Effects of mating behaviour and the ovarian follicular state of female alpacas on conception

Abstract

It was not possible to correlate mating behaviour and ovarian state with conception. To optimise pregnancy rates in receptive alpacas, matings need to occur in the presence of an oestrogenic follicle that is capable of ovulation in response to mating. A simple method of detecting alpacas with follicles in this state is not currently available and treatments that control ovarian follicular growth should therefore be investigated.

Alpacas in Poland: health, welfare, and anti-parasitic prophylaxis

“…Ovulation is induced by copulation and occurs within 24 to 36 hours after mating, but the acceptance of the male by the female depends on the presence of maturing ovarian follicles with a diameter of at least 7 mm. Typically, at least one such follicle is present in one or both ovaries (9,37). A female that does not accept the male runs away spitting and kicking but lies still when the male is accepted (28).…”

“…Implantation occurs 20-22 days after copulation. Pregnancy lasts 335-350 days (9,19), but some sources report a wider range of 316-367 days (37). The birth weight of neonates (called crias) is 6-10 kg; those with a body weight lower than 5.5 kg and body temperature below 36°C are considered low-birth weight neonates requiring special care (9).…”

Uso Del Plasma Seminal De Alpaca Sobre La Tasa Ovulatoria Y Sobrevivencia Embrionaria

“…La ovulación se produce con similar frecuencia en ambos ovarios (Bravo et al, 1993;1995;Fernández-Baca et al, 1970a). A pesar de que la mayor parte de las gestaciones se producen en el cuerno izquierdo no se ha demostrado el hecho que si el ovocito proviene del ovario izquierdo determine mayor probabilidad de preñez (Vaughan et al, 2003). Si bien se sabe que en los camélidos sudamericanos existen ovulaciones múltiples (Bravo et al, 1993;Fernández-Baca et al, 1970a), no se han reportado partos múltiples (Fernández Baca, 1974;San Martín et al, 1968).…”

Clinical Examination of the Female Reproductive Function

“…[5][6][7] However, rejection of the male (spitting, kicking, or running away) is highly indicative of presence of high level of progesterone, particularly in females that have been receptive prior to a mating. Receptivity to the male is a behavior characterized by the female assuming a sitting sternal position (Kush or cush position).…”