repro in camelids Flashcards
Puberty:
6 ‐ 9 months
Gestation length:
~345 days
type of breeders
“Seasonal breeders” (December – March SA ) – Rainy season – not photoperiod
◦ North America and zoos: year round – No season
75% of births: June – November (~Summer)
what type of ovulation
Induced Ovulators
Estrus cycle does not exist as such
Receptivity vs Non‐receptivity
ideal time for breeding:
65% of BW (12‐15) months
Reproductive anatomy of the female
Spiral cervix
2‐3 rings
Septum
Short body
where is semen deposited and where does the fetus go
Semen is deposited in both uterine horns
95‐98% of pregnancies on left horn
Copulation lasts
20‐30’ min
Reproductive physiology; receptivity vs non
-Receptivity: Sternal recumbency after introduction of the male
-Approach to the male – sit
-Females are receptive unless progesterone is high
-Non receptive females – Run away and spits off
-Elevated serum progesterone
-Sole parameter identifies 75% of pregnancies
ovulation characteristics; follicle size & ovulation, regression stage
<6mm: Copulation does not trigger ovulation
7‐12 mm: Copulation trigger ovulation
Luteolysis (day 9‐12 after)
Receptive 3‐4 days later
-Regressive stage: Copulation triggers luteinization of follicles
-Ovulation does not occur
-Short luteal phase 6‐7 days
-Follicle growth, maintenance and regression 12 days (9‐17 days)
Mating to ovulation: 24‐27 hours
mating to ovulation timing
Mating to ovulation: 24‐27 hours
Ovulatory follicle size:
10 mm (7‐14 mm)
when can a male llama breed?
cannot extrude penis until ~2yrs, corresponds with testosterone
ideal body condition
5/10
- Evaluate transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae
Herd/ Pasture mating strategy and preg rate:
Herd/ Pasture mating: Male is maintained with a group of females (1:20 ratio)
Breeding for 60 days – 45‐60% pregnancy rates – 2/3 of females are covered in first week
alternating breeding system strategy and preg rate:
Alternating system: Breeding 7 ‐ 14 days /
Reintroduced 12‐20 days later (80% PR)
hand directed breeding strategy and preg rate:
Hand‐ directed mating: Females are checked for receptivity
Mated with a fertile male – 40‐80% pregnancy rates
Records – Identification – Availability personnel
how many unsuccessful breedings warrants a thorough reproductive exam?
More than 3 unsuccessful breedings
how long after mating does ovulation occur?
Ovulation occurs 24‐26 hours after mating
how to raise ovulation rate after breeding?
Ovulation rates with GnRH – hCG or LH (90‐100%)
does semen have a role in ovulation?
yes, seems to have some sort of chemical signal, but also see 80% ovulation with vasectomized intact males, and 15% just from mounting
-possible the cartilaginous tip of penis helps to damage female tract to give semen an easier way to signal
when is luteolysis? mediated by? signal from?
Starts on day 8‐9
Mediated by endometrial prostaglandin production
Main luteolytic signal from left horn
when is the embryo in the uterus after breeding?
Embryo reaches the uterus day 6.5 – 7 (as horses)
how do llamas retain the pregnancy
CL
how does the embryo settle?
Embryo migration – Elongation (as ruminants)
placenta type
Placentation diffuse epitheliochorial microcotyledonary
fetal membranes
Allantois – Amnion (as everybody else)
Epidermal membrane (as no one else)
Normal delivery time and position
25 minutes (as mares)
70% standing
Majority during the day
Almost no births between 5pm – 4 am (night temperatures 8 – 1.5 °C)
lochia passed for? character?
5‐7 days
Dark brown – white (normal) – decreasing amounts of discharge
normal passage of fetal membranes within:
3 hours
signs of concern post partum
Signs of concern: Malodorous discharge, increase amounts of discharge, fever.
optimal time for breeding after parturition
2‐3 weeks after parturition
what happens if we breed too early after parturition
endometritis
Infertility main cause
Poor breeding management if often the main cause of infertility
how common is ovarian hypoplasia?
Common (16.8%) – poor prognosis
most common reasons for male infertility?
10% Testicular hypoplasia
5.7% cryptorchidism
2.5% ectopic testis.
follicular waves are how long
12 days
semen deposited where
uterus
