Vitamin D Status in Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of age, season and breed on plasma vitamin D3 concentrations in Sudanese camels (Camelus dromedarius). A total of 1786 camels, of which 1285 were Arabi and 501 were Anafi camels were used in a one-year field survey in Sudan. Plasma vitamin D3 concentrations showed significant seasonal variations, the highest and lowest were detected in February through July and August through July and August through January, respectively. The seasonal reduction of vitamin D3 was significantly greater in neonates and yearling camels. There is an association between plasma vitamin D and season irrespective of age. The correlation coefficients were 0.52, 0.73 and 0.80 for neonate, yearling and adult camels, respectively. Age group did not affect vitamin D3 plasma levels. Owing to the difference in coat colour, Arabi camels have higher vitamin D3 than Anafi irrespective of season.