Lecture 28: Camelid Reproduction

How are llamas different than alpacas?

- both are domesticated

- llamas are bigger

How does the camelid penile anatomy like compare to the stallions?

- prostate, bulbourethral glands

- no ampulla or seminal vesicles

- sigmoid flexure

What type of penis do camelids have? What does it mean?

fibroelastic penis

- penis is attached to prepuce at birth

- cartilaginous process aids in penetration through cervix

- urethra at base of process

How does age affects separation of the prepuce from the penis in camelids?

- 12-13 months detaches starting at tip, progresses towards base

- not completely detached until full sexual maturity

When are male camelids most fertile?

1.5-3 years of age

What is the male camelid reproductive system like?

- non-pendulous scrotum

- urinate backward (like cats)

- viscous ejaculate that liquifies ~24 hrs after copulation

What are common issues in the male camelid reproductive system?

- testicular hypoplasia, cryptorchidism, ectopic testes, testicular cysts, heat stress persistent frenulum, preputial stricture

What is test breeding in camelids allow for

- examination of male behavior

- ability for intromission

- examination of penis

- examination of ejaculate on dismount

What are pregnancies like in female camelids (hembra)?

- pregnancy usually in left horn - 95%

What is ovulation like for female camelids (hembra)?

- Induced ovulators = physical contact, penile stimulation, "orgling", male ejaculate

When does the female camelids (hembra) go through puberty

- 10-18 months old

- most are bred at 15-18 months old and 2/3 of mature weight

What is the female camelids (hembra) reproductive tract like?

- vagina is long

- cervix is short with 2-3 cartilaginous rings

- uterine body is short

- uterine horns: left is usually bigger than right

- ovaries are very small when inactive

- follicles 5-15 mm

What are the follicles of a female camelid (hembra) like?

- 10-12 day follicular waves

- follicles 7mm+ are considered dominant

- ovulate 24-72 hours post mating

What is the seasonality of breeding for female camelids (hembra) like?

- breed for deliveries in late March to mid June and late September to mid November

- more northern: breed to deliver May through September

- more southern: breed to deliver November through April

What delivery times should be avoided for delivery in female camelids (hembra)?

- avoid hot months really cold months unless you have a heating or cooling mechanisms in place

What is a non-receptive female camelid?

- maiden female that has not reached sexual maturity will spit off the male (check estradiol)

- non pregnant female that has cushed/bred but now open (check progesterone and treat with PGF2a)

What are causes of camelid female infertility?

- imperforate hymen

- segmental aplasia

- uterus unicorns

- ovarian hypoplasia

- double cervix

- intersex conditions

- uterine infections

- ovulation failure

- persistent CL

What are reproductive diagnostics for female camelids?

- palpation per rectum

- vaginoscopy

- uterine cultures

- uterine biopsy

- hysteroscopy (Pic)

- hormone analysis

What is a persistent hymen like?

- histotroph present due to hymen holding it in and expelled after perforation

- unable to be bred until fixed

What is camelid sexual behavior like?

- male "cushes" or rides female until she lays down in cush position

- breeding take 20 min or more

- spitting, kicking, refusal to lie down if not receptive

What is camelid breeding like?

- rebreed in 24 hrs if desired

- avoid 3+ breedings

- make sure penis is in the vulva (avoid rectal contamination)

- transuterine deposition can occur

- uterine mucosa irritated from the penis (inflammation, edema, hemorrhage)

- ovulation occurs ~30 hours after breeding

What drugs may be used to manipulate the estrous cycle of camelids?

a. retained CL in non-preg females

b. to induce ovulation

c. to maintain pregnancy

a. Cloprostenol (Estrumate; PGF2a)

b. hCG

c. progesterone

What drug do you want to avoid in female camelids?

- dinoprost (Brand name Lutalyse)

You can diagnose pregnancy in camelids with ___________ 14-15 days post breeding

- refusal of breeding

When can you diagnose pregnancy in camelids using U/S?

- rectally as early as 12 days

- heart beat seen day 21-28

When can you diagnose pregnancy in camelids using rectal palpation?

- day 30 in maiden

- day 45 in multiparous

When can you diagnose pregnancy in camelids using transabdominal U/S?

- day 45+ on left, >day90 on right

When can you diagnose pregnancy in camelids using blood progesterone concentration?

- done 15-21 days post mating

What is the gestation length for llamas?

- 350 days

What is the gestation length for alpacas?

- 342 days

EED is reported up to ___% in some alpacas

- 50%

What is parturition like in camelids?

- is called unpacking or criation/criating

- 90% occur late morning (around noon)

What is the timeline for parturition like in camelids?

- stage 1: 2-6 hours

- stage 2: 60-90 min

- stage 3: within 6 hours

- stand 1 hour, nurse within 2 hours of standing

When can female camelids rebreed after parturition?

- can rebreed 10 days postpartum, but better conception/pregnancy rates at 20-30 days

What are the signs of parturition in female camelids?

- change in behavior, formation of udder, waxing of teats

Why do camelids often have dystocias?

- primarily due to length of neck and limbs

What is camelid maternal behavior like?

- female tends to be very interested in offspring, but does not clean it off or have much physical contact with it

What is the neonatal care of camelids like?

- dip navel

- may have to use enema, if meconium impaction suspected

- should be up and nursing within 6 hour (really within 3 hr)

- selenium injection in deficient areas

How do you check the udder of a camelid?

- the llama has 4 teats with 8 associated glands

- check mastitis, colostrum and patency of teat

What are signs of prematurely of a cria, baby camelid?

- less than 20 pounds (llama), then consider possibility of prematurity (~12 pounds in alpaca)

What is the epidermal membrane?

- over entire body except for orifices

- thought to be important for lubrication since little fluid present

- also called "fourth membrane"

- attached at lips, nares, eyes, and coronary bands

How much colostrum should a baby camelid get?

- Should intake 10% of body weight in first 12 to 18 hours and two or more feedings

What should you notice on placental exam?

- amnion is closely associated with allantoic surface

- assess umbilical vessel

- normal to see concretions

What is wrong with this placenta?

- diffuse, epitheliochorial

What is the expected rate of gain for camelids?

- Gains of half pound per day in early post natal perion, and gains of 1 pound per day thereafter can be expected

- Young usually start to eat solids by two to three weeks of age

- They begin to ruminate by 46 weeks of age and are usually weaned by four five months of age

What are infectious causes of pregnancy loss in camelids?

- toxoplasmosis

- chlamydiosis

- leptospirosis

- brucellosis

- bacterial placentitis

- BVD virus

What is uterine torsion like in camelids?

- Occurs late or at term

- May diagnose by transrectal palpation

- Vaginal exam may not be helpful

What are the clinical signs seen with uterine torsion like in camelids?

- vary depending on time and gestation

- colic, depression, anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, lateral recumbency

What is a berserk male?

- Hand reared males can imprint on humans which make them very friendly and cute

- can become very aggressive towards humans when they reach sexual maturity

What is choanal atresia?

- a fairly common congenital defect

- open mouth breathing seen