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Endocrine changes during early pregnancy in the alpaca
M A Aba1, P W Bravo, M Forsberg
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Animal Reproduction Science
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Early pregnancy in alpacas shows a decline in progesterone and estradiol-17 beta after day 8 postmating. Prostaglandin F2 alpha peaks indicate a relationship with progesterone decline during early alpaca pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Veterinary sciences
- Mammalian physiology
Background:
- Early pregnancy diagnosis in alpacas is crucial for reproductive management.
- Hormonal profiles, including progesterone, oestradiol-17 beta, and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) metabolites, are key indicators of pregnancy status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To monitor plasma concentrations of progesterone, 15-keto-13, 14-dihydroprostaglandin F2 alpha, and oestradiol-17 beta during early pregnancy in alpacas.
- To investigate the temporal relationship between hormonal changes and prostaglandin release in pregnant alpacas.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected every 15 minutes over a 4-hour period from day 8 to day 13 postmating in five pregnant alpacas.
- Plasma hormone concentrations (progesterone, oestradiol-17 beta) and prostaglandin metabolite peaks (PGF2 alpha) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Plasma oestradiol-17 beta concentrations decreased until days 10-11 and then increased until day 13.
- Progesterone concentrations declined significantly after day 8 postmating.
- PGF2 alpha metabolite peaks were detected after day 9, correlating with the progesterone decline, suggesting pulsatile release.
Conclusions:
- A decline in progesterone and distinct patterns of oestradiol-17 beta and PGF2 alpha release characterize early pregnancy in alpacas.
- PGF2 alpha peaks in pregnant alpacas may occur with similar frequency but lower magnitude compared to nonpregnant animals.