Relationship between the nutritional state before the breeding period and the reproductive success in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) from the Chilean Puna

Norambuena, Cecilia; Hernández, Francisca; Alfaro, Jorge; Cárcamo, Gustavo; Clavarría, Ángela; Velasco, Miriam

doi:10.4067/s0719-81322018000100110

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Van Saun (2009) indicated that pregnant alpacas under conditions of nutritional energy balance have NEFA values of less than 0.4 mEq/l (equivalent to 0.4 mmol/l), lower than the values found in this study. Also, the NEFA values of all groups were similar to those found in non-pregnant alpacas during the dry season in the Chilean altiplano (Norambuena et al 2018). Regarding β-hydroxybutyrate levels, fasting increased the β-hydroxybutyrate plasma concentration up to about 1 to 2 mg/dl (equivalent to 0.1 to 0.19 mmol/l) in non-pregnant domestic camelids (Van Saun and Cebra 2014), which is similar to the ketone values obtained for all the groups in the present study.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

Energy balance of pregnant vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in the Chilean High Andes

Norambuena

Mussa

Hernández

et al. 2019

Austral j. vet. sci.

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Energy unbalance may be the cause of low fertility rates found in vicuñas. The objective of this study was to estimate the temporal variation of the nutritional status in pregnant vicuñas from a herd kept under captivity in the Chilean High Andes. The hypothesis under study is that animals are able to maintain the energy balance during the dry season. Six pregnant vicuñas were examined in August, October and January (year 2015-2016). Reproductive status was estimated by ultrasonography and plasma progesterone concentration. Live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS: 1-5 scale) were measured for each animal. A blood sample was taken to estimate the plasma concentrations of total protein (Biuret method), cholesterol (CHODPAP method), triglycerides (GPO-PAP method), β-hydroxybutyrate (enzymatic method) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; enzymatic colorimetric method). Vicuña groups had similar LW, BCS, plus similar plasma concentrations of metabolites, total protein and progesterone. Females did not increase their LW during gestation and their BCS in January (2.9) was below the recommendations for late pregnancy in camelids (BCS 3.5). NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate values were higher than those expected under nutritional energy balance signalling a lipolytic and ketogenic metabolic response, respectively. The absence of weight gain and the values of NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate show that pregnant vicuñas suffer a negative energy balance during the dry season in the Chilean High Andes. This can cause abortion and contribute to low fertility rates of the herds. It is suggested to provide pregnant vicuñas with food supplements up to birthing, in years of severe drought.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

Energy balance of pregnant vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in the Chilean High Andes

Norambuena

Mussa

Hernández

et al. 2019

Austral j. vet. sci.

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“…Not only a low BCS has an influence, but also strong deviations from the optimal BCS in both directions can affect the fertility cycle (Van Saun 2008 ). However, Norambuena et al investigated the reproductive success of female alpacas in terms of nutritional status and found no differences in the BCS between 20 pregnant and 15 non-pregnant animals (Norambuena et al 2018 ). In male alpacas, there is a positive correlation between BCS and testicular length, which has an influence on sperm production (Abraham et al 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body condition scoring in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) – a scoping review

Wagener,

Ganter,

Leonhard-Marek

2023

Vet Res Commun

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Assessment of the body condition score (BCS) is an important tool to check the nutritional status of an animal, and thus can provide important information in herd management, but also in the veterinary examination of individual animals. In dairy farming, BCS has been recognized as an important parameter for a long time already, but over the years body condition scoring has also become more important for other species. Especially in South American camelids (SACs: alpacas and llamas), whose dense coat can hide a poor nutritional status for a long time, regular assessment of the BCS is recommended by different authors and organizations. To date, there are several instructions for the assessment of the BCS in SACs, which, however, differ significantly in some points. For a consistent approach, a total of 35 instructions for the BCS in SACs were compared in a scoping review. The spine, especially the lumbar vertebrae as well as the ribs were identified as the two main body sites recommended for assessing the BCS. Furthermore, the area between the front and rear leg and the pelvis were mentioned frequently; however, these body sites were discussed controversially. The paralumbar fossa, shoulder, and udder were only mentioned sporadically. Among the various scales, the 1–5 scale was mentioned most frequently, with the optimal BCS being 3. Nonetheless, physiological fluctuation due to breed, age, sex, pregnancy, and lactation have to be considered. The BCS should be assessed each time the animals are handled, but at least monthly. In contrast to body weight, the BCS reflects the nutritional status of an animal even after a single examination. The review showed that much of the available information on the assessment of BCS in SACs is based on practical experience rather than scientific evidence. Indeed, some of the assumptions made there might still have to be verified or modified.

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“…Llamas from the Restricted group maintained the homeostasis of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and energy; the values of metabolic markers were according to the referential values reported for camelids (39,40). Negative energy balance (NEB) increased plasma concentrations of NEFA, BHB, or urea in previous studies conducted in llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (17,23,41,42). Starvation or dietary insufficiency results in mobilization of adipose stores, characterized by an increase in blood NEFA (over 0.6 mmol/L), and a mild increase in blood BHB (over 0.1 to 0.19 mmol/L) in camelids (43,44).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Effect of Different Levels of Energy Diet Restriction on Energy Balance, Leptin and CL Development, Vascularization, and Function in South American Camelids

et al. 2020

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The objective was to determine the effect of energy diet restriction on energy balance, systemic leptin and corpus luteum (CL) vascularization, development, and function in South American camelids. In experiment 1, adult llamas were randomly assigned to receive a diet of 70% of their maintenance energy requirements (MER) (Restricted group, n = 7) or fed ad libitum (Control group, n = 7) during 28 days. Body live weight (BLW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, blood samples were collected every 2 weeks to measure plasma leptin concentrations, and energy metabolites were quantified. In experiment 2, adult alpacas were randomly assigned to receive a diet of 40% MER for 21 days (Restricted group, n = 7) or fed ad libitum (Control group, n = 7). Then, ovulation was induced with gonadorelin acetate (day = 0), and trans-rectal ultrasonography (7.5 MHz) was performed using B and Doppler mode to record the diameter of the pre-ovulatory follicle, ovulation, CL diameter, and vascularization from Days 0 to 13. Blood samples were collected every 48 h from Days 1 to 13 to quantify plasma leptin and progesterone concentrations. In experiment 1, energy diet restriction of 70% MER did not affect plasma leptin concentration and metabolic parameters of the Restricted group. In experiment 2, the Restricted group had a lower BCS (p < 0.001), a smaller diameter of the CL on Days 5 and 7 (p < 0.05), and a smaller maximum diameter of the CL (10.2 ± 0.6 mm) than the Control group (12.1 ± 0.6 mm; p = 0.04). Low energy restriction of 70% MER for 28 days did not affect the energy balance of llamas (Experiment 1). Moderate energy restriction of 40% MER for 21 days negatively affected energy balance (BCS), and CL development but not its vascularization, leptin, and progesterone concentrations. These species must be submitted to longer periods or a higher level of energy restriction to impair ovarian function.

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Relationship between the nutritional state before the breeding period and the reproductive success in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) from the Chilean Puna

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

Energy balance of pregnant vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in the Chilean High Andes

Energy balance of pregnant vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in the Chilean High Andes

Body condition scoring in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) – a scoping review

Effect of Different Levels of Energy Diet Restriction on Energy Balance, Leptin and CL Development, Vascularization, and Function in South American Camelids

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