Camelid Reproduction- Lecture 18 Flashcards by Greer Brander-McCaffrey

Macho

Male

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Hembra

Female

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Cria

Offspring

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Criation/unpacking

Parturition

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Cush or Kush

Sternal recumbency

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Scrotum

Non-pendulous.
Near anus.
Testes descended at birth.
Sperm production at 10-12 months.
Max size: llamas- 3 yrs. alpaca- 5 yrs.

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Testis

Vertical orientation

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Epididymis

Small.

Tail of epididymis is on the dorsal pole of the testis.

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Male accessory sex glands

Small ampulla.
Prostate.
Bulbourethral glands.
NO VESICULAR GLANDS.

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Prepuce

Triangular and non pendulous.

Posterior orientation- urinates backwards between legs, sexual stimulation changes the orientation.

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Penis

Fibroelastic.
Sigmoid flexure (pre-scrotal).

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Glans penis

Hook shaped process.
Cartilaginous process (develops with age)- clockwise curve.
Adaptation allows to penetrate cervix.

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Preputial adhesions

Testosterone influence.
Early castration may cause adhesions to persist.
Disappear in intact males by 3 years.

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Ovary

Ovaloid shape.

Ovulation anywhere on the surface.

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Uterus

Bicornuate.

Distinct septum- incomplete fusion.

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Cervix

External os protrudes into the vestibule “doughnut”.

2 to 3 ring like structure.

Vagina

15-25 cm in length

Mammary glands

Four teats- directed cranio-ventrally possess two openings.
Distinct separation between left and right halves of udders.
Independent anterior and posterior quarters.

Male Puberty

Testosterone driven- increase around 2 years.

Spermatogenesis- seasonal effect.

Female puberty

Lack of true estrous cycle.
Ovarian activity- 10 months.
Average is 12-13 months with body weight at 33 kg.

Physiology

No true estrous cycle- unpredictable.

Peruvian breeding season (Dec. to March).

Follicular dynamics

Distinct follicular waves: follicles develop and become atretic.
Antral fluid- estradiol.
Pre-ovulatory follicles- 6 to 8 mm.

Female breeding behavior- receptive

Submissive- exhibit passive behavior.
“Cush”.
Females sit down near mating couples- smell the male.

Female breeding behavior- non receptive

Mated females.
CL is present- progesterone influence.
Reject the male.
"Spitting-off".
Run away screaming.

Male mating behavior

Copulation- average 2 to 25 minutes, can be up to 70. Dribble ejaculators- once every minute, semen deposited into uterus. Can inseminate horns individually.

Ovulation

Induced ovulators- 24hrs after breeding. Stimulus- orgling and cervical stimulation. Male's seminal plasma has OIF in it.

Ovulation inducing factor/OIF

Stimulates release of LH. | Found in semen.

Pregnancy

98% of pregnancies are in left uterine horn. CL produces progesterone. Blastocyst enters uterus at 5-6 days.

Twins

Live births are uncommon

Placenta

Non-deciduate. Epitheliochorial. Diffuse. Microcotyledonary.

Gestation

Alpacas & llamas: 335-360 days. Progesterone dependent. Prolonged gestation occurs.

Parturition

Occurs in morning. | Signs: not recognized.

Stage 1 parturition

Isolation, restlessness. Frequent attempts to urinate. Hip resting. 2-6 hours.

Stage 2 parturition

Criate while standing. | Average 8-25 minutes.

Stage 3 parturition

Placenta passes between 4-6 hours. | At 24 hours it is considered retained.

Epidermal membrane

Attached to mucosal membranes.

Postpartum

Vulvar discharge- present up to one week, normal lochia (thick, pinkish or white). Little "mothering" normal. Rapid return to receptivity.

Return to receptivity

Receptive within days of parturition (4 days). Breeding less then 15 days post- obtain good fertility rate. Uterine involution is complete by 15 to 20 days.