Aspects of Reproduction in the Alpaca

Abstract

The alpaca, Lama pacos, does not have regular oestrous cycles, but oestrus lasts for 21 to 36 days during the breeding season. Ovulation is induced by coitus. Follicular ovulation rupture occurs spontaneously 26 hr after coital stimulation and can be induced by a single injection of hcg. The low fertility observed in this species is considered to be due to low sperm production in the males and a high incidence of pseudopregnancy in the females. The gestation period has been determined to be about 342 to 345 days.

Effect of Different Mating Stimuli on Induction of Ovulation in the Alpaca

“…Since ovulation has been reported to occur about 26 hr after service or 24 hr after hcg injection (San-Martin et al, 1968) …”

“…In the alpaca (Lama pacos), San-Martin, Copaira, Zuñiga, Rodreguez, Bustinza & Acosta (1968) (1968) who reported more frequent ovulation of the left ovary, although their differences were not statisti¬ cally significant. Mature follicles were similarly distributed in both ovaries in those animals in which ovulations did not occur.…”

Feasibility of sex-sorting sperm from the white and the black rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum, Diceros bicornis)

“…Spermatozoa cannot be separated from the gelatinous material by filtration or centrifugation as routinely applied in the boar or the stallion, nor does the gel fraction liquefy after a short period of time (human [17]) or release spermatozoa by contraction (rhesus monkey [18]). These limitations are also evident in the semen samples of camelids such as the alpaca and llama [19,20].…”

Estudio Morfológico de Testículo de Híbridos de Alpaca (Lama pacos L.1758) y Llama (Lama glama L. 1758)

“…En muchos estudios y revisiones bibliográficas por grandes expertos en reproducción de camélidos (San Martin et al, 1968;Novoa, 1970, Delhon & Von Lawzewitsch, 1987 no se mencionan a los híbridos de alpacas y llamas. Solamente Nuevo (1994) incluye en su descripción de camélidos el hibridismo presente entre estas especies.…”