Normal values and seasonal differences in the serum concentration of vitamin Aand beta-carotene in the Iranian camel (Camelus dromedarius)

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A which is found in different tissuesand organs plays a particular role in detecting clinical signs invarious deficiency conditions. However, sometimes the marginaldeficiency is present in a way that clinical signs are not visible butperformance defects, such as infertility is seen. OBJECTIVES: Inthis study, the normal baseline levels of vitamin Aand β-carotene inclinically healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Yazdprovince were investigated. METHODS: A total of 168 Iraniancamels of both sexes were sampled from February 2009 to July2010. Spectrophoto-metry was used for measuring the serumvalues. RESULTS: The mean±SE concentration of vitamin Aand β-carotene were 63.9±4.7 and 9±1.1 μg/dL, respectively. Although,the β-carotene concentr-ation was significantly higher in summer,vitamin Awas not influenced by season. No significant differencein the serum levels of the measured parameters was observed indifferent ages and sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study,for the first time, indicate the concentration of vitamin A and β-carotene in the camels in Iran. This finding can be used as a referenceguide for evaluation of the deficiency or excess of vitamin Aand β-carotene in camels in Iran. Furthermore, due to the lower levels ofvitamin A and β-carotene in Iranian dromedaries during winter,supplementary feeding of vitamin A is recommended during thisseason.