COMPARISON OF COMMERCIAL DILUENTS AND TRACE ELEMENTS ON FRESH ALPACA SEMEN (LAMA PACOS)

Abstract

The reproduction of alpacas is a research subject of interest in recent times since their condition and morphology do not cause an impact on the Andean-habitat territories. The collection of semen from male alpacas by artificial vagina is the methodology used for the best extraction of seminal material. However, conservation methods are not fully defined, therefore, analyzing the semen conservation on male alpacas with the inclusion of trace elements and commercial diluents were the subject of interest in the study. Seven male alpacas were taken, with reproductive ages between 3 - 5 yrs. with an average weight of 60 ± 1.64 kg of BW. Distributed in two random homogeneous experimental groups (SSO, male alpacas semen without trace elements, and SCO, male alpacas semen with trace elements) to analyze the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the commercial trace elements administration. In addition, were subjected to a dilution procedure with two types of registered commercial diluents (Triladyl® and AndroMed®) and a laboratory-generated diluent (Tris Yema + Glycerol ). The semen conservation process was analyzed and compared to the trace elements application and has no difference, even though there is heterogeneous research on semen conservation. The authors recommended making more scientific contributions to the inclusion of trace elements and diluents in the fresh semen of male alpacas.