Camelid Reproduction

Question 1

when do SA and NA camelids breed first time?

Answer 1

NA - 1-1.5

SA - 2-3 (double)

Question 2

Seasonality of reproduction

Answer 2

based on nutrition and environment not phototperiod
NA - non-seasonal
SA - dec to march

Question 3

How is the diestrus uterus and cervix described in the camelid?

Answer 3

curved like a cow

lacking tone

Question 4

Ovulatory follicles are

Answer 4

7-16 mm

Question 5

where are pregancies carried

Answer 5

always in the left horn

Question 6

which is the camelid male repro tract like

Answer 6

the cow –> no vesicular glands, epidid at top of testes, sigmoid flexure

Question 7

What is different about camelids that cause induced ovulation?

Answer 7

regressing follicles may luteinize after breeding causing a short luteal phase,
LH rises in 15 minutes –> peaks in 2-4 hours –> 26-42 hours after mating
It appears as if non-fertile matings and spont ov make a CL, but then gone in 7 days again

Question 8

what % of camelids are spontaneous ovulators

Answer 8

5

Question 9

Does lactation affect camelid estrus?

Answer 9

yes, suppressed LH

Question 10

Dx of pregnancy

Answer 10

P4 levels, because CL dependent for pregnancy
teasing - 85% accurate
rectal palp
ballottement
US

Question 11

Gestation length of llamas and alpaca

Answer 11

345 llama
330 alpaca

Pressure to get them rebred for yearly offspring

Question 12

what is the placentation of camelids?

Answer 12

diffuse microcotyledonary (same as horses)

Question 13

which method of Dx do you use for which days of pregnancy?

Answer 13

14-18 - teasing, P4
18-100 - US transrectal
after 40 days - palp
40-90 - L abd US
>90 - R abd US

Question 14

Parturition in a camelid is…when and with what

Answer 14

usually between 7 and 11 am

with the epidermal membrane - this allows them to be dry under the membrane to not shiver and be cold/wet

Question 15

How soon can they be rebred?

Answer 15

15-20 days post-partum - uterus involuted in 21 and ovulatoryable follicles develop within 4-14 days after.

Question 16

How do induce parturitition in camelids

Answer 16

P4 doesn’t work because it’s there the whole time anyway. so go with PGF2a 2 shots, bid and dexamethasone in late gestation

Question 17

How big is too big on a follicle?

Answer 17

> 15mm - but may not affect new waves.

Question 18

Tx of cystic ovaries

Answer 18

hCG - once

GnRH - 3 tid

Question 19

Causes of metritis and endometritis in camelids

Answer 19

strep zoo, e coli again

overbreeding

Question 20

HOw do you take a biopsy in a camelid?

Answer 20

2 days before, give some ECP
need to sedate
give some lidocaine
wrap tail and wash perineum
go by palp/speculum into the Left uterine horn wall, take sample, then fix it in Bouins, then put in alcohol for 1-2 days

Question 21

How do we treat uterine disease?

Answer 21

lavage it out, then infuse AM (infusion or systemic) and prostaglandins. The prostaglandins actually do quite a lot to help with evacuation.

Question 22

What is a common cause of newborn camelid death?

Answer 22

choanal atresia

Question 23

Non-infectious causes of pregnancy loss in camelids

Answer 23

twins, genetics stuff, hormonal problems, nutrition, stress

Question 24

Infectious causes of pregnancy loss in camelids

Answer 24

Toxo/lepto/chlam
IBR
EHV1
BVD

Question 25

What is a good pasture male to female ratio?

Answer 25

1/30, but alternate because of loss of interest

Question 26

How many alpacas can a male inseminate in a day?

Answer 26

~12

Question 27

What percent motile and normal sperm do camelids have compared to bulls?

Answer 27

25% (80 in bulls) motile
40% (80) normal
generally poor