Changes

* It can easily be seen dribbling down the neck of the male and has a very strong smell.

* It can easily be seen dribbling down the neck of the male and has a very strong smell.

* The area corresponding to the poll glands becomes large and darkened due to this increased activity.  

* The area corresponding to the poll glands becomes large and darkened due to this increased activity.  

* 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 & 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.

* Sniff the perineum and flank of the females and frequently display a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Pre-copulatory_Behaviour_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Flehmen_Response|flehmen response]].

* Sniff the perineum and flank of the females and frequently display a [[Reproductive_Behaviour_-_Pre-copulatory_Behaviour_- Anatomy & Physiology#Flehmen_Response|flehmen response]].

* 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.

* Seasonal breeders, with a relatively short breeding season.

* Seasonal breeders, with a relatively short breeding season.

* Outside of the breeding season mating activity ceases and the [[Camelids_%28LLamas_%26_Alpacas%29_-_Female_Anatomy_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology#Ovary|ovaries]] are inactive or only have a few, small [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|follicles]].

* Outside of the breeding season mating activity ceases and the [[Camelids_%28LLamas_%26_Alpacas%29_-_Female_Anatomy_- Anatomy & Physiology#Ovary|ovaries]] are inactive or only have a few, small [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]].

* 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.

* 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.  

* Concentrations of LH are higher during the breeding season than during the non-breeding season.

* Concentrations of LH are higher during the breeding season than during the non-breeding season.

** During the breeding season the [[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 [[Hypothalamus_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|hypothalamus]].

** During the breeding season the [[Pituitary_Gland_- Anatomy & Physiology|pituitary gland]] is more sensitive to and releases more LH in response to Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) release from the [[Hypothalamus_- Anatomy & 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 & Physiology|mature follicle]]. Also, receptivity to the male can be displayed by females with no [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicles]] in the [[Camelids_%28LLamas_%26_Alpacas%29_-_Female_Anatomy_- Anatomy & Physiology#Ovary|ovaries]] and for up to 7 days after [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] or when pregnant and progesterone levels are high. Oestrous behaviour therefore cannot be used reliably to decide the timing of breeding.

* Mounting other females

* Mounting other females

* Swelling of the vulva

* Swelling of the vulva

* Straddling the hind legs and urinating

* Straddling the hind legs and urinating

* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|Vaginal]] mucus discharge

* [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_- Anatomy & Physiology|Vaginal]] mucus discharge

* Receptivity to the male

* Receptivity to the male

* 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.

=== 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 & 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 & 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 & 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 & Physiology|intra-uterine]] and partly [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_- Anatomy & Physiology|intra-cervical]] or [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Vagina/Vestibule_- Anatomy & Physiology|vaginal]].

== Paddock Mating ==

== Paddock Mating ==

** May sniff females of the herd in turn and ignore the non-receptive ones.

** May sniff females of the herd in turn and ignore the non-receptive ones.

* Triggered by high progesterone levels in the female.

* Triggered by high progesterone levels in the female.

** 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 & Physiology|corpus luteum]], she will continue to reject the male even if she is not pregnant.

== Timing of Mating ==

== Timing of Mating ==

* If she is not pregnant, she will be expected to 'kush' to accept mating.

* If she is not pregnant, she will be expected to 'kush' to accept mating.

* Following mating she should reject the male by running or spitting.

* Following mating she should reject the male by running or spitting.

* Unless she had an [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|immature follicle]] at mating, thus did not [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulate]], this process will happen for at least 5-6 days.

* Unless she had an [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|immature follicle]] at mating, thus did not [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulate]], this process will happen for at least 5-6 days.

* As immature follicles mature, she may accept further mating in 2-3 days at which time [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulation]] may occur.

* As immature follicles mature, she may accept further mating in 2-3 days at which time [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] may occur.

* If the [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|follicle]] present at the time of mating was too mature, it will not have [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulated]] but will still have undergone [[Corpus_Luteum_Formation_-_Anatomy & Physiology|luteinization]].

* If the [[The_Ovary_-_Follicles_- Anatomy & Physiology|follicle]] present at the time of mating was too mature, it will not have [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulated]] but will still have undergone [[Corpus_Luteum_Formation_-_Anatomy & Physiology|luteinization]].

* If [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulation]] took place, the normal progesterone-dominated luteal phase of 10-12 days follows.

* If [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] took place, the normal progesterone-dominated luteal phase of 10-12 days follows.

* If there is no pregnancy, then a new follicular wave proceeds and the female becomes receptive again under the influence of oestrogen.

* If there is no pregnancy, then a new follicular wave proceeds and the female becomes receptive again under the influence of oestrogen.

* Tease the female 3-6 days after a mating.

* Tease the female 3-6 days after a mating.

* If she rejects, tease again at 10-12 days after the original mating in case there was [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|ovulation]] but no pregnancy.

* If she rejects, tease again at 10-12 days after the original mating in case there was [[The_Ovary_-_Ovulation_- Anatomy & Physiology|ovulation]] but no pregnancy.

[[Category:Reproductive System]]

[[Category:Reproductive System]]