Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study
The profitability of alpaca breeding depends on satisfactory reproductive results. The study aimed to analyze the frequency and causes of reproduction-related problems in alpacas, in particular miscarriages, stillbirths, preterm births, twin pregnancies, and falls of crias within 12 months after bir...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-11-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/3030 |
| _version_ | 1797469400170758144 |
|---|---|
| author | Joanna Kapustka Monika Budzyńska |
| author_facet | Joanna Kapustka Monika Budzyńska |
| author_sort | Joanna Kapustka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The profitability of alpaca breeding depends on satisfactory reproductive results. The study aimed to analyze the frequency and causes of reproduction-related problems in alpacas, in particular miscarriages, stillbirths, preterm births, twin pregnancies, and falls of crias within 12 months after birth. This analysis was carried out with the use of questionnaires completed voluntarily by 109 alpaca owners in three regions (British Isles, Continental Europe, and North America). Cases of miscarriage and stillbirths were reported from 44% and 36% of the farms, respectively. In half of the farms, the cases of falls of crias and young alpacas within 12 months after birth were reported. Preterm births were reported from almost half of the farms. A large number of alpaca owners did not identify the cause of fetal death. An important element increasing the cria survival rate of is the birth weight (the higher cria birth weight, the lower risk of perinatal complications and less necessity of bottle feeding). Crias from dams receiving mineral supplements had higher birth weight. This study indicated a relationship between fetal death and the occurrence of infectious diseases and scabies infestation in the herd. They may be potential causes of reproduction-related problems that are not discerned in time. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:19:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3b863d9407d6453aa7f139b9a000837c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:19:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-3b863d9407d6453aa7f139b9a000837c2023-11-24T03:25:58ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-11-011221303010.3390/ani12213030Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based StudyJoanna Kapustka0Monika Budzyńska1Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, PolandThe profitability of alpaca breeding depends on satisfactory reproductive results. The study aimed to analyze the frequency and causes of reproduction-related problems in alpacas, in particular miscarriages, stillbirths, preterm births, twin pregnancies, and falls of crias within 12 months after birth. This analysis was carried out with the use of questionnaires completed voluntarily by 109 alpaca owners in three regions (British Isles, Continental Europe, and North America). Cases of miscarriage and stillbirths were reported from 44% and 36% of the farms, respectively. In half of the farms, the cases of falls of crias and young alpacas within 12 months after birth were reported. Preterm births were reported from almost half of the farms. A large number of alpaca owners did not identify the cause of fetal death. An important element increasing the cria survival rate of is the birth weight (the higher cria birth weight, the lower risk of perinatal complications and less necessity of bottle feeding). Crias from dams receiving mineral supplements had higher birth weight. This study indicated a relationship between fetal death and the occurrence of infectious diseases and scabies infestation in the herd. They may be potential causes of reproduction-related problems that are not discerned in time.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/3030alpacareproductioncria survivabilityquestionnaire |
| spellingShingle | Joanna Kapustka Monika Budzyńska Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study Animals alpaca reproduction cria survivability questionnaire |
| title | Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study |
| title_full | Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study |
| title_fullStr | Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study |
| title_short | Reproductive Losses and Their Causes in Alpacas—A Survey-Based Study |
| title_sort | reproductive losses and their causes in alpacas a survey based study |
| topic | alpaca reproduction cria survivability questionnaire |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/3030 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT joannakapustka reproductivelossesandtheircausesinalpacasasurveybasedstudy AT monikabudzynska reproductivelossesandtheircausesinalpacasasurveybasedstudy |