Some studies on milk production and its composition in Maghrebi she-camel under farming and traditional pastoral systems in Egypt

Abstract EN

This study aimed to determine the effect of management systems (farming and traditional pastoral system) and parity order on milk yield and composition of lactating Maghrebi camel.

Total of forty lactating she-camels (Camelus dromedarius), (aging 5–12 years, weighing 370-590 kg, and between the first and eighth parities) were divided into two system groups (Farming and pastoral, 20 in each).

Each of farming or pastoral group was divided into four sub groups according to their parity, including 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8parities, 5 animals in each.

The obtained results revealed that overall mean of udder depth and circumference were higher (P < 0.05) in farm than pastoral system.

Udder length showed (P < 0.05) an opposite trend, but udder width was not affected by management system.

Overall mean of all udder measurements showed increase (P < 0.05) by advancing parity.

Effect of interaction between management system and animal parity on all udder measurements was not significant.

Effect of management system on all teat measurements and milk vein diameter was not significant.

However, these measurements increased (P < 0.05) by advancing parity.

Effect of interaction between management system and animal parity on all teat measurements and milk vein diameter was not significant.

Overall mean of IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations in colostrum of camels did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) under both management systems.

Concentration of IgG and IgA increased (P < 0.05), while IgM insignificantly increased by advancing parity.

Effect of interaction between management system and parity on immunoglobulin concentrations was not significant.

Daily or total milk yield was higher (P < 0.001) under farming more than pastoral system by about 26.12 and 13.41%, respectively.

Fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solids not-fat contents attained significantly higher values in milk of farming than in pastoral system.

However, ash content showed an opposite (P < 0.001) trend.

Daily and total milk yield and its composition significantly increased by advancing parity.

The interaction between management system and parity was not significant on milk yields and milk composition.

Under pastoral system milk showed significantly higher contents of Na and K and significantly lower P and Mg than farm system.

Milk Ca and chlorine contents were not affected by management system.

By advancing animal parity, Ca and P contents increased (P < 0.05) up to 7-8 parities, while Na and K increased (P < 0.05) up to 5-6 and 3-4 parities, respectively.

Yet, Mg and chlorine contents were not affected significantly by parity.

The interaction between management and parity was highly significant (P < 0.001) only on K and P, reflecting different trend of change in K and P contents in camels under farm and pastoral system by advancing parity.

This study could be recommended to increase awareness of the nomads about the importance of the effect of feeding system and parity on yield and nutritive value of camel milk produce for human consumption or suckling their newborns