Artificial breeding in alpacas

Jane Vaughan

Artificial breeding in alpacas

In: South American camelids research

Author:

Jane Vaughan

Jane Vaughan Cria Genesis, PO Box 406, Ocean Grove, Vic 3226, Australia; vaughan@ava.com.au

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 15–24

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-576-5_003

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Male alpacas produce low volume, low density, high viscosity semen during an ejaculatory period lasting 15 to 20 minutes. There is extreme variation in semen quality both within and between males. It is essential to collect the best quality ejaculate in the first instance to ensure maximum numbers of live sperm are available to inseminate after extension and preservation. The high viscosity of semen makes it difficult to extract semen from the artificial vagina and to mix with extenders. The low density of semen means that few doses per ejaculate are available for artificial insemination. Semen is deposited transcervically at the utero-tubal junction ipsilateral to the dominant follicle 24 hours after induction of ovulation in the female. While pregnancies have been easy to obtain from artificial insemination of fresh semen, it has been more difficult using chilled or frozen semen. The understanding of ovarian function in alpacas has been instrumental in the success of developing non-surgical, transcervical single and multiple ovulation embryo transfer. Females may be flushed every 10-12 days using single-embryo flushing techniques and approximately every month following multiple ovulation. Fifty live births (26 males, 24 females) have occurred over the last 3 years in Australia, following single-embryo flushing. Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer produces an average of 3 embryos per flush (up to 14 embryos per individual) on most farms. Attention to detail in preparation of females is essential for success. Significant factors include use of normally fertile animals, ensuring body condition score averages 2.5-3 (out of 5), animals have access to green grass and adequate selenium intake.

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South American camelids research

Volume 1

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086865765

Publisher:: Brill | Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 01 Nov 2006

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Artificial breeding in alpacas

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South American camelids research

Volume 1

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