Is water restriction a stress for camels (Camelus dromedarius)?

Four female camels were maintained on camelot system under shade with a standard diet. Drinking water was withheld and blood was taken from jugular vein every morning for 14 days to measure the haematocrits and serum cortisol level. Drinking water was then given ad libitum and rehydration values were recorded at 1\2, 1 and 2 hours interval. Camels were weighed before and after the dehydration. There was a mean decline of 20% in the body weight. The haematocrit rose and fell down throughout the period of water restriction. Camels with biggest loss of body weight had the highest serum cortisol concentration, even when drinking water was readily available. It was concluded that 14 days of dehydration did not cause a great stress in the camels.