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

Abstract:background: vitamin a which is found in different tissues and organs plays a particular role in detecting clinical signs in various deficiency conditions. however, sometimes the marginal deficiency is present in a way that clinical signs are not visible but performance defects, such as infertility is seen. objectives: in this study, the normal baseline levels of vitamin a and b-carotene in clinically healthy camels (camelus dromedarius) in the yazd province were investigated. methods: a total of 168 iranian camels of both sexes were sampled from february 2009 to july 2010. spectrophoto-metry was used for measuring the serum values. results: the mean±se concentration of vitamin a and b-carotene were 63.9±4.7 and 9±1.1 µg/dl, respectively. although, the b-carotene concentr-ation was significantly higher in summer, vitamin a was not influenced by season. no significant difference in the serum levels of the measured parameters was observed in different ages and sexes. conclusions: the results of this study, for the first time, indicate the concentration of vitamin a and b-carotene in the camels in iran. this finding can be used as a reference guide for evaluation of the deficiency or excess of vitamin a and b-carotene in camels in iran. furthermore, due to the lower levels of vitamin a and b-carotene in iranian dromedaries during winter, supplementary feeding of vitamin a is recommended during this season.