas (Faraz et al., 2019b).

Camel has the great production capacity of extra milk per kg of body weight as compared with other dairy animals (Knoess et al., 1986). In same conditions, camel lactation period is longer than other domestic species as compared to their feed intake which is moderate (Wilson, 1998). Camels can survive in harsh and hostile places where greenish fodder is available seasonally only due to unpredictable rainfalls (Knoess, 1977; Yagil, 1994).

Pakistan has a good number of camels population of 1.1 million heads (GOP, 2021-22), so it is enough population to make to help Pakistanis understand our tasks to multi-purpose domestication of camel specie. Urbanization is speedier in the country, the camel population is maintained and has no descending tendency so that details can be clearly mentions the worth of the one-humped camel in different areas of Pakistan (Faraz et al., 2019c). Therefore, there is a need of reconnoitering its production potential affected by several physiological conditions under its natural habitat. Under the routine regional pastoral managing system, milk production by camels is enough than any other type of species of domesticated animals when they are raised in the similar environment (Raziq et al., 2010).

It exemplifies that the camel has an excessive potential as a dairy animal in its usual environment. Milk production differs with the age, breed of animal, managemental conditions, feeding, and lactation stage. By following the above debate, the plan of the present research was desired to assess the influence of lactation stage and pregnancy on composition and yield of milk in the natural environment of Marecha dromedary camel (Thal desert).

Materials and Methods

Study area

The CBRS (Camel Breeding and Research Station) Rakh Mahni is located in the Thal desert region and this area is considered as the agro-ecological zone-III. Sandy storms come and contain dunes and thin strips of sandy crests. The climatic conditions change between the semi-arid and arid regions and the average temperature of midwinter falls from 5.5 to 1.3 and the average temperature during summer days reaches up to 45.6 °C. From south to north average rain fall increases and range of average annual rainfall is from 150-350mm (Rahim et al., 2011).

Allocation and management of experimental animals

The experiment was conducted at CBRS Rakh Mahni Bhakkar Punjab, Pakistan during 2015-16. Twenty she-camels of Marecha breed were divided into two comparable groups each with ten animals, one group (G1) was selected from the early lactation stage (1-3 months) with no pregnancy and the second group (G2) was at the end lactation stage (11-14 months) with pregnancy (2-4). At the start of the current trial, all animals in the current experiment were carefully observed. Healthy she-camels were only included in the trial physically. Deworming of animals was completed after every 3 months by using an injection of ivermectin (1%) @ 1ml/50 kg body weight. A spray of ecofleece solution was also used on the animals and shed @ 1cc/liter and 2cc/liter of water, respectively. Vaccination against trypnosomiasis disease was done using a 1 g sachet for 4 adult camels of injection of trypamedium (Samorine) after every three months.

Feeding management

The same quantity of ration was provided to all animals with similar trial conditions. All animals were offered with @ 2-3 kg per day concentrate. Browsing/grazing was practiced for the animals for 3-4 hours daily in the jungle. Animals were provided Cicer arientinum (gram straw) adlib for the rest of the time as manager feeding. Water was offered two times daily. Salt knobs were provided to managers and dicalcium phosphate powder was fed @ 100g/animal daily. The composition of concentrate, its chemical and constituents is stated in Table 1 and gram straw was used for the proximate analysis and different browsing/grazing animals in the experimental area are given in Table 3.

 

Table 1: Ingredients of experimental ration(a), chemical composition of experimental ration (b).

(a) Ingredients (%)	Exp ration	(b) Parameters (%)	Exp ration
Wheat bran	24	CP	18.06
Molasses	14	ME (Mcal/kg DM)	2.41
Maize grain	9	DM	90.32
Rape seed cake	6	ADF	14.41
Cotton seed cake	25	NDF	29.09
Corn gluten 30%	20	TDN	70
Salt	1
DCP	1

 

Table 2: Mean milk yield, composition and acidity of Marecha She-camel at CBRS Rakh Mahni Bhakkar, Punjab.

Parameters	Early lactating and non pregnant	End Lactating and pregnant
Milk yield (liters)	7.06±0.2a	6.33±0.25b
Fat (%)	4.28±0.08a	3.66±0.09b
Protein (%)	3.58±0.07a	3.42±0.08b
Lactose (%)	4.89±0.06a	5.22±0.08b
SNF (%)	9.36±0.07a	8.77±0.08b
Total Solids (%)	13.62±0.18a	12.54±0.16b
Density (%)	1.25±0.07a	1.42±0.06b

 

Means having different superscript are significantly different (P≤0.05).

 

Milk sampling and laboratory analysis

Milk yield (morning and evening) was recorded and measured in liters while samples of milk were composed one time during a week and from which were composed for a month. All composed samples were examined in duplicated form. Hygienic bottles made up of plastic used for sample collection to transport them into the dairy lab; CBRS (Camel Breeding and Research Station) at Rakh Mahni and for analysis. The determination of milk composition included protein, lactose, fat, solids not fat (SNF), total solids, and acidity were assessed by means of Milky Lab Analyzer.

Different type of forage plants used for browsing/grazing include kikar, beri, phulai, siras, khagal, jand, dhaman, bhakra, kali bui, khawi, persain, kari, karir, phog, laana, and khar laana. The gram straw and forage species available for grazing/browsing were studied for percent ether extract, dry matter, crude fiber, crude, ash and protein (AOAC, 1997). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and Acid detergent fiber (ADF) were also calculated (Van Soest et al., 1991).

Statistical analysis

Data were compiled in Microsoft Excel and it was the 2010 version of Microsoft Office. Then data was prepared for statistical analysis to the analysis of variance by using SPSS software. Tukey’s test will be used at 0.05 significance level for comparing the variances among the treatment means (Steel et al., 1997).

Results and Discussion

Milk yield

The mean value of milk yield remained to be 7.06±0.2 and 6.33±0.25 in early lactating with non-pregnant (G1) and end lactating with pregnant (G2) group animals (Table 2). The difference between the values between G1 and G2 was found to be significant (P<0.05).

 

Table 3: Proximate analysis (%) of crop residue and different grazing/browsing species.

Feed/ Forage species	DM	EE	CP	NDF	CF	Crude ash	ADF
Phulai (Acacia modesta)	53.40	02.21	13.23	46.60	35.40	06.94	28.78
Gram Straw (Cicer arientinum)	93.53	02.60	09.72	68.70	44.40	07.83	47.60
Beri leaves (Ziziphus mauritiana)	40.20	05.77	15.52	48.30	28.02	08.48	26.90
Kikar (Acacia nilotica)	28.50	01.79	16.71	55.40	25.08	05.94	25.40
Jand (Prosopis cineraria)	46.15	06.52	16.86	47.50	19.14	04.95	29.00
Siras (Albizia labbek)	37.30	06.58	16.17	43.00	27.25	16.33	29.00
Khagal (Tamarix aphylla)	31.90	03.25	12.81	42.40	17.32	13.03	31.60
Dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris)	31.90	03.94	14.69	38.53	26.51	15.71	18.15
Persain (Suaeda fruticosa)	30.30	05.52	10.57	48.70	33.14	07.54	27.60
Khawi (Cymbopogon schoenanthus)	34.60	02.01	09.53	62.10	35.67	07.14	43.50
Kari (Capparis spinosa)	36.70	17.84	17.84	01.18	30.75	51.80	33.50
Kali Bui (Kochia indica)	33.78	04.91	10.80	58.6	27.61	13.32	39.76
Phog (Calligonam polygonoides)	34.70	08.95	8.95	4.82	23.42	49.60	31.90
Bhakra (Tribulus terrestris)	32.10	08.76	8.76	4.58	32.63	46.70	35.40
Laana (Haloxylon salincornicum)	34.20	15.85	15.85	3.09	32.33	51.34	37.50
Khar Laana (Haloxylon recurvum)	47.90	12.36	12.36	3.32	24.95	49.20	31.30
Karir (Capparis decidua)	49.40	16.75	16.75	1.52	24.64	53.60	37.80

 

DM, dry matter; EE, ether extract; CP, crude protein; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; CF, crude fiber; ADF, acid detergent fiber (Adapted from Faraz, 2021).

 

Different experiments showed that lactation stages, farm, and range conditions influence milk production. Sahani et al. (1998) showed in their results that during the 6th month of lactation, the milk yield of camels was at its peak in a farm environment and the maximum production was noted in range conditions during the 5th month of lactation (Field, 1979). Raziq et al. (2010) reported that the milk production and yield potential of the white Kohi dromedary camel of Balochistan, Pakistan was affected by age and parity. Low milk yield in 1st parity is logical when the camel is at the growing stage and the high nutrients were required for body development while reduction of yield in subsequent parities may be due to a reduction in the quantity as well as the power of milk secreting cells, and overall weakness at an older age of the animal.

Present study results are similar with the outcomes of Kebebew and Baars (1998), Gedlu (1996), and Tezera (1998) who described in Eastern African camels, the range of milk/day from 4.5-7.5 liters in early to the mid-lactation stage with 3rd to 5th parity in pregnant/non-pregnant females although in divergence through the conclusions of Zeleke and Bekele (2001) as they described the range in early to mid-stage of lactation with or without pregnancy as 1.5-3.1 liter/d underneath wide management situations in Ethiopian camels.

Bekele et al. (2002) and Melaku and Fesha (2001) studied the early-mid stage of lactation and 4.14±0.04 kg and 2.5 liters daily milk yield under wide situations in Ethiopian camels. Eisa and Mustafa (2011) studied that 5-10 kg/day is the range for milk in many parities and various stages of lactation in Sudanese camels as. Kamoun and Jemmali (2012) reported the daily milk yield and reported the mean values as 6.72±2.46 liters/day of milk production in different stages of lactation in Tunisian camels. Nagy et al. (2013) studied the milk production under intensive management of dromedary camels in the United Arab Emirates and their results showed mean values of 6.0±0.12 kg of daily milk yield in different lactation stages of animals.

In a comprehensive review of the literature, Khan and Iqbal (2001) reported that a varied range of milk production from 3.50-40 kg/day was at different lactational stages and parity numbers in several breeds of camel in Pakistan. Ali et al. (2009), Ahmad et al. (2010), Farah and Fisher (2004), described the range as 3-10 kg in different parity numbers and stages of lactation for daily milk production of Pakistani camel and this endorsed the outcomes of the current study. Raziq et al. (2010) reported that milk production was affected by the parity number and age of Kohi dromedary camel inhabitants in mountainous areas of Balochistan and their study presented that the average daily milk production was 10.20±0.43 kg. Their study results showed that the daily milk production in 1st parity of 3 camels group was 6 liters with 4.5 years average age, 2nd parity milk production in 9 camels group was 8.8 liters with 7.3 years average age, 3rd parity in 6 camels group of 8.8 years average age was 11.1 liters, in group of 10 camels milk production was 11 liters with 11.4 years average age, 11.7 liters milk production was in 4 camels group with 13.5 years mean age and 11 liters milk production was in 8 camels group with 17.4 years average age raised under extensive managemental situations.

In the current research, Faraz et al. (2020) examined the composition and yield of milk of Barela dromedary camel reared under an extensive management system in Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan, and reported daily milk yield in 3rd to 5th parity was 7.38 liters at initial and mid-stages of lactation. Camels were raised in a traditional pastoral management system and showed a longer lactation period. In another research conducted by Faraz et al. (2018) reported the milk production was 5.62 kg/day of Marecha she-camel in an extensive managemental conditions inhabitant at Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan. These Marecha camels inhabitants at Mankera Tahsil of District Bhakkar were at 3rd to 5th parity as well as at early and mid-lactation stages, and reared under pastoral managemental conditions.

Milk composition

Milk composition and quality were changed for several reasons including genetic, managemental, physiological (body weight, age, stage of lactation), and methods of animal milking (Bencini and Pulina, 1997; Antunac and Havranek, 1999). The milk composition was highly affected by the different lactation stages (Gonzalo et al., 1994; Fuertes et al., 1998; Fenyvessy and Javor, 1999). It is well documented in the literature that milk composition markedly changes all over the year, the consequence of lactation stages on milk value.

Milk ingredients in early lactation and non-pregnant females were notably significant (P<0.05) high as related to end lactation and pregnant she-camels. Rodriguez et al. (1985) reported similar observations as well as in studies by El-Amin (1979). However, these findings are controversial to Auldist et al. (1998), who observed that protein and fat contents were present to be significant and had different effects on the availability of forage in lactating cows. Lucey and Fox (1992) detected poor quality milk in late lactation. These significant changes in milk composition in different lactation stages and pregnancy may be due to season and light to dark ratio (Maria-Levrino and Gabina, 1990). These changes may be a result secretion of prolactin in of greater amount, as its plasma concentration was more in the summer season as compared with the winter season (Tucker, 1989).

Milk composition changes in pregnancy may be because of hormonal variations (Sevi et al., 1999; Hassan, 1995). In the current research, milk density and percentage of lactose were noted to be increased during end-lactating pregnant female camels as compared to non-pregnant females with early lactation. The noticeable decrease of casein contents and milk protein in the late lactation stage might be understood by way of the result of deteriorating health of the udder and also in the light of lactose and fat levels (Sevi et al., 1999).

Fat and protein

Mean values of percentages of milk protein and fat were found to remain 4.28±0.08, 3.66±0.09 and 3.58±0.07, 3.42±0.08 in G1 and G2, respectively (Table 2). The values started to remain highly significant (P<0.05) in different groups. Findings of current research are in line with the results of Khaskheli et al. (2005) and Kappeler et al. (1998) who stated the percentage ranges of protein and fat as 2.40-4.50% and 2.50-5.50%, respectively. These animals were raised under extensive environmental conditions with different parity numbers and stages of lactation. Present findings are dissimilar to the findings of Elamin and Wilcox (1992) as they stated 2.81% protein and 3.15% fat in Majaheem camels milk ininhabitantst Saudi Arabia where they were reared on usual feeding conditions and they were in various lactation stages.

Moreover, Mehaia et al. (1995) stated protein and fat percentages in the milk of Wadah, Majaheim, and Hamra she-camels as 2.91, 3.22; 2.36, 2.46; and 2.52, 2.85, at their mid-lactation. The study of Konuspayeva et al. (2009) included 82 reports as a reference and described the milk protein and fat in camel milk as 3.4±0.62 and 3.8±1.08, respectively. Comprehensive review from 1980 to 2009 of Al-Haj and Al-Kanhal (2010) on dromedary camel and reported averages of protein and fat as 3.1 and 3.5%, respectively. Another scientist, Meiloud et al. (2011) reported protein and fat percentages as 2.5 and 2.9% at different lactation stages on natural grazing of Mauritanian camel milk. Nagy et al. (2013) reported milk production of the dromedary camel breed reared in an intensive managemental environment of United Arab Emirates and their study showed that mean protein and fat concentrations as 2.6±0.01% and 2.5±0.03%, respectively.

Current results are similar to the results of Iqbal et al. (2001) as they described the ranges of protein and fat percentage as 2.50-5.50 in extensive conditions of, she-camels in Pakistan and at various stages of parity and lactation stage. Raziq et al. (2011) reported in their studies collected the milk samples for the composition of 6 female camels in the early and late-stage of lactation of Kohi camel in Balochistan, Pakistan; they sampled in an extensive environment and reported fat and protein percentages as 2.63 and 4.01, respectively. Mal et al. (2006, 2007) described the range in Indian camel’s milk for the percentage of protein and fat as 3.8-3.9 and 2.5-3.3, respectively. Mal and Pathak (2010) described the milk of Indian Bactrian she-camel protein and fat percentages as 5.5 and 3.87%, respectively. Thus, the data that was presented seems to be a comparison with the higher fat and protein values of Marecha and Barela she-camel milk, particularly concerning contents of fat.

Current research of Faraz et al. (2020) studied the milk composition and production of camel breed, Barela dromedary in Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan under extensive management conditions and reported almost the same values of protein and fat percentages as 3.62 and 4.26, respectively in its initial and mid-lactation stages in parities of 3rd to 5th of animals. In another research, Faraz et al. (2018) studied the composition of milk raised under extensive managemental conditions in Marecha female camel in Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan, and described milk protein and fat percentages as 3.42 and 4.44, respectively at initial and mid-stage lactation yield in 3rd, 4th and 5th parities of she-camels.

Milk lactose and density

Mean values of milk lactose and density percentages were found to be 4.89±0.06, 5.22±0.08 and 1.25±0.07, 1.42±0.06 in group 1 and group 2, respectively as shown in Table 2 and difference in the values was significant (P<0.05) in different groups. Present study results are similar with Guliye et al. (2000) who studied the Bedouin camels that a very similar lactose percentage of 4.81 under extensive managemental conditions. Konuspayeva et al. (2009) showed in 82 references from literature data that lactose percentage was 4.46±1.03 in camels. Al-Haj and Al-Kanhal (2010) described the averages of lactose which was 4.4% on dromedary camels from 1980-2009 in their comprehensive review.

The averages for the lactose percentage were calculated as 4.9±0.6% at different lactation stages grazed on natural resources in the milk of Mauritanian camel (Meiloud et al., 2011). Nagy et al. (2013) described that the mean value of the concentration of lactose was 4.03±0.03 in the milk of dromedary she-camels reared in intensive managemental environment in United Arab Emirates. The percentage of milk lactose was calculated as 4.16% at different stages of lactation and these animals were reared on regular feed in Majaheem camels in Saudi Arabia (Elamin and Wilcox, 1992). The lactose percentage in the milk was 4.46% in Hamra, 4.43% in Majaheem, and 4.44% in Wadah, respectively, mainly at a mid-lactation stage in Saudi Arabia (Mehaia et al., 1995). Lactose percentage was reported by Yagil and Etzion (1980) as 4.6 in dehydrated camels.

Iqbal et al. (2001) and Khan and Iqbal (2001) described in their study results as the lactose percentage for milk ranged from 3.0 to 5.50% in different stages of parity and lactation in semi-intensive and extensive managemental conditions in dromedary camels of Pakistan. In a very recent study about milk production and composition under extensive managemental conditions of Barela dromedary she-camel in Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan by Faraz et al. (2020) reported that the percentage of lactose remained almost the same at 4.84 during the 3-5 parity in initial and mid stage of lactation in animals.

While in another study, Faraz et al. (2018) described the lactose percentage as 4.8%, a very close value to the milk of Marecha camel during 3-5 parity and its early and mid-lactation stages of animals that were reared under extensive managemental conditions in Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan. Thus, compared to protein and fat contents, the variations in components of lactose in camel milk during various conditions seem inferior. Furthermore, variations during lactation stages are not as significant as for protein and fat (Musaad et al., 2013).

Total solids and solids not fat

The averages of milk total solids, and SNF percentages were noted as 9.36±0.07, 8.77±0.08 and 13.62±0.18, 12.54±0.16 in G1 and G2, respectively (Table 2). The values significantly (P<0.05) differed among all groups of animals. Elamin and Wilcox (1992) reported in 81 milk samples of Majaheem camel that the lesser values with 10.95% total solids and 7.8% SNF and animals were fed with a usual diet calculated at several lactation stages in Saudi Arabia. Mehaia et al. (1995) reported that percentages of total solids and SNF in camel’s milk were 11.35% and 8.13% in Majaheem, 10.07% and 7.61% in Wadah, 10.63% and 7.78% in Hamra, respectively throughout the mid-lactation stage in Saudi Arabia. The average value of total solids was 11.9% in the complete review described by Al-Haj and Al-Kanhal (2010).

Aljumah et al. (2012) described the Physico-chemical superiority in the milk yield of camel and their results showed that the range for SNF and total solids were 5.56-8.29g and 7.76-12.13 /100gm. Meiloud et al. (2011) showed in their results that average values for total solids and SNF as 11.80 ± 1.00 and 8.88 ± 0.08 at several lactation stages on usual browsing in the milk of Mauritanian camel. Nagy et al. (2013) reported milk yield under intensive managemental conditions of dromedary camels in United Arab Emirates and their reports showed that the mean values of concentrations of solids not fat and total solids as 7.56±0.03 and 9.98±0.03%, respectively.

The outcomes of the current research are in line with the results of Iqbal et al. (2001) and Khan and Iqbal (2001) whose reports showed the range for total solids and SNF in the milk of camels was 11.5-17.8% and 8.9-14.3%, respectively. In very fresh research, Faraz et al. (2020) observed the milk composition and yield of Barela dromedary she-camel reared under general managemental environment in Thal area of Punjab, Pakistan and their report showed at 3rd to 5th parity of milking animals that almost the same values of percentages for total solids and SNF as 13.28 and 9.02, respectively during early and mid-lactation stages. While another study was conducted on Marecha camel breed’s milk, total solids and SNF were 13.38 and 8.96 percent with 3-5 parity animals in Thal area at initial and mid stage lactation (Faraz et al., 2018). Mal et al. (2006, 2007) conducted a study on Indian camel’s milk and the results showed that the ranges of percentages for total solids and SNF as 9.85-11.45 and 7.25-8.25, respectively in different parity numbers and lactation stages. Percentages of total solids and SNF were found to be 14.68%, and 9.18% respectively in the milk of Indian Bactrian she-camel as reported by (Mal and Pathak, 2010).

Conclusions and Recommendations

The Marecha camels are good milk producers in their natural habitat and their milk value assessed in the present research is verified to be outstanding, containing higher amount of fat, protein, and lactose. The result showed that physiological conditions like the stage of lactation and pregnancy have a weighty effect on milk composition and production. The milk production was considered to be higher in non-pregnant and early lactating females than in end lactating and pregnant females. This might be due to a decrease in potency and number of milk secreting cells, and overall weaker because of advancement in pregnancy as the nutritional requirements and availability may compromise with the fetal extra nutritional needs. So, it is recommended that optimum feeding supplementation should be provided for the lactating and pregnant females which is mostly not done in the field conditions. The outcomes of current research about the milk yield and quality prove that these might be used in superior food animals which might be a key part of the food safety and countrywide livelihood of the country population.

Acknowledgments

The financial help extended by Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan under NRPU Project No. 9977 is gratefully acknowledged.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest

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