Relationship between age, breed, body weight, gestational status and parity on the body condition score of omani breeding camels

Body condition score (BCS) is a qualitative assessment of the quantity of available energy from an animal's fat storage that can be used for reproduction, lactation and is an important herd management tool. There is an association of lower BCS of female camelids to reduced ovarian activity resulting in reduced reproductive efficiency. Therefore, the factors influencing BCS of breeding camels are to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to observe the influence of age, breed, body weight, gestational status and parity on BCS of Omani breeding camels. Unlike results reported for cattle that documented that BCS is influenced by breed, age and body weight, in the present study our preliminary results indicate that in camels BCS is influence primarily by body weight. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in relation to this subject in Oman and elsewhere on breeding camels managed on unified husbandry management.