Camelid and Exotic Repro

Question 1

When are domestic camelids typically mated?

Answer 1

When they have attained 2/3 of their adult weight
-usually around 12 months of age in alpacas and 18 months of age in llamas

Question 2

T/F: camelids do not typically display signs of overt estrus

Answer 2

True
-they are receptive to males on most occasions, but will only cush in estrus

Question 3

What is unique about the ovulation of camelids?

Answer 3

They are induced ovulators like cats
-they require introduction of seminal plasma to induce the LH surge (you can alternatively give GnRH agonist)
-peak LH occurs 2-3 hours of mating, and CL develops at 2-5 days post coitus
-maximum P4 at 7-9 days after mating
-females become nonreceptive in the presence of a CL and increased progesterone

Question 4

What is the protein in the seminal plasma of males that will trigger the LH surge?

Answer 4

Nerve growth factor beta
-trauma and inflammation in uterus after copulation allows this protein to enter bloodstream and trigger LH surge

Question 5

How long does copulation last in camelids?

Answer 5

Usually around 40 minutes minimum

Question 6

When do camelid usually get teased again after breeding?

Answer 6

At day 7,14, and 21
-to determine if pregnant. If shes not receptive, schedule for ultrasound

Question 7

What can pseudopregnancies cause in camelids?

Answer 7

Bad behavior

Question 8

By what method is insemination usually achieved in alpacas?

Answer 8

Hand mating

Question 9

How long is the gestation length of alpacas?

Answer 9

240 days +/- 5 days
-prolonged pregnancy is a common complaint
-do not induce unless medically justified (fetal or maternal distress)

Question 10

In what horn are most camelid pregnancies?

Answer 10

98% in the left horn, but there is an equal distribution of ovulations between the right and left ovaries
-important when planning C sections

Question 11

What are the common causes of abortions in camelids?

Answer 11

Abortions are rare in general
- can be caused by BVDV, EHV-1, EAV, Chlamydophila, campylobacter, toxoplasma, neospora
-twins

Question 12

When should you intervene in the case of a dystocia?

Answer 12

Luckily, dystocia’s are uncommon
-intervene if 1st stage of labor is >6 hours or second stage is >10 min
-maternal causes: failure of cervical dilation and uterine torsion
-fetal causes: fetomaternal disproportion, fetal abnormalities, malpositioning

Question 13

When do uterine torsions usually occur? How can you treat?

Answer 13

Uterine torsions can occur from 8 months to term
-most common cause of colic during late gestation
-treat as in other species: rolling, laparotomy, C section

Question 14

What other species has the same type of placenta as camelids?

Answer 14

Horses!
-they have a diffuse epitheliocortical placentation
-should examine postpartum

Question 15

When is a camelids placenta considered retained?

Answer 15

-after 3 hours (usually retain the whole thing)
-treatment depends on severity and duration (can use oxytocin every 4-5 hours if early on, can add in antibiotics and lavage)

Question 16

Describe the normal fetal processing (neonatal care) of crias

Answer 16

-weigh them, dip navel 3 times over first 24 hours, check for deformities, BOSE injection (0.5 mg alpaca, 1 mg llama), ensure colostrum intake
-crias should be up and nursing within 2 hours, and nursing every 1-2 hours for the first few days
-should double birth weight by 1 month

Question 17

What is the most common deformity in newborn alpacas?

Answer 17

Choanal atresia

Question 18

Describe the US deer industry

Answer 18

-deer farming in US is a 8 billion dollar industry
-sustainability relies on AI (semen cryopreservation, estrous synchronization, AI protocols
-mainly males that people want-sell to deer farms for hunting (no regulations on these private game reserves)

Question 19

How many species of cervids exist?

Answer 19

around 40
-there is variability in repro physiology
-onset of puberty can be anywhere from 6-18 months depending on species

Question 20

T/F: species of northern temperate origin are seasonally polyestrous and short day breeders

Answer 20

True
-though tropical species can cycle year round

Question 21

Which species of deer is monoovulatory with delayed implantation?

Answer 21

Roe deer
-they breed in july, but can implant months later
-causes gestation length to vary a lot

Question 22

What occurs in the summer, vs spring vs autumn/winter with the bucks antler cycle?

Answer 22

• in the summer there is low testosterone, testicular atrophy, antler growth, increased voluntary feed intake, and fat deposition
  -in the autumn/winter, the testosterone and LH increases, antlers mineralize, they shed velvet, they rapidly mobilize fat reserves and decrease feed intake to focus on breeding
  -in the spring testosterone starts decreasing and they shed antlers

Question 23

When do bucks have the highest estradiol levels?

Answer 23

In march, opposite on testosterone which is highest at this time peropd

Question 24

How is semen collected in bucks?

Answer 24

They are immobilized (usually with telazol and xylazine) and electroejaculated
- have to manually pull penis out

Question 24

When is semen quality the highest in bucks?

Answer 24

December
-lowers off in march

Question 24

During what month are you more likely to see pink tinged seminal plasma?

Answer 24

March
-but this is also the month in which you have improved post thaw motility (might be related to accessory sex gland composition). Also really good in december

Question 24

When is the testicle size of bucks the largest?

Answer 24

In september
-much smaller than other species (20 cm at peak)
-associated with higher sperm output

Question 25

What is a really good way to make money in cervid production?

Answer 25

Get good at flushing testicles
-people will collect testicles and ship overnight

Question 26

Can you take the semen from a wild deer and use it in domestic deer?

Answer 26

No law against it, so yes

Question 27

T/F: testicular size can be used as an indicator of sperm output and as a predictor of sub or infertility in cervids

Answer 27

True

Question 28

How long is the estrous cycle in cervids?

Answer 28

18-24 days
-often have short cycles in early season with no overt estrus

Question 29

What are the common estrus behaviors in cervids?

Answer 29

increased activity, proceptive behaviors terminated by copulation (makes male more successful)

Question 30

Describe the synchronization protocol for cervids

Answer 30

14 day CIDR, give prostaglandin when you put in, wait 12-14 days then pull CIDR and give PMSG, wait 60 hours then do timed AI via laproscopic AI

Question 31

What is the reccomended doses for laproscopic AI in cervids?

Answer 31

2-4 million sperm per dose for laproscopic AI (70-100% success)
-for transcervical you need 10-20 million (20-30% success)

Question 32

What is the normal gestation length in cervids?

Answer 32

Varies by species, anywhere from 200-290 days

Question 33

How should you diagnose pregnancy in cervids?

Answer 33

Transrectal ultrasound (due to shoot system)

Question 34

What are the main goals of deer breeding?

Answer 34

-trophy hunting portions are a major portion of industry
-goal is to increase male to female offspring
-can be accomplished through sex sorted semen