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<big><center>[[Reproductive System|'''BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM''']]</center></big>

|sublink1=Reproductive System - Anatomy & Physiology#Camelids_.28LLamas_.26_Alpacas.29

|subtext1=CAMELIDS

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==== Agressiveness ====

= Male =

 

== Rutting Behaviour ==

 

=== Agressiveness ===

* Increasing aggressive towards other males, and sometimes even towards people, during the breeding season.

* Increasing aggressive towards other males, and sometimes even towards people, during the breeding season.

* Because of this continuous stress there is a reduction in food intake and frequent diarrhoea resulting in a loss in weight - sometimes up to 35%.

* Because of this continuous stress there is a reduction in food intake and frequent diarrhoea resulting in a loss in weight - sometimes up to 35%.

=== Soft Palate Ejection ===

==== Soft Palate Ejection ====

* Exteriorisation of the [[Soft_Palate_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|soft palate]], known as the dulah  

* Exteriorisation of the [[Soft_Palate_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|soft palate]], known as the dulah  

** This frothing is generally attributed to increased secretion of the [[Oral_Cavity_-_Salivary_Glands_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Types_of_Salivary_Glands|salivary glands]] and the frequent exteriorisation of the [[Soft_Palate_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|soft palate]].

** This frothing is generally attributed to increased secretion of the [[Oral_Cavity_-_Salivary_Glands_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Types_of_Salivary_Glands|salivary glands]] and the frequent exteriorisation of the [[Soft_Palate_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|soft palate]].

=== Marking ===

==== Marking ====

This is one of the main sexual behaviours exhibited during the breeding season. It generally takes on two forms, urine spraying and smudging of poll gland secretions.  

This is one of the main sexual behaviours exhibited during the breeding season. It generally takes on two forms, urine spraying and smudging of poll gland secretions.  

==== Urine Spraying ====

===== Urine Spraying =====

* Increased in the presence of another male or when females are passing nearby.  

* Increased in the presence of another male or when females are passing nearby.  

* The tail is held under the prepucial opening for a few seconds and soaked with a stream of urine which then is sprayed by 4 to 5 beats of the tail.

* The tail is held under the prepucial opening for a few seconds and soaked with a stream of urine which then is sprayed by 4 to 5 beats of the tail.

==== Smudging ====

===== Smudging =====

* Used to disseminate the secretions of the poll gland.  

* Used to disseminate the secretions of the poll gland.  

* These secretions contain androgens and [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Pheromones|pheromones]] that are used to mark a territory.

* These secretions contain androgens and [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Attractivity_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Pheromones|pheromones]] that are used to mark a territory.

=== Female Seeking ===

==== Female Seeking ====

During the breeding season males continue to seek receptive females.

During the breeding season males continue to seek receptive females.

* Males that roam freely with females will often chase them and force them to sit down by putting pressure on the neck, even if they are not receptive.

* Males that roam freely with females will often chase them and force them to sit down by putting pressure on the neck, even if they are not receptive.

= Female =

== Female ==

== Puberty ==

=== Puberty ===

* Sexually active at 2 - 3 years of age but usually they are not bred until they are 4 years old.

* Sexually active at 2 - 3 years of age but usually they are not bred until they are 4 years old.

** If females are bred before they reach 70% of their adult body weight they run a greater risk of abortion.

** If females are bred before they reach 70% of their adult body weight they run a greater risk of abortion.

== Seasonality ==

=== Seasonality ===

* Seasonal breeders, with a relatively short breeding season.

* Seasonal breeders, with a relatively short breeding season.

* Breed at a time of low climatic temperature, rain and better grazing conditions.

* Breed at a time of low climatic temperature, rain and better grazing conditions.

== Endocrinology of Seasonality ==

=== Endocrinology of Seasonality ===

* Plasma levels of oestradiol 17β very considerably from one month to another but there does not seem to be any association between the level of this hormone and breeding activity.  

* Plasma levels of oestradiol 17β very considerably from one month to another but there does not seem to be any association between the level of this hormone and breeding activity.  

** During the breeding season the [[Endocrine_System_-_Pituitary_Gland_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|pituitary gland]] is more sensitive to and releases more LH in response to Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) release from the [[Endocrine_System_-_Hypothalamus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|hypothalamus]].

** During the breeding season the [[Endocrine_System_-_Pituitary_Gland_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|pituitary gland]] is more sensitive to and releases more LH in response to Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) release from the [[Endocrine_System_-_Hypothalamus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|hypothalamus]].

== Oestrous Behaviour ==

=== Oestrous Behaviour ===

The proportion of females displaying strong oestrus behaviour is usually small and not all the females will show all these signs, despite the presence of a [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mature follicle]]. Also, receptivity to the male can be displayed by females with no [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|follicles]] in the [[Camelids_%28LLamas_%26_Alpacas%29_-_Female_Anatomy_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Ovary|ovaries]] and for up to 7 days after [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulation]] or when pregnant and progesterone levels are high. Oestrous behaviour therefore cannot be used reliably to decide the timing of breeding.

The proportion of females displaying strong oestrus behaviour is usually small and not all the females will show all these signs, despite the presence of a [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|mature follicle]]. Also, receptivity to the male can be displayed by females with no [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|follicles]] in the [[Camelids_%28LLamas_%26_Alpacas%29_-_Female_Anatomy_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Ovary|ovaries]] and for up to 7 days after [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulation]] or when pregnant and progesterone levels are high. Oestrous behaviour therefore cannot be used reliably to decide the timing of breeding.

* lasts on average 4 - 6 days, but can vary from 1 - 21 days.

* lasts on average 4 - 6 days, but can vary from 1 - 21 days.

= Copulation =

== Copulation ==

In the UK, the aim is to mate females at around 1 year of age. As long as they are fully grown and well-nourished this results in acceptible levels of fertility and health in the mother and cria.  Once calved, the female will become receptive to the male again in 2-3 weeks.  The female should be able to conceive again if mated at this time.

In the UK, the aim is to mate females at around 1 year of age. As long as they are fully grown and well-nourished this results in acceptible levels of fertility and health in the mother and cria.  Once calved, the female will become receptive to the male again in 2-3 weeks.  The female should be able to conceive again if mated at this time.

* The duration of copulation can vary and tends to decrease as the weather becomes warmer.

* The duration of copulation can vary and tends to decrease as the weather becomes warmer.

== Erection ==

=== Erection ===

* [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Erection_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Erection]] is only achieved after the female is mounted in a sitting position and the penis is not fully extended until after [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Copulatory_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Intromission|intromission]] is complete.

* [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Erection_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Erection]] is only achieved after the female is mounted in a sitting position and the penis is not fully extended until after [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Copulatory_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Intromission|intromission]] is complete.

== Ejaculation ==

=== Ejaculation ===

* [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Copulatory_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Ejaculation|Ejaculation]] appears to occur almost throughout the entire duration of copulation.

* [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Copulatory_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Ejaculation|Ejaculation]] appears to occur almost throughout the entire duration of copulation.

* Semen is deposited partly [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|intra-uterine]] and partly [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|intra-cervical]] or [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vaginal]].

* Semen is deposited partly [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Uterus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|intra-uterine]] and partly [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|intra-cervical]] or [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|vaginal]].

= Paddock Mating =

== Paddock Mating ==

* Male is left to run with the females

* Male is left to run with the females

* Precise calving dates will not be known.

* Precise calving dates will not be known.

= Hand or Pen Mating =

== Hand or Pen Mating ==

* Supervised mating where the female is put into a pen with the male while mating takes place and then returned to the paddock without males.

* Supervised mating where the female is put into a pen with the male while mating takes place and then returned to the paddock without males.

** When the male is with a herd of females, he can determine the best time for mating and immediately mate the most receptive females.

** When the male is with a herd of females, he can determine the best time for mating and immediately mate the most receptive females.

= Stud Services =

== Stud Services ==

 

* One stud male can serve up to 40-60 females per year.

* One stud male can serve up to 40-60 females per year.

* Stud farms are common.

* Stud farms are common.

** May involve transporting females to the stud farm, or in some cases leasing the male to inseminate many females.

** May involve transporting females to the stud farm, or in some cases leasing the male to inseminate many females.

= The Mating Process =

== The Mating Process ==

* Male will approach with tail held high, head and neck extended towards the female.

* Male will approach with tail held high, head and neck extended towards the female.

** Male may dismount, reposition himself, and begin again.  Occasionally he will get up and move away before recommencing.

** Male may dismount, reposition himself, and begin again.  Occasionally he will get up and move away before recommencing.

== Rejection ==

=== Rejection ===

* Typically the female spits vigorously at the male to discourage his approach.

* Typically the female spits vigorously at the male to discourage his approach.

** With a persistent [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|corpus luteum]], she will continue to reject the male even if she is not pregnant.

** With a persistent [[The_Ovary_-Corpus_Luteum_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|corpus luteum]], she will continue to reject the male even if she is not pregnant.

= Timing of Mating =

== Timing of Mating ==

Timing mating so that pregnancy is most likely to result is important to avoid wasting time, effort, expense, stud male energy and sperm supply.

Timing mating so that pregnancy is most likely to result is important to avoid wasting time, effort, expense, stud male energy and sperm supply.