Eight healthy 5-10 years aged female one humped camels (Camclus dromedarius) were used to run at mid-day either for one hour or for two hours during summer (August) and during winter
(January). Respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST) and coat temperature (CT) were recorded just per-exercise, just after exercise and after one, two and three «hours of rest. Blood samples were collected at the same schedule for the determination of glucose, urea and total protein concentrations and alkaline phosphatase and aspartate and alanine aminotransferases enzymes activities. In addition, hemoglobin concentration, packed cells volume and red blood cells, white blood cells and leukocytes differential counts were also evaluated.
Exercised camels revealed slight elevations in RT, ST and CT as compared to that in RR. This may reflect that camels tended to maintain their body temperature under muscular activity stress relatively close to that at rest by activation of evaporative cooling mechanisms through respiratory tract and skin. The onset of exercise is followed by rapid glycogenolysis in the liver cells that causes some cellular impairment as indicated by prolonged elevation in glucose and enzymes activities following exercise and through rest hours.
Exercised camels revealed prolonged elevations in blood urea and total protein concentration. Splenic contraction followed the onset of exercise as indicated by marked elevations in RBCs, hemoglobin concentration and packed cells volume. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, eosinophilia and monocytosis occurred following the onset of exercise. In general, racing at mid-day during summer may affect the camels greater than during winter.