A note on relationship of plasma thyroxine and triiodothyronine rate to body weight in growing male camels

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and body weight in young Majaheem male camels. Eighteen camels aged 6 to 7 months were divided equally into three groups (Gl, G2 and G3). All groups were given concentrate pellets (187 g crude protein per kg) at the rate of 15 g/kg body weight daily. In addition, each group was given one of the following roughages: lucerne hay to Gl, rhodes grass hay to G2 and ammonia-treated wheat straw to G3. Roughages, salt and water were measured and given ad libitum. Every 2 weeks all camels were weighed and blood samples were collected. Data were statistically analysed using a general linear model procedure. There was a positive correlation between T4 concentration and body weight. T4 was higher in camels given either hay or straw compared with those given rhodes grass hay, while there were no differences among the three groups in T3 and in body weight.