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Camel is belonging to camelidas family. It is reared in arid and desert areas where it is characterized by a seasonal sexual activity and low productivity. However, IGF system plays an important role in reproduction and production of mammels. This work aimed to investigate validation of several techniques to measure Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) and Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) and to purify IGFBP-3 in she-camel. Then, sexual function and body weight of the female as well as growth rate of calf were investigated in relation to IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Results show that our radioimmunoassay method is a useful technique to measure IGF-1 in camel blood and nutrition is a potential modulator of this hormone. Three distinct bands of IGFBPs were revealed by Western ligand blotting technique and identified as IGFBP-3, -2 and -1. In basic buffer, IGFBP-3 formed a stable complex with albumin which limit its purification. In the beginning of reproduction season, sexua l activity of female is low. Mating occurred before December did not induce ovulation suggesting a limited follicular activity. In full sexual season, a weak episodic increase of oestradiol-17b was observed. The progesterone secretion profile was typical for this species. The basal level of luteinizing hormone (LH) varied with physiologic states. Mating induced preovulatory discharge of LH. IGF-1 is implicated in the reproduction of the female camel. It increases before fertilization and decreases during the first 2 months of gestation. Nutrition level of the female affected the birth and the body weight gain of the camel calf. Undernutrition during the last months of gestation decreases rate of body weight gain and increases loss of body weight of dams. Plasma IGF-1 concentration varied with nutrition status of camel. Adult animals with good condition score, as well as calves had higher IGF-1 concentrations. IGFBP-3 varied similarly to IGF-1 but it was relatively more concentrate in b lood of supplemented animals. As servant for other farm animals, body condition score can be used as an effective management for enhancing reproductive performance of the female camel.

Camels --- Camels --- females --- females --- Fertility --- Fertility --- Insulin --- Insulin --- pH --- pH --- Feeding level --- Feeding level --- Food consumption --- Food consumption --- Dromedaries --- Dromedaries