DefinePK

Abstract

This study was designed to retrospectively report and analyze different cosmetic methods detected for tampering in dromedary camels that were presented for the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival (KACF). The medical records of 53090 camels (Camelus dromedarius) were retrospectively evaluated from February 4th, 2019 to January 12th, 2023 during the events of the 3rd to 7th seasons of the beauty shows of the KACF. Camels having different forms of tampering were examined by inspection primarily. Following, suspected camels were screened by diagnostic imaging including ultrasound, thermography and radiography, and by laboratory evaluation of testosterone and growth hormones. During the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th KACF seasons, 11912, 11526, 4635, 12634, and 12385 camels were respectively examined and 4 main methods for tampering were detected. It included injection of cosmetic fillers, stretching and binding of lips and injection of hormones. The pattern of filler injection was increased from counted 0.126 % camels in the 3rd season to reach 0.606% camels during the 7th KACF activities and showed significant difference among various seasons (?2 Value=111.258; P<0.001). Stretching of lips was also increased from only 0.034% cases at the 3rd to 2.212% camels at the 7th season (?2 Value=526.355; P<0.001). In a similar pattern, binding of lips was increased from 0.025% camels during the 3rd to 0.525% camels during the 7th season (?2 Value=129.906; P<0.001). Uses of hormones were also increased sharply from 0.008% camels at the 3rd to 0.129% camels during the 7th season. Collectively, overall tampering methods were increased from counted 0.193% camels in the 3rd season to reach 3.496% camels during the 7th KACF activities and showed significant difference among various seasons (?2 Value=508.898; P<0.001). In conclusion, a dramatic increase in tampering ways in dromedary camels presented to the KACF were noted. Therefore, a great challenge should be paid to the diagnosis of these methods that harm this creature, and even may cause undesirable permanent complications. Attention should also be paid to the new cosmetic methods that are discovered annually in camel beauty contests.