Ovarian follicular synchronization, ovulation and oocyte development in llamas and alpacas

The purpose of the studies reported in this thesis was to increase our understanding of the reproductive physiology of South American camelids. Studies were conducted in llamas and alpacas to investigate methods to electively control ovarian follicular dynamics, to determine the effects of hormone preparations or biological factors derived from seminal plasma on ovulation induction, and to evaluate the establishment of superstimulatory protocols to induce a consistent ovarian follicular response for oocyte collection. The first study was designed to compare the efficacy of treatments intended to induce follicular wave synchronization among llamas, and to determine the effect of these treatments on pregnancy rates after fixed-time natural mating. In the first experiment, lutenizing hormone (LH) and follicular ablation treatments were most effective for inducing follicular wave synchronization, while estradiol plus progesterone (E/P) treatment was intermediate. In the second experiment, llamas were assigned randomly to Control, (E/P), and LH groups. A single, fixed-time natural mating was permitted 10 to 12 days after treatment. The pregnancy rate was higher (