Conformation and Anatomical Relations of the Liver of Llama (<i>Lama glama</i>)

The breeding of South American camelids is the main economic activity of the high Andean region of South America and it, is potentially, the most profitable resource in of the Puna environmental conditions of the Puna. The duration of the gestation in alpaca is 339.7 ± 12 days. The objective of the present work was to macroscopically and microscopically describe the ontogenic development of the splanchnic cavities of the alpaca and to determine the gestational time in which the post-cranial ossification centers are observed in the embryos/fetuses of this species, from day 21 to 107 of gestation. The documentation of normal ontogenic development, which is vacant for this period, is of the utmost importance to understand the consequences of the alterations at the different gestational times, as well as for the estimation of the gestational age in the case of abortions. Forty-seven alpaca specimens of both sexes, at different times of their gestational development, collected during slaughter at local slaughterhouses of the Department of Huancavelica, Peru, were evaluated. Specimens were assigned to seven groups according to their morphological characteristics. The embryogenesis in the alpaca was characterized by a series of changes comparable to those occurring in other mammals with similar gestational periods. Despite these similarities, species differences were found in some organs as stomach, which are observed too in adult individuals.

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“…At 94–107 days the duodenal ampulla and the sigmoid colon, were observed in coincidence with the description by Castro et al. ) in adult llama.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Morphology of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) embryos in the first third of pregnancy

Castro

Diaz²,

Mendoza‐Torres

et al. 2018

Reprod Domestic Animals

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“…Nevertheless, there are a few articles describing the anatomy of the digestive organs in adults. From these works, it was demonstrated that SAC have no gallbladder (Fernández Baca, ) and that, in the adult llama, the liver is a solid, post‐diaphragmatic, reddish organ located in the cranial abdominal region (Castro et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of the Liver in Alpaca (Vicugna pacos): A Microscopic and Macroscopic Description

Castro

Domínguez

Gómez

et al. 2015

Anat. Histol. Embryol.

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South American camelids have several biological, morphological and behavioural adaptations that allow them to live in geographical areas dominated by high altitudes. The liver has hematopoietic functions during the prenatal life, which could be modified in response to the unfavorable habitat. However, there are no previous data on the prenatal development of the liver in these species. In the present work, a study on the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the liver of the alpaca during ontogeny was performed. Forty-one animals ranging in age from 20 days of embryonic development to adults were studied. Macroscopic and microscopic observations were performed on samples subjected to different techniques. Less than 7-g specimens were studied with stereoscopic magnifying glass. The general characteristics of the prenatal liver are similar to those of other mammals, and the structures related to hematopoietic function follow an ontogenic pattern similar to that of previously studied precocial species. However, there are differences in morphology when compared to descriptions for the Old World camelids, including the absence of relation between the caudate lobe and the right kidney and the lack of interlobular connective tissue.

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“…In the liver of a normal alpaca ( Figure 1) the left lobe lies cranioventrally and comprises a lateral and a medial portion, while the right lobe is oriented in a caudoventral position (Castro et al 2009). The shape can vary, however, with some animals having less well developed lateral and medial portions of the left lobe (Castro et al 2015).…”

Section: Chronic Sporidesmin Toxicosis and Photosensitisation In An Amentioning

confidence: 98%