Sonographic monitoring of early follicle growth induced by melatonin implants in camels and the subsequent fertility.

The present study examined the effect of melatonin implants on follicle growth in dromedary camels two months ahead of their natural breeding season (December to March). Female camels (n = 6) were treated with melatonin implants at the dose rate of 1 implant per 28 kg body weight sc. Control camels (n = 6) were administered an SC placebo implant of 8 ml vitamin A. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed at weekly interval upto 7 weeks. Camels were mated with virile stud when a follicle (≥10 mm) was visible on either of the ovaries. Blood was collected on day 7, 9, 15, 20, 25 and 30 for assay of plasma progesterone and sonography performed at the same time. Small follicles (2-3 mm) appeared around the periphery of ovaries in 83.3% of camels by day 7 and in 100% camels by day 14. By the end of 7th week an ovulatory size follicle (≥1.0 cm) could be observed in 83.3% of treated camels, and these camels were mated with virile studs. In control group, small follicles appeared at the periphery of ovaries only in 66.6% camels but did not progress in growth except in one camel (16.6%) however, ovulating size (≥10 mm) follicle was not observed in any camel by the end of 7th week. All treated camels ovulated and one treated camel became pregnant while early embryonic death occurred in one camel. Non-pregnant camels of both groups were mated during the breeding season. All camels of treatment group and 33.33% camels of control group became pregnant by the end of breeding season (April 2010). It was concluded that melatonin implants can augment the follicle growth in lactating camels ahead of the breeding season and pregnancy can occur on mating. Fertility of treated camels during the breeding season is improved.