The influence of season and sex on rumen fluid and hematobiochemical constituents of Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Egypt

Alpaca ( Vicugna pacos ) is a South American camelid that was introduced recently to Egypt and considered a zoo animal in different country zoos. There are no available data regarding the normal values of rumen fluid and hematobiochemical constituents of alpacas bred in Egypt. The aim of this study was to estimate normal values for rumen fluid and blood constituents of alpaca and determine the influence of season and sex on these parameters under Egyptian circumstances. The study was conducted on seventeen (8 female and 9 male); 2–6 years apparently healthy alpacas. Rumen fluid and blood samples were taken from each animal (from August 2022 to February 2023) and divided into summer and winter samples. Rumen fluid constituents were influenced by seasonal changes and showed a significant ( p