Serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in female alpacas: variations during the reproductive cycle and correlation with ovarian superstimulation response

Abstract

Earlier, we validated an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for male alpacas. First, wecompared the validation data with another kit. There was a high correlation (R2 = 0.94) between these 2 kits. Second, we used thelatter kit to determine serum AMH concentrations during follicular and luteal phases of the reproductive cycle in female alpacas.There were no differences (p = 0.39) in serum AMH concentrations in alpacas (n = 11) between peak follicular and luteal phases(mean ± SEM, 1.33 ± 0.35 versus 1.18 ± 0.34 ng/ml, respectively). Third, we treated female alpacas (n = 13; 5 - 11 years) after 14-day treatment with decreasing doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of day of treatmenton serum AMH concentrations. Number of follicles (7 - 10 mm; mean ± SD [as determined via transrectal ultrasonography]) atend of treatment (12.69 ± 5.25; range: 6 - 24) was positively correlated (R2 = 0.7; p < 0.01) with serum AMH concentrations. Toconclude, the kit tested is usable for female alpacas; serum AMH concentrations were not affected by the cycle stage nor by ovariansuperstimulation treatment. Furthermore, a significant correlation between serum AMH serum concentrations and response to superstimulationsuggested that estimation of serum AMH concentrations may be valuable in determining ovarian follicular reserve.