Alpaca reproduction

Question 1

Age of onset of puberty in camelids?

Answer 1

6mo-1yo (highly dependent on b.w.)

Question 2

What is the ideal joining weight for a camelids 1st mating?

Answer 2

66% of mature b.w. = 45kg @ 1yo

Question 3

What is unique about alpaca ovulation?

Answer 3

Induced ovulators (like cats)

Question 4

How frequent are new waves of ovarian follicular growth in alpacas?

Answer 4

New wave each 12-22 days, year round (non-seasonal breeders)

- overlap of 1-4 days between waves

Question 5

What are some signs of oestrus in an alpaca?

Answer 5

No overt signs - only submission to a macho

Question 6

how does the level of sperm production in machos compare to other domestic livestock? Why?

Answer 6

Less sperm produced - small testes (>4cm long), held close to body

Question 7

What type of penis do machos possess?

Answer 7

Fibroelastic type (sigmoid flexure responsible for penile retraction)

Question 8

What accessory sex glands to machos possess? What does each contribute to seminal fluid?

Answer 8

Bulbourethral glands x2 (viscous mucin)
Prostate gland

No seminal vesicle > low ejaculate V (1mL)

Question 9

What is unique about copulation in alpacas?

How long does the process normally take?

Answer 9

Conducted in sitting position + induces OV

~20 mins

Question 10

Where is semen deposited in natural mating in alpacas?

Answer 10

Intra-cornual

Question 11

What min size must a follicle be in alpacas to OV?
When does OV occur wrt mating?
When post-mating is the CL considered mature?

Answer 11

≥ 6mm on ovary
OV 26hrs post-mating
Mature CL 3d post-mating

Question 12

how long until luteolysis occurs post-mating if no conception occurs?

Answer 12

9-11 days post-mating

Question 13

What is a spit-off test? When does this response occur?

Answer 13

Spit-off = female alpaca strongly rejects macho presence in a pen by spitting, kicking, squealing, running away etc.

Occurs when a CL is present on the ovary = high P4 (≥2ng/mL)

Question 14

What are the key events involving the conceptus following conception, & when do they occur (post-mating)?

Answer 14

Fertilisation (d0)
Hatched blastocyst enters uterus (d6-7)
Embryo elongation (d10-12)
Implantation (d18-20)

Question 15

What is the P4 sources & at what stages during alpaca pregnancy?

Answer 15

CL is the main source through whole pregnancy - luteolysis > termination

Question 16

Where are the majority of pregancies implanted within the uterus? whY?

Answer 16

98% in L uterine horn dt differential blood supplies

- despite 50/50 ratio of L/R OV

Question 17

What is the gestation length of an alpaca pregnancy?

What factors may affect this length?

Answer 17

342 days

• Longer in spring (348 d)
• Shorter in autumn (340 d)

Question 18

Are twins common or rare in alpacas? why?

Answer 18

rare - multiple OV only account for 5-10% of OV’s

Question 19

What type of placenta is present in alpaca pregancies?

What is unique about the alpaca placenta?

Answer 19

Epitheliochorial diffuse microcotyledonary

Epidermal membrane = extra foetal membrane (layer of epidermal cells covering foetus)

Question 20

What methods for pregnancy Dx in alpacas + when are they possible?

Answer 20

Indirect methods = sexual behaviour (spit off), blood/milk P4

US for foetal heart beat (≥d25)
Rectal palp (≥d35)
Transabdo ballottement (≥8mo)

Question 21

Normal durations of each stage of alpaca labor

Answer 21

Stage I = 1.5-4hrs
Stage II = 30-45mins
Stage III = 1-4 hrs (RFM > 6h)

Question 22

When does cyclicity resume post-parturition?

How long does uterine involution take?

Answer 22

Cyclicity = 5-7d post-unpacking
Involution = 20d (rapid dt microcotyledonary placenta)

Question 23

Protocol for management of alpaca breeding/pregnancy

Answer 23

1st breeding = 65% mature b.w./≥12mo old
Subsequent breedings = 15-20d post-unpacking (if no complications)
Breed once when receptive

Spit-off (CL check) @ 7d (OV)/14d (pregnancy)
Spit-off every 2-4wks until US pregnancy Dx (d30+60)
Spit-off intermittently from d60-term

Failure to spit off > seek help, likely luteolysis

Question 24

M:F ratios for alpacas

Joining period length

Answer 24

3-4% M

4 week joining period