The advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) applied in South American camelid species are still scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three semen extenders, before and after the cryopreservation of spermatozoa obtained from the vas deferens, on sperm quality parameters and in vitro fertilization rates of llama () oocytes. Mature fertile llama males (; = 6; age: 48-60 mo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnim Reprod
March 2024
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) for ovarian superstimulation on ovarian response, follicular development and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collection in llamas. For this purpose, eighteen multiparous non-lactating adult (4-7 yo) female llamas with an average body condition of 2.8 (BCS 1-5) were submitted to a follicular ablation (FA) to induce a new follicular wave emergence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMilk production in the Andean highlands is variable over space and time. This variability is related to fluctuating environmental factors such as rainfall season which directly influence the availability of livestock feeding resources. The main aim of this study was to develop a time-series model to forecast milk production in a mountainous geographical area by analysing the dynamics of milk records thorough the year.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe goal of this study was to investigate the age-related differences in testosterone concentration and its relation to testicular biometrics, testicular blood flow, and fertility in alpacas (). Fifteen alpaca males with different ages (young (YM; ~12-14 mo.), n = 5; intermediate (IM; ~24 mo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral Creole cattle biotypes can be found in the Andean highlands, and most of them are considered as being in risk of extinction. The main aim of the present study was to perform a phenotypic characterization of the Creole cattle in the Andean highlands using bio-morphometric measures and zoometric indices. Individuals from three different biotypes (Black 'Negro' (n = 57), Colour-Sided 'Callejón' (n = 20), and Brindle 'Atigrado' (n = 18)) from an experimental research center located in the Peruvian highlands were enrolled in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe reproductive physiology in camelid species has its particularities. The present study aimed to characterize the ovarian follicular dynamics and its functional significance in relation to follicular deviation, vaginal cytological characteristics, and sexual hormone profiles in llamas as the first report in South American camelids. Non-pregnant, multiparous llamas (Lama glama; n = 10; age: 48−72 mo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe viscous seminal plasma (SP) is currently a major impediment to the handling of ejaculate and the development of some biotechnologies in South American camelids. The -collected spermatozoa of alpacas is a useful technique to avoid this problem. On the other hand, SP contains a large protein component that has been implicated in the function of spermatozoa within the female reproductive tract.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF