Publication Date
1997
Description
Alpaca have recently been introduced to the northern Peru grasslands (Jalca). Effects of two systems of grazing management, co-grazing (with sheep) under fair grassland condition (CGFC) versus exclusive grazing under good grassland condition (EGGC), upon the reproductive achievement was examined from the 6th to the 16th month of age. Each system involved 20 Huacaya animals, managed by individual herders. Availability of herbage preferred by alpaca (HMA) and animal measurements (herbage intake, liveweight, testicle size, penis release from preputial attachments, plasma testosterone) were monitored monthly. Puberty, judged by the penis release from the preputial attachments, was achieved by 7 animals in the EGGC system, compared to nil in the CGFC system. Although this achievement was positive and closely related to the rate of body growth as influenced by the feeding level, it might be subject to some underlying process of adaptation.
Citation
Pinares, C; Malpartida, E; and Cortez, S, "Effects of Two Grazing Conditions on the Reproductive Achievement of Male Alpaca in the Northern Peru Grasslands" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 60.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/60
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Two Grazing Conditions on the Reproductive Achievement of Male Alpaca in the Northern Peru Grasslands
Alpaca have recently been introduced to the northern Peru grasslands (Jalca). Effects of two systems of grazing management, co-grazing (with sheep) under fair grassland condition (CGFC) versus exclusive grazing under good grassland condition (EGGC), upon the reproductive achievement was examined from the 6th to the 16th month of age. Each system involved 20 Huacaya animals, managed by individual herders. Availability of herbage preferred by alpaca (HMA) and animal measurements (herbage intake, liveweight, testicle size, penis release from preputial attachments, plasma testosterone) were monitored monthly. Puberty, judged by the penis release from the preputial attachments, was achieved by 7 animals in the EGGC system, compared to nil in the CGFC system. Although this achievement was positive and closely related to the rate of body growth as influenced by the feeding level, it might be subject to some underlying process of adaptation.
