reproduction in camelids

Question 1

male

Answer 1

macho

Question 2

female

Answer 2

hembra

Question 3

offspring

Answer 3

cria

Question 4

parturition

Answer 4

criation or unpacking

Question 5

sternal recumbency

Answer 5

cush or kush

Question 6

male anatomy

Answer 6

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

Question 7

*** impt. male anatomy

Answer 7

tail located dorsal and head ventral

Question 8

scrotum

Answer 8

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

Question 9

male anatomy accessory sex glands

Answer 9

small ampulla

prostate

bulbourethral gland

urethral recess

NO VESICULAR GLANDS

Question 10

urethral recess

Answer 10

blind diverticulum

has clinical significance * difficult catheterization

Question 11

Penis

Answer 11

fibroelastic

sigmoid flexure- pre scrotal

cartilaginous process= UNIQUE

Question 12

Glans penis

Answer 12

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

Question 13

prepuce

Answer 13

triangular and non-pendulous

posterior orientation- urinates backwards between legs
sexual stimulation changes in orientation (during sexual excitement directed cranial)

Question 14

neonate penis

Answer 14

at birth completely adhered to glans
lack cartilaginous process

cartilaginous process develops with age

Question 15

preputial adhesions

Answer 15

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

Question 16

female anatomy

Answer 16

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

Question 17

cervix

Answer 17

external os protrudes into vestibule doughnut

2-3 spiraling ring like structures- not cartilaginous

Question 18

female anatomy similarities to other species

Answer 18

ovary- cow
oviductal papilla- mare 
shape of uterus- mare 
septum- cow/sow
cervix- ewe/sow
vulva- ewe 

round dorsal commissure

Question 19

mammary glands

Answer 19

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

Question 20

male puberty

Answer 20

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)

Question 21

female puberty

Answer 21

average 12-13 mo. or body weight of 33 kg
successfully carrying cries

ovarian activity- 10 mo.

lack of true estrous cycle

Question 22

physiology

Answer 22

INDUCED OVULATORS

Question 23

estrous cycle

Answer 23

no true cycle, not repeatable or predictable

few or no external signs that are seen in other species

Question 24

peruvian breeding season

Answer 24

december to march- southern hemisphere (summer)
increased follicular development and estradiol production
female mounting behavior

Question 25

follicular dynamics

Answer 25

distinct follicular waves- follicles develop, follicles regress- become atretic

astral fluid- estradiol

and preovulatory follicles= 6-8mm

Question 26

follicular waves in alpacas and llamas

Answer 26

mating induces ovulation of dominant follicle and formation of CL

1st wave leads to atretic follicle

Question 27

male mating beahvior

Answer 27

the chase

courting

Question 28

receptive female breeding behavior

Answer 28

submissive behavior- exhibit passive behavior
actively searching for mate
cush for mating
females cush near mating couples- frequently smell the male

Question 29

non receptive female breeding

Answer 29

rejecting the male
CL present after mating and ovulation

progesterone influence

spitting off, running and screaming

Question 30

male mating behavior

Answer 30

copulation, avg. 2-25 min (up to 70)

dribble ejaculators- once every minute
semen deposited directly into the uterus
may inseminate horns individually

Question 31

induced ovulators

Answer 31

follicle 6-8mm and growing

24 hrs after breeding

Question 32

induction of ovulation

Answer 32

stimulus= orgling (male sound) and cervical stimulation

ovulation inducing factor in seminal plasma (OIF) - necessary

pharmacological- LH (hCG)= species specific
GnRH- not species specific

Question 33

ovulation inducing factor

Answer 33

stimulates release of LH

not all semen has the same effect

Question 34

Pregnancy

Answer 34

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

Question 35

placentation

Answer 35

adeciduate, epitheliochorial, diffuse (microcotyledonary)

fetal membranes- epidermal membrane (lubrication during parturition)
amnion, allantois, chorion

Question 36

gestation

Answer 36

alpacas and llamas- 335 to 360 days

prolonged gestation may occur

Question 37

parturition

Answer 37

occurs between 6am and 1pm

signs impending parturition (not obvious)- not recognized compared to other domestic species

Question 38

stage I parturition

Answer 38

isolation, restlessness
frequent attempts to urinate
hip resting
avg. 2-6 hrs

Question 39

stage II parturition

Answer 39

often create while standing

avg 8-25 mins

Question 40

stage III parturition

Answer 40

placenta passes between 4-6 hours
after 24 hours considered retained
body of uterus= short

Question 41

epidermal membrane

Answer 41

sloughed

attached to mucosal membranes

Question 42

postpartum period in camelids

Answer 42

vulvar discharge- present up to 1 wk, normal lochia- thick pinkish or white

little mothering normal

rapid return to receptivity

Question 43

return to receptivity

Answer 43

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

Question 44

early rebreeding

Answer 44

allow for uterine involution

breeding 15 to 20 days post partum- obtain good fertility rates and one cria per year

Question 45

berserk male syndrome

Answer 45

when dangerously aggressive behavior towards humans caused by overt handling

Question 46

SUMMARY

Answer 46

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