Effects of pregnancy and body condition score on the reference values of 25 hydroxy vitamin D in one humped female camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining calcium and phosphorus balance in the body and it also plays significant non-calcemic roles, including immune modulation and antioxidant functions. Despite its importance, there is limited research on the reference values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in one-humped camels and its associations with various factors such as age, sex, dietary habits, pregnancy status, and body condition score, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters. This study was conducted to determine the reference values of serum 25(OH)D in camels and to investigate its relationships with some of these variables. A total of 86 healthy female camels from the Zirkuh area of South Khorasan Province, Iran, were enrolled in the study. After evaluating their general health through hematological and biochemical assessments, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using the ELISA method. The results indicated a median serum concentration of 500.89 ng/ml, with a 2.5% percentile of 195.5 ng/ml and a 97.5% percentile of 1191.32 ng/ml. Notably, no significant correlations were found between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and most hematological and biochemical indices. However, a significant direct relationship was observed between serum 25(OH)D and white blood cell count, lymphocyte numbers, and serum AST levels, while an inverse relationship was noted with body condition score, serum albumin, and serum calcium (p < 0.05). These findings provide valuable insights into the role of vitamin D in camel health and highlight the need for further research to optimize management practices in camel husbandry.