Camelid and Exotic Repro Flashcards
When are domestic camelids typically mated?
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
T/F: camelids do not typically display signs of overt estrus
True
-they are receptive to males on most occasions, but will only cush in estrus
What is unique about the ovulation of camelids?
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
What is the protein in the seminal plasma of males that will trigger the LH surge?
Nerve growth factor beta
-trauma and inflammation in uterus after copulation allows this protein to enter bloodstream and trigger LH surge
How long does copulation last in camelids?
Usually around 40 minutes minimum
When do camelid usually get teased again after breeding?
At day 7,14, and 21
-to determine if pregnant. If shes not receptive, schedule for ultrasound
What can pseudopregnancies cause in camelids?
Bad behavior
By what method is insemination usually achieved in alpacas?
Hand mating
How long is the gestation length of alpacas?
240 days +/- 5 days
-prolonged pregnancy is a common complaint
-do not induce unless medically justified (fetal or maternal distress)
In what horn are most camelid pregnancies?
98% in the left horn, but there is an equal distribution of ovulations between the right and left ovaries
-important when planning C sections
What are the common causes of abortions in camelids?
Abortions are rare in general
- can be caused by BVDV, EHV-1, EAV, Chlamydophila, campylobacter, toxoplasma, neospora
-twins
When should you intervene in the case of a dystocia?
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
When do uterine torsions usually occur? How can you treat?
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
What other species has the same type of placenta as camelids?
Horses!
-they have a diffuse epitheliocortical placentation
-should examine postpartum
When is a camelids placenta considered retained?
-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)
Describe the normal fetal processing (neonatal care) of crias
-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
What is the most common deformity in newborn alpacas?
Choanal atresia
Describe the US deer industry
-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)
How many species of cervids exist?
around 40
-there is variability in repro physiology
-onset of puberty can be anywhere from 6-18 months depending on species
T/F: species of northern temperate origin are seasonally polyestrous and short day breeders
True
-though tropical species can cycle year round
Which species of deer is monoovulatory with delayed implantation?
Roe deer
-they breed in july, but can implant months later
-causes gestation length to vary a lot
What occurs in the summer, vs spring vs autumn/winter with the bucks antler cycle?
- 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
When do bucks have the highest estradiol levels?
In march, opposite on testosterone which is highest at this time peropd
How is semen collected in bucks?
They are immobilized (usually with telazol and xylazine) and electroejaculated
- have to manually pull penis out
When is semen quality the highest in bucks?
December
-lowers off in march
During what month are you more likely to see pink tinged seminal plasma?
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
When is the testicle size of bucks the largest?
In september
-much smaller than other species (20 cm at peak)
-associated with higher sperm output
What is a really good way to make money in cervid production?
Get good at flushing testicles
-people will collect testicles and ship overnight
Can you take the semen from a wild deer and use it in domestic deer?
No law against it, so yes
T/F: testicular size can be used as an indicator of sperm output and as a predictor of sub or infertility in cervids
True
How long is the estrous cycle in cervids?
18-24 days
-often have short cycles in early season with no overt estrus
What are the common estrus behaviors in cervids?
increased activity, proceptive behaviors terminated by copulation (makes male more successful)
Describe the synchronization protocol for cervids
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
What is the reccomended doses for laproscopic AI in cervids?
2-4 million sperm per dose for laproscopic AI (70-100% success)
-for transcervical you need 10-20 million (20-30% success)
What is the normal gestation length in cervids?
Varies by species, anywhere from 200-290 days
How should you diagnose pregnancy in cervids?
Transrectal ultrasound (due to shoot system)
What are the main goals of deer breeding?
-trophy hunting portions are a major portion of industry
-goal is to increase male to female offspring
-can be accomplished through sex sorted semen
