Stress Responses of Dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) with Mandible Fracture

Stress is an unpleasant emotional response to the external and internal stimuli. It causes suffering which is a state of mind that is difficult to measure and analyse in animals. When the pressure from the environment becomes excessive, or in case of psychological threats, new defense mechanisms are initiated, collectively referred to as stress responses. Stress to the body can bring abrupt changes in cortisol levels. Rise in serum cortisol level twice than the normal indicates a stress. Cortisol and glucose are considered important components of physiological stress responses. Ailments affecting bone cover a series of skeletal and soft tissue disorders. Key research endeavors are being completed all over to perk up the presently accessible treatment preferences of fractures and to build up novel plans for the surgical treatment and immediate health management. Mandible fractures are frequent amid dromedaries and generally occur during the breeding period. The majority of mandibular fractures are usually caused by bites and can be repaired by interdental wiring or a U-bar technique. There is a necessity to recognize the task of stress responses in the healing process of the bones so that proper supplementation can be carried out during the healing period and afterwards. In the present investigation healthy and adult male dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) with mandible fracture were investigated. All animals belonged to farmers’ stock from arid tract of Rajasthan, India. The blood samples were analyzed to determine serum cortisol, glucose and biomarkers of oxidative stress viz. peroxidase (PO), oxidase and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). Serum cortisol showed an increase of four fold in affected cases. Serum glucose showed 1.23 fold increase. Among the biomarkers of oxidative stress, the mean values of serum peroxidase (PO), oxidase and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) showed significant increase (p≤0.05) in the cases with mandible fracture. The mean values were 3, 2 and 4 fold higher, respectively in affected cases. It was observed that an association existed between ailment and pattern of variation of the parameters studied. Enhanced cortisol level showed the physiological adjustments to provide greater concentration of fuel molecules in the form of glucose and amino acids. A positive correlation between serum cortisol and serum glucose level confirmed the surmise that stress responses were to help the animal during adverse condition. Higher levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress indicated the development of oxidative stress in the affected animals. Present study provided data which can be used as reference values to assess the extent of stress in the cases like surgical affections. This would be helpful in recommending the appropriate supplements and immune nutrients to the affected animals.