reproduction in camelids Flashcards
male
macho
female
hembra
offspring
cria
parturition
criation or unpacking
sternal recumbency
cush or kush
male anatomy
sigmoid flexure cranial to scrotum
scrotum- near anus
testis- vertical/oblique orientation (descend then orientation shifted)
epididymis- small, X head of epididymis like the boar
head ventral and tail dorsal
*** impt. male anatomy
tail located dorsal and head ventral
scrotum
non pendulous
testes descended at birth
sperm production at 10-12 mo.
max testicular size (llamas- 3 yr, alpacas- 5 yr)- takes longer to reach max potential
don’t castrate under 2 years because then adhesions not breaking between penis and prepuce
male anatomy accessory sex glands
small ampulla
prostate
bulbourethral gland
urethral recess
NO VESICULAR GLANDS
urethral recess
blind diverticulum
has clinical significance * difficult catheterization
Penis
fibroelastic
sigmoid flexure- pre scrotal
cartilaginous process= UNIQUE
Glans penis
cartilaginous process- slight clockwise curvature
adaptation that allows for penetration of the cervix
urethral process on distal glans
cartilaginous process important during copulation during penetration of cervix
prepuce
triangular and non-pendulous
posterior orientation- urinates backwards between legs
sexual stimulation changes in orientation (during sexual excitement directed cranial)
neonate penis
at birth completely adhered to glans
lack cartilaginous process
cartilaginous process develops with age
preputial adhesions
testosterone influence- start breaking down adhesions
early castration may cause adhesions to persist, disappear in intact males by 3 yrs- why don’t want to castrate because need testosterone to get rid of adhesions
female anatomy
concave curvature (similar to male)
ovary (similar to cow)- ovaloid shape, and ovulation anywhere on the surface
bicronuate uterus (similar to sow)- Y or T shape = concave, has distinct septum (incomplete fashion)
vagina 15-25 cm in length
cervix
external os protrudes into vestibule doughnut
2-3 spiraling ring like structures- not cartilaginous
female anatomy similarities to other species
ovary- cow oviductal papilla- mare shape of uterus- mare septum- cow/sow cervix- ewe/sow vulva- ewe
round dorsal commissure
mammary glands
4 glandular quarters- each composed of 2 distinct glands (8 separate glands)
four teats- teats directed cranio-ventrally posses two openings each b/c 1 for each gland
male puberty
testosterone driven- low from birth to 18-20 mo. increases around 2 years of age
spermatogenesis- seasonal effect (mostly because of temp, and not light)
female puberty
average 12-13 mo. or body weight of 33 kg
successfully carrying cries
ovarian activity- 10 mo.
lack of true estrous cycle
physiology
INDUCED OVULATORS
estrous cycle
no true cycle, not repeatable or predictable
few or no external signs that are seen in other species
peruvian breeding season
december to march- southern hemisphere (summer)
increased follicular development and estradiol production
female mounting behavior
follicular dynamics
distinct follicular waves- follicles develop, follicles regress- become atretic
astral fluid- estradiol
and preovulatory follicles= 6-8mm
follicular waves in alpacas and llamas
mating induces ovulation of dominant follicle and formation of CL
1st wave leads to atretic follicle
male mating beahvior
the chase
courting
receptive female breeding behavior
submissive behavior- exhibit passive behavior
actively searching for mate
cush for mating
females cush near mating couples- frequently smell the male
non receptive female breeding
rejecting the male
CL present after mating and ovulation
progesterone influence
spitting off, running and screaming
male mating behavior
copulation, avg. 2-25 min (up to 70)
dribble ejaculators- once every minute
semen deposited directly into the uterus
may inseminate horns individually
induced ovulators
follicle 6-8mm and growing
24 hrs after breeding
induction of ovulation
stimulus= orgling (male sound) and cervical stimulation
ovulation inducing factor in seminal plasma (OIF) - necessary
pharmacological- LH (hCG)= species specific
GnRH- not species specific
ovulation inducing factor
stimulates release of LH
not all semen has the same effect
Pregnancy
blastocyst enters uterus on d 5-6
98% of pregnancies- left uterine horn (doesn’t matter which side operate will end up majority of time in L even if released from R)
CL= dependent
placentation
adeciduate, epitheliochorial, diffuse (microcotyledonary)
fetal membranes- epidermal membrane (lubrication during parturition)
amnion, allantois, chorion
gestation
alpacas and llamas- 335 to 360 days
prolonged gestation may occur
parturition
occurs between 6am and 1pm
signs impending parturition (not obvious)- not recognized compared to other domestic species
stage I parturition
isolation, restlessness
frequent attempts to urinate
hip resting
avg. 2-6 hrs
stage II parturition
often create while standing
avg 8-25 mins
stage III parturition
placenta passes between 4-6 hours
after 24 hours considered retained
body of uterus= short
epidermal membrane
sloughed
attached to mucosal membranes
postpartum period in camelids
vulvar discharge- present up to 1 wk, normal lochia- thick pinkish or white
little mothering normal
rapid return to receptivity
return to receptivity
receptive within days of parturition- 4 days postpartum, submissive to male, pre-ovulatory follicle may be present
breeding less than 15 days post
ovulation and conceptus can occur
fertility rates variable- incomplete luteal regression and uterine involution
irregular follicle development
15-2- days postpartum- uterine involution= complete
early rebreeding
allow for uterine involution
breeding 15 to 20 days post partum- obtain good fertility rates and one cria per year
berserk male syndrome
when dangerously aggressive behavior towards humans caused by overt handling
SUMMARY
SA camelids= unique repro anatomy and physiology
no estrous cycle
camelids are induced ovulators
semen is deposited directly into uterus
98% pregnancies carried in left uterine horn
camelids have diffuse microcotyledonary epitheliochorial adeciduate placenta
epidermal membrane= unique placental feature in camelids
pregnancy in camelids is dependent on CL
