Camelid Theriogenology Flashcards
What are the 2 major types of Old World Camelids?
- Dromedary - one hump, northern Africa and southwestern Asia
- Bactrian - two humps, deserts of central and east Asia
What are the 2 major types of New World camelids?
- llama and alpaca - domesticated, South America
- vicuna and guanaco - wild, South America
What are 3 unique parts of the anatomy of the female camelid genital tract? How did the male adapt to it?
- papilla connects uterine tubes to horn
- contain a uterine septum
- three cervical spiraling rings
- poorly developed uterine horns, more prominent body
cartilaginous process to traverse cervix
What kind of breeders are camelids? How does their location affect this?
nonseasonal breeders with a nutritional influence
- SOUTH AMERICA - breeding season is December-April, rainy months where food in available
- NORTH AMERICA - breed year-round because food is available, avoid summer breeding because of heat stress
What kind of ovulators are camelids? What is unique about their estrous cycle?
induced ovulators
no distinct estrous cycles –> overlapping follicular waves means they are receptive most of the time regardless of follicular size and low progesterone
What unique mating behavior do camelids take part in?
Cushing - male mounts and female goes into sternal recumbency
- if not receptive, female will flee or spit
When does ovulation occur in camelids? How many copulations does it take for them to be induced to ovulate?
if female has a growing dominant follicle >7 mm
single copulation > 5 mins (compared to cats, which undergo multiple, short bursts)
What happens when female camelids ovulate without conception?
females ovulate, but fail to conveive –> will be receptive to a male ~12 days following ovulation
- unsure when luteolysis occurs, thought to be within 10 days
What induces ovulation in camelids? When does it occur?
combined inflammatory response to mating the the intrauterine deposition of beta-nerve growth factor (b-NGF) in seminal plasma
30 hours following mating
In what 2 situations will ovulation not occur in camelids?
- small follicle <7 mm
- follicle is in the regression phase of the follicular wave - luteinize and secrete progesterone only for 5 days
What is labeled in this picture?
cartilaginous process (camelid!)
- can irritate mucosa of uterus
Camelid follicular waves:
- waves overlap = high receptivity
- dominant follicles ovulate at 7 mm and can be fertilized
- follicles in regression have a shorter lifespan (secrete P4 for only 5 days)
What indicates receptive behavior in camelids?
submissive behavior, female will lay down in sternal recumbency when approached (Cushing)
- low progesterone
When are maidens and parous female camelids cycled?
2/3 or BW –> puberty
20 days following uneventful delivery
How is success of breeding camelids tested?
- present female to male in 7 days following breeding
- if she spits off the male, ovulation has occurred and she should be presented to the male weekly
- once she spits off the male for 2-3 consecutive weeks, U/S for pregnancy diagnosis
- if at any point she is receptive, breed again
When do most female camelids conceive?
first 3 matings
- if a female is presented more than 3 times to males, examine for infertility
What causes constant receptivity in camelids? What are 4 causes?
no ovulation = low progesterone
- wrong breeding timing (<7 mm)
- follicular cysts
- vaginal abnormalities
- ovarian hypoplasia/dysgenesis - minute chromosome syndrome
What causes constant rejection in camelids? What are 4 causes?
elevated progesterone
- pregnancy
- luteal cyst, luteinized hemorrhagic follicles
- pain - genital, musculoskeletal
- behavioral
What causes alternate receptivity in camelids? What are 3 causes?
ovulated, but not pregnant
- poor semen quality
- reproductive tract pathology
- early embryonic death
What is minute chromosome syndrome? How is it diagnosed?
normal diploid chromosome number (2n = 74), but one homolog of the smallest chromosome pair has a significantly reduces size, giving rise to the minute –> ovarian hypoplasia/dysgenesis
- noticed constant receptivity and no ovulation = not reproductively producing
- karyotype
What are 5 parts of the BSE in camelids?
- evaluation of perineum/vulva
- transrectal palpation (only if glove size <7)
- U/S of reproductive tract
- vaginal speculum exam
- uterine cytology, culture, biopsy
+/- hysteroscopy
What is the preferred method of diagnosing pregnancy in camelids? What are 4 other options?
U/S - transrectal after 12 days (more reliable by 3 weeks) or transabdominal after 60 days
- sexual behavior - spitting on males
- transrectal palpation of left horn - after 35 days
- progesterone concentration - >5 days
- ballotment
Where are most camelid fetuses found within the reproductive tract once it’s done moving?
left uterine horn –> L side transfers substance to the right to prevent CL ovulation (countercurrent through cross-over branch)
- ovulation can occur in both ovaries
- horn will start growing before the fetus is there
When is U/S most accurate for diagnosing camelid pregnancy?
16-23 days after mating
(can be as early as 9 days)
What kind of placentation do camelids have? What is unique?
diffuse, microcotyledonary, epitheliochorial, non-deciduate
amnion is closely adhered to the allantochorion –> allantois lies adjacent to the amnion, does NOT surround it
Camelid placentation:
What is the epidermal membrane? Why does it develop?
thin, semi-transparent membrane that attaches to the mucocutaneous junctions, coronary bands, and umbilicus
small volume of placental fluids –> helps the fetus pass through the birth canal due to this minimal lubrication (also found in piglets)
How long is gestation in camelids? What is the main source of progesterone?
340 days
CL –> presence required throughout gestation to maintain pregnancy (can induce parturition with PGF2a!)
How often do camelids have twins?
rarely –> most twins are naturally reduces early in gestation
When do most camelid births occur? What are the 3 stages?
morning/early afternoon
- 2-6 hours, isolation, uneasiness, frequent urination, waxing of teats
- 30-90 mins, begins with chorioamnion rupture and ends with delivery of the fetus, most females deliver standing
- 2-4 hours, passage of placenta
When is a retained placenta treated in camelids?
24 hours after the delivery of the fetus
What kind of uterine torsion is most common in camelids? When does it mostly happen?
clockwise, precervical –> carrying fetus in the left horn!
8-10 months of gestation and at parturition
What clinical signs are associated with uterine torsion? How is it diagnosed?
general discomfort to overt colic
transrectal palpation - location of broad ligaments on one side
What are 2 options for treating uterine torsion in camelids?
- rolling while sedated - right lateral recumbency for correction of clockwise
- surgical correction - laparatomy
How long do camelids typically secrete lochia? When are females receptive to males again?
(white/pink vaginal d/c) –> up to 1 week postpartum
as early as 4 days postpartum
When are pregnancy rates highest after a female camelid already gave birth?
if they are bred >20 days postpartum
- uterine involution is complete by 15-20 days postpartum
What is a common cause of necrotic vaginitis in camelids? What does it typically lead to?
traumatic injuries during obstetric manipulations
complete adhesions between vaginal walls –> pyometra
