Camelid Therio: Male Flashcards
Anatomy of the male reproductive system
No seminal vesicles
Testes small in the perineal region
Sigmoid flexure cranial to the scrotum
When do male camelids reach puberty
Free from prepuce @ 2 yrs
Spermatogenesis 18 mon
Breeding age 2-3 yrs
When do they reach sexual maturity
4-5 yrs
Possible congenital/ hereditary conditions
Heart murmurs
Crooked tails (won’t be registered), polydactyla, syndactyla, blue eyes
Signs of contagious diseases
Mange*
Cornybacterium pseudotuberculosis abscessses
Resp. viral diseases (coronavirus, BVDV)
Prepuce
Directed caudally in abscence of erection
Abnormalities: skin lesions (mange), swelling and prolapse
Penis examination
Complaints (anesthesia/ sedation): severe swelling, paraphimosis (skin can’t move back up), phimosis (can’t be pulled down), abnormal preputial discharge, presistant frenulum
Scrotal/ testicular examination
Scrotum (trauma, lesions/ dermatitis, edema)
Testes (presence @ birth, symmetry)
Testes palpation (freely movable form scrotum, smooth surface)
Testicular measurements
Length x width (cm) for llamas and alpacas
Testicular ultrasound
Lesions not always palpable
Normal: homogenous parenchyma, hyperechoic rate testis (mediastinum tests)
Semen collection
Post coital aspiration (easy, need receptive female)***
Electroejaculation (gen anesthesia and skills)
Artificial vagina (need training of animal)
Semen evaluation (motility)
Oscillatory movement before liquefaction
Progressive motility after liquefaction
How is semen liquified?
With enzymatic treatment of papain and collagenase
What makes semen evaluation difficult?
Viscosity
Common emergencies
Preputial swelling or scrotal/ testicular enlargement
Common camelid complaints with infertility
Congenital abnormalities
Azoospermia/ oligozoospermia
Tetrazoospermia
Ages for castration
12-15 months for alpacas
15-18 months for llamas
Methods for castration
General anesthesia for alpacas: ketamine, xylazine and butorphanol
Standing for llamas: butorphanol
Complications of castration
Rare (hemorrhage, infection)
Older males can still have male behavior with erection
Cyrptorchdism
Tests in scrotum at birth
If testes not descended @ 6 months (remain retained)
Most commonly left side
Testicle found in abdomen or at vaginal ring
How do you diagnose cryptorchidism?
Ultrasound
HCG stimulation test
AMH
Cryptorchidism technique
Parainguinal
Laprscopic
Differentials of preputial swelling
Preputial prolapse (masturbation against ground)
Preputial adhesions/ abscesses (trauma, poor)
Trauma/ hematoma
Urolithiasis
Urethral rupture
Common causes of infertility in camelids
Testicular degeneration
Bilateral congenital testicular hypoplasia
Rte testis cysts
Bilateral epididymal/ vascular deferens aplasia
Testicular degeneration
Heat stress (>30C)
Fever
>9 years
Trauma/ inflammatory disorders
Chronic debilitating diseases
What nutritional deficiencies cause testicular degeneration
Severe weight loss
Selenium
Zinc
Testicular cysts
Between the head of the epididymus and the testicle
Intratesticular
Dx: ultrasound
Differentials of scrotal/ testicular enlargement
Heat stress: hydrocele
Trauma (hematoma)
Inflammatory process: orchitis
Neoplasia
How do you treat scrotal/ testicular enlargement
Hydrocele: medical management
Unilateral castration
