repro in camelids

Question 1

Puberty:

Answer 1

6 ‐ 9 months

Question 2

Gestation length:

Answer 2

~345 days

Question 3

type of breeders

Answer 3

“Seasonal breeders” (December – March SA ) – Rainy season – not photoperiod

◦ North America and zoos: year round – No season

75% of births: June – November (~Summer)

Question 4

what type of ovulation

Answer 4

Induced Ovulators
Estrus cycle does not exist as such
Receptivity vs Non‐receptivity

Question 5

ideal time for breeding:

Answer 5

65% of BW (12‐15) months

Question 6

Reproductive anatomy of the female

Answer 6

 Spiral cervix
 2‐3 rings
 Septum
 Short body

Question 7

where is semen deposited and where does the fetus go

Answer 7

 Semen is deposited in both uterine horns
95‐98% of pregnancies on left horn

Question 8

 Copulation lasts

Answer 8

20‐30’ min

Question 9

Reproductive physiology; receptivity vs non

Answer 9

-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

Question 10

ovulation characteristics; follicle size & ovulation, regression stage

Answer 10

<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

Question 11

mating to ovulation timing

Answer 11

Mating to ovulation: 24‐27 hours

Question 12

Ovulatory follicle size:

Answer 12

10 mm (7‐14 mm)

Question 13

when can a male llama breed?

Answer 13

cannot extrude penis until ~2yrs, corresponds with testosterone

Question 14

ideal body condition

Answer 14

5/10
- Evaluate transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae

Question 15

Herd/ Pasture mating strategy and preg rate:

Answer 15

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

Question 16

alternating breeding system strategy and preg rate:

Answer 16

Alternating system: Breeding 7 ‐ 14 days /
Reintroduced 12‐20 days later (80% PR)

Question 17

hand directed breeding strategy and preg rate:

Answer 17

Hand‐ directed mating: Females are checked for receptivity
Mated with a fertile male – 40‐80% pregnancy rates

Records – Identification – Availability personnel

Question 18

how many unsuccessful breedings warrants a thorough reproductive exam?

Answer 18

More than 3 unsuccessful breedings

Question 19

how long after mating does ovulation occur?

Answer 19

Ovulation occurs 24‐26 hours after mating

Question 20

how to raise ovulation rate after breeding?

Answer 20

Ovulation rates with GnRH – hCG or LH (90‐100%)

Question 21

does semen have a role in ovulation?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

when is luteolysis? mediated by? signal from?

Answer 22

Starts on day 8‐9

 Mediated by endometrial prostaglandin production

 Main luteolytic signal from left horn

Question 23

when is the embryo in the uterus after breeding?

Answer 23

 Embryo reaches the uterus day 6.5 – 7 (as horses)

Question 24

how do llamas retain the pregnancy

Answer 24

CL

Question 25

how does the embryo settle?

Answer 25

Embryo migration – Elongation (as ruminants)

Question 26

placenta type

Answer 26

Placentation diffuse epitheliochorial microcotyledonary

Question 27

fetal membranes

Answer 27

 Allantois – Amnion (as everybody else)
 Epidermal membrane (as no one else)

Question 28

Normal delivery time and position

Answer 28

25 minutes (as mares)
 70% standing
 Majority during the day

 Almost no births between 5pm – 4 am (night temperatures 8 – 1.5 °C)

Question 29

lochia passed for? character?

Answer 29

5‐7 days
Dark brown – white (normal) – decreasing amounts of discharge

Question 30

normal passage of fetal membranes within:

Answer 30

3 hours

Question 31

signs of concern post partum

Answer 31

Signs of concern: Malodorous discharge, increase amounts of discharge, fever.

Question 32

optimal time for breeding after parturition

Answer 32

2‐3 weeks after parturition

Question 33

what happens if we breed too early after parturition

Answer 33

endometritis

Question 34

Infertility main cause

Answer 34

Poor breeding management if often the main cause of infertility

Question 35

how common is ovarian hypoplasia?

Answer 35

Common (16.8%) – poor prognosis

Question 36

most common reasons for male infertility?

Answer 36

10% Testicular hypoplasia
5.7% cryptorchidism
2.5% ectopic testis.

Question 37

follicular waves are how long

Answer 37

12 days

Question 38

semen deposited where

Answer 38

uterus