Semen Collection and Artificial Insemination in Llamas and Alpacas

Coaguila, Olger Pedro Ramos; Adams, Gregg P.

doi:10.1016/b978-072169323-1.50120-3

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…With the index finger guiding the semen applicator, the cervix was threaded and traversed. The device was then directed to the uterine horn corresponding to the side where an ovarian with a dominant follicle ≥ 7 mm was observed ( 7 ). The seeding of the straw's content was performed as deep as possible in the uterine horn (closest to the uterotubal junction), slowly depressing the injector plunger.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most remarkable characteristics of semen in South American camelids are its high structural viscosity and thread formation ( 1 – 3 ). These rheological characteristics impede the homogeneous mixing of semen with the extender, thereby limiting contact between the sperm cell membrane and cryoprotective compounds during the cooling and freezing processes ( 4 – 6 ), consequently hindering the development of artificial insemination technologies for this species ( 7 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca vas deferens. Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing

et al. 2021

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The viscous seminal plasma (SP) is currently a major impediment to the handling of ejaculate and the development of some biotechnologies in South American camelids. The vas deferens-collected spermatozoa of alpacas is a useful technique to avoid this problem. On the other hand, SP contains a large protein component that has been implicated in the function of spermatozoa within the female reproductive tract. In this sense, the low fertility achieved using transcervical insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa in alpacas could be improved by adding SP. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the whole SP on some in vitro parameters of alpaca spermatozoa after the freezing-thawing-process and the fertility after artificial insemination. It would contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between thawed sperm cells and SP. Spermatozoa were obtained by surgically diverted vas deferens. The samples were diluted with a Tris-based extender, packaged in straws, and frozen. At thawing, each straw was divided into two post-thawing conditions: with the addition of 10% of PBS (control) or with 10% SP (treatment). The sperm cells were evaluated using dynamic parameters, sperm cell morphology, and morphometry. Fertility was assessed by an artificial insemination trial. All in vitro parameters were analyzed by ANOVA. A heterogeneity test was scheduled for the fertility trial. After the freezing-thawing process, motility and plasma membrane functionality was improved when SP was added. No differences were found for post-thaw viability between the control and treatment samples. The percentage of normal cells was higher with SP at post-thawing, and a decrease of the presence of bent tailed spermatozoa with a droplet in the SP group was observed. The length of the head spermatozoa was 3.4% higher in the samples with PBS compared to those in which SP was added. Females pregnant at day 25 post-insemination were 0/12 (with SP inside the straw) and 1/10 (without SP inside the straw). In conclusion, the presence of 10% SP at post-thawing improves sperm cells' motility, functionality, and morphology, indicating that it would be beneficial to improve the frozen-thawed alpaca's physiology spermatozoa. More fertility trials must be developed to increase this knowledge.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca vas deferens. Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing

et al. 2021

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“…Llama semen was collected from five adult males once a week for three months by artificial vagina. 27 Ejaculates were diluted 1:1 (v:v) with phosphate buffered saline (PBS; Invitrogen, Grand Island, NY, USA), drawn back-and-forth through an 18-guage needle attached to a 10 mL syringe as previously described. 7 Seminal plasma was separated from the cellular components of the ejaculate by double centrifugation at 1500 Â g (Sorvall Legend RT; Mandel Scientific Co Ltd, Guelph, Ontario, Canada) for 30 min, and sperm-free samples were stored at À80 C. Upon thawing, the diluted seminal plasma samples from all five males were pooled.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vivo imaging in the rabbit as a model for the study of ovulation-inducing factors

2014

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The study of factors responsible for eliciting ovulation in rabbits has been hampered by the lack of a suitable method of monitoring the ovaries in vivo. Ovarian imaging by ultrasound biomicroscopy was used in two experiments designed to determine the effects of seminal plasma on the ovulatory response in rabbits. In Experiment 1, female rabbits were group-housed and treated intramuscularly with saline, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), or seminal plasma of llamas or rabbits (n = 4 to 6 per group). Rabbits were euthanized eight days later to evaluate the ovarian response by ultrasound biomicroscopy ex situ. No differences among groups were detected in the proportion of rabbits that ovulated or in the number and size of corpora lutea. The high incidence of ovulation in the negative control group was unexpected, and confounded determination of an ovulation-inducing effect of seminal plasma. In Experiment 2, female rabbits were caged individually, and treated as in Experiment 1 (n = 5 to 7 per group). The ovarian response was evaluated in vivo by transcutaneous ultrasound biomicroscopy. Ovulation and formation of corpora lutea were detected only in rabbits given GnRH. A preovulatory surge in plasma luteinizing hormone concentration and a post-ovulatory rise in plasma progesterone concentration were detected only in rabbits treated with GnRH. Surgical translocation of the ovaries to a subcutaneous position enabled longitudinal assessment of the ovulatory response by ultrasound biomicroscopy. Results clearly documented the effect of physical/social interaction on ovulation in rabbits, and did not support the hypothesis that seminal plasma elicits ovulation in rabbits.

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“…Alternatively, the proximity of copulating alpacas may serve the same purpose. Successful collection of semen by an AV has been reported in alpacas (Sumar and Leyva 1981, Vaughan and others 2003, Huanca and Adams 2007, Morton and others 2010a) and in llamas (Lichtenwalner and others 1996, Von Baer and Hellemann 1999, Huanca and Gauly 2001). In some countries, better results are obtained if the collecting tube is wrapped in an electric blanket to keep the semen warm during the lengthy collection period, although use of a collecting tube in a water jacket can achieve the same effect.…”

Section: Semen Collection Techniques In Alpacasmentioning

confidence: 98%

Semen collection methods in alpacas

et al. 2017

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South American camelids, particularly alpacas, are gaining in popularity outside their native lands. Reproductive biotechnologies, such as artificial insemination or embryo transfer with cryopreserved embryos, are more complicated in these species than many others due to differences in their reproductive physiology compared to the more commonly encountered domestic livestock. This article reviews the methods currently available for obtaining semen or spermatozoa from alpacas and describes some of the problems associated with handling the viscous seminal plasma characteristic of camelids. Possibilities and limitations of reproductive biotechnologies in this species are discussed, and future developments are outlined, especially some new techniques which are currently being developed for use with camel semen and may be transferable to alpacas.

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Semen Collection and Artificial Insemination in Llamas and Alpacas

Cited by 4 publications

References 14 publications

Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca vas deferens. Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing

Spermatozoa Obtained From Alpaca vas deferens. Effects of Seminal Plasma Added at Post-thawing

In vivo imaging in the rabbit as a model for the study of ovulation-inducing factors

Semen collection methods in alpacas

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