Llama Research Articles

Results of Schirmer tear test in clinically normal llamas (Lama glama)

To determine the normal reference range for Schirmer tear test (STT) values in clinically normal llamas (Lama glama) Nine captive llamas (Lama glama) (seven females and two males) were used in this study. Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed without chemical restraint. STT I values were evaluated in both eyes of all llamas using a commercial STT strip of a single lot number (Schirmer-Tränentest(®), Germany). STT II value was also measured in both eyes of seven female llamas. No statistically significant differences among ages or between right and left eyes were found for any of the results. The mean ± SD STT I of 18 eyes of nine llamas was 17.3 ± 1.1 mm/min (Range 15-19 mm/min). The mean ± SD STT II of 14 eyes of seven llamas was 15.4 ± 1.7 mm/min (Range 12.5-17.5 mm/min). A paired samples t-test demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the STT I and II values (P = 0.001). This study provides novel data for normal reference ranges of STT I and II values in healthy llamas. Results of this study may assist veterinarians in the diagnosis of ocular surface disease and syndromes affecting the tear film in these species.

Development of corpus luteum susceptibility to an analog of prostaglandin F2α, throughout the luteal phase in llamas (Lama glama)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the susceptibility of the corpus luteum to d-cloprostenol (synthetic analog of PGF2α) throughout the luteal phase in llamas. Female llamas (n=43) were induced to ovulate by GnRH injection in the presence of an ovulatory follicle and randomly assigned into one of six groups: control and treated with an injection of d-cloprostenol on Day 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 post GnRH. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma progesterone concentrations. There was no effect of treatment on animals injected on Day 3 or 4 post-GnRH. In animals treated on Day 5, different responses were observed. No effect of treatment was recorded in 27% of the animals whereas 55% of the llamas showed a transitory decrease followed by a recovery in plasma progesterone concentrations after d-cloprostenol injection, indicative of a resurgence of the corpus luteum, extending the luteal phase a day more than in control animals. In the remaining 18% of the animals injected on Day 5, (corresponding to those exhibiting the greatest plasma progesterone concentrations at the day of injection), complete luteolysis was observed. Plasma progesterone concentrations decreased to below 1ngml−1 24h after d-cloprostenol in llamas injected on Day 6 or 8 post-GnRH. In conclusion, the corpus luteum of llamas is completely refractory to PGF2α until Day 4 after induction of ovulation, being partially sensitive by Day 5 and fully responsive to PGF2α, by Day 6 after induction of ovulation.

Review of Llamas & Watt (2010): Language and Identities

Review of Llamas & Watt (2010): Language and Identities

Computed tomographic features of the osseous structures of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla of llamas (Lama glama)

To evaluate the osseous structures of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla of llamas (Lama glama) by use of computed tomography (CT) and establish measurement values for use in detection of abnormalities associated with the external or middle ear in llamas. 10 adult llama heads without any evidence of ear disease. Heads of 10 healthy llamas euthanized by use of a captive bolt striking the dorsal aspect of the skull were collected. Transverse images of the heads were acquired with 1-mm slice thickness, and images were reconstructed in sagittal and dorsal planes. Measurements of the bony structures of the external and middle ear of each head were obtained. The osseous external acoustic meatus curved ventrally as it tracked medially. Its narrowest portion was located at the level of the tympanic annulus. The tympanic bulla conformation differed widely from the bubble-shaped tympanic bulla in dogs and cats. The bulla was divided by the stylohyoid fossa into a larger caudolateral and a smaller caudomedial process; its interior had a honeycombed structure with pneumatized cells similar to the honeycombed appearance of the human mastoid process. Results provided new information regarding the shape and dimensions of the osseous external and middle ear structures in adult llamas without ear disease. Specific landmarks for location of the external acoustic meatus, tympanic cavity, and tympanic bulla in relation to each other were identified. Knowledge of the CT appearance of normal structures will help clinicians to identify changes attributable to middle ear otitis, external ear canal stenosis, or congenital malformations of the ear in this species.

Activity modulation of microbial enzymes by llama (Lama glama) heavy-chain polyclonal antibodies during in vivo immune responses

Since they were first described in 1993, it was found that recombinant variable fragments (rVHHs) of heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) from Camelidae have unusual biophysical properties, as well as a special ability to interact with epitopes that are cryptic for conventional Abs. It has been assumed that in vivo raised polyclonal HCAbs (pHCAbs) should behave in a similar manner than rVHHs; however, this assumption has not been tested sufficiently. Furthermore, our own preliminary work on a single serum sample from a llama immunized with a β-lactamase, has suggested that pHCAbs have no special ability to down-modulate catalytic activity. In this work, we further explored the interaction of pHCAbs from four llamas raised against two microbial enzymes and analyzed it within a short and a long immunization plan. The relative contribution of pHCAbs to serum titer was found to be low compared with that of the most abundant conventional subisotype (IgG1), during the whole immunization schedule. Furthermore, pHCAbs not only failed to inhibit the enzymes, but also activated one of them. Altogether, these results suggest that raising high titer inhibitory HCAbs is not a straightforward strategy – neither as a biotechnological strategy nor in the biological context of an immune response against infection – as raising inhibitory rVHHs.

Structural analysis of effector functions related motifs, complement activation and hemagglutinating activities in Lama glama heavy chain antibodies

Heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs), devoid of the light chains and the CH1 domain, are present in the serum of camelids. IgG2 and IgG3 are HCAbs; whereas IgG1 has the conventional structure. In order to study the immunological properties of llama HCAbs, from which to date little is known, llamas (Lama glama) HCAbs cDNA were cloned, sequenced and compared with other mammalian Igs. The sequence analysis showed that llama HCAbs cDNA organization is similar to other mammalian Igs and the presence of conserved binding motifs to Protein A, Protein G, FcγRI, FcγRIII and C1q in HCAbs were observed. In a previous work, different IgG isotypes purified by Protein A and Protein G chromatography, were assayed for their ability to fix complement. Both IgG1 and the total serum were able to fix complement, whereas IgG2 and IgG3 fixed complement even in the absence of antigen (anti-complementary activity). Therefore, in this work we performed the complement activating activity of the different IgG isotypes purified under physiological conditions using Sephadex G-150 and their ability to induce hemagglutination. Llamas were immunized with sheep red blood cells (RBC) stroma and the different isotypes were purified from sera. Whole serum and IgG1 could activate complement; however, HCAbs (IgG2+IgG3) could not, despite the presence of the C1q binding motif in their primary sequence. Unlike IgG1, the fraction corresponding to IgG2+IgG3 did not display hemagglutinating activity. Our findings suggest that HCAbs cannot crosslink efficiently with different antigens and that the C1q binding site might be hindered by the proximity of the variable domains.

ANATOMÍA MACROSCÓPICA DE LA GLÁNDULA MAMARIA DE LA LLAMA (Lama glama).

The present study aimed to identify and describe the structures of the mammary glands and related structures of the llama (Lama glama). Five adult females in lactation were embalmed using a 12% formalin solution. Superficial and deep dissections were done; comparing both sides of the glands and observing related structures as muscles, arteries, veins, nerves and lymph nodes. Macroscopic characteristics of the udder were similar to other camelids and mammals; however, there was a different arterial vessel pattern. Also, was observed the presence of the supramammary lymphatic nodule, not described in other domestic animals. The nipple presented two output ducts that join into one.

In vitro Embryo Production in Llamas (Lama glama) from In vivo Matured Oocytes with Raw Semen Processed with Androcoll‐E using Defined Embryo Culture Media

The aim of this study was to carry out in vitro fertilization using spermatozoa selected with Androcoll-E™ and to evaluate the efficiency of the culture medium DMEM-F12 for in vitro embryo development in the llama. Twelve adult females from 18 superstimulated (67%) were used as oocyte donors. They were superstimulated with 1500 IU of eCG and after 5 days, received a single dose of buserelin. Twenty hours post-injection, follicular aspiration was conducted by flank laparotomy. Semen collections were performed under general anesthesia by electroejaculation of the male. The ejaculates were processed with a solution of collagenase (0.1%) and an Androcoll-E™ column was used to improve the sample. Sixty nine COCs were recovered from 79 aspirated follicles (87% recovery). Only expanded COCs were used (n = 67); they were randomly placed in groups of 1-5 in Fertil-TALP and the sperm suspension (20 × 10(6) live spermatozoa/ml) was added to each fertilization microdroplet. After 24 h, they were randomly placed in one of two culture media: SOF (n = 34) or DMEM-F12 (n = 33) and incubated for 6 days in humidified atmosphere of 5% CO(2) , 5% O(2) and 90% N(2) at 38°C. The blastocyst rate was 20% (7/34) in SOF medium (3 hatched, 2 expanded and 2 early blastocysts) and 15% (5/33) in DMEM medium (all expanded blastocysts). In conclusion, using Androcoll-E™ it is possible to select good quality spermatozoa from llama ejaculates for in vitro fertilization and to produce blastocysts in DMEM-F12 medium. This is also the first time that hatched llama blastocysts have been produced after culture in a defined medium such as SOFaa.

Effect of forage quality on intake, chewing activity, faecal particle size distribution, and digestibility of neutral detergent fibre in sheep, goats, and llamas

This study investigated the effect of forage quality on intake, eating and ruminating activities, faecal particle size distribution, and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility in three ruminating species. The experimental design included ad libitum feeding of three ruminating species with two types of forage for two periods in a crossover design. The species included six adult, non-pregnant female Danish Landrace goats, Shropshire sheep, and Lama glama llamas with body weights of 45±5, 75±6, and 135±20kg (mean±SD), respectively. Forage included chopped artificially dried grass hay (GH) and grass seed straw (GSS). The contents of NDF in dry matter (DM) and of in situ indigestible NDF (%NDF) were 58 and 15% for GH and 81 and 28% for GSS, respectively. Total faeces were collected for five days. The faecal samples were washed in nylon bags and freeze dried before being sorted into six sieving fractions with pore sizes in the 2.4–0.1mm range and a bottom bowl. The dimension of each particle in sub-samples from each fraction was measured using image analysis. The DM intake per metabolic body weight (BW) was higher in sheep and llamas fed GH than in those animals fed GSS (P<0.05). Sheep and goats had a higher NDF intake per kg BW than did llamas when fed GSS (P<0.001). The mean and effective times spent eating per kg of DM intake, ruminating, and in total chewing per kg of DM and NDF intakes were higher when GSS was fed (P<0.05). The total daily and effective time spent chewing was higher in sheep than in goats (P<0.05). The mean daily and effective times spent chewing per kg of DM and NDF intakes were higher in goats than in sheep (P<0.05). The ratio between the basic chewing rate during eating and ruminating was lower in llamas than in goats or sheep (P<0.001) and was affected by forage type, species, and their interactions (P<0.05). The proportions of small (<0.2mm) and large particles (LP) (>1mm) were significantly reduced by feeding GSS. Feeding GH rather than GSS resulted in lower most frequent particle size, length, and width values (P<0.001) and a lower median particle size (P<0.05). NDF digestibility was highest when GH was fed (P<0.05). In conclusion, feeding low-digestible forage leads to a higher mean chewing time per kg of DM and NDF intakes and longer ruminating periods and cycles than when feeding medium-digestible forage. Feeding more digestible forage caused thinner and longer faeces particles than did feeding low-digestibility forage. The overall particle size, length, and width characteristics values in faeces did not differ between sheep, goats, and llamas, which indicates the same mechanism of selective retention of LP in the forestomach system. Across animal species and forage type, the mean particle size in faeces was negatively correlated with NDF digestibility.

The llama (Lama glama) growth hormone gene: Sequence, organization and SNP identification

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone found in most vertebrates, which has important effects on the muscular development during growth as well as on the production and composition of milk during lactation. Here, we report the sequence and organization of the GH gene, its promoter region and several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the llama (Lama glama), a domestic camelid from South America. Like in other mammals, the GH gene in the llama is organized in five exons separated by four introns. Comparison of its coding sequence with that of other cetartiodactyl species showed identities that ranged from 90.3% when compared with that of sheep to 99.1% when compared with that of camel (Camelus dromedarius). Introns were less conserved, particularly Intron C, which in the llama was found to be considerably shorter than in other species. In the promoter region, the TATA box showed a T/C substitution in the first base, also present in the camel. Other regulatory elements of the promoter region are fully conserved, except Sp1, CRE, and the proximal Pit-1 element, which present substitutions with respect to other cetartiodactyl species. Sequencing of the GH gene in a sample of 10 llamas allowed us to identify 15 SNPs, mainly located in non-coding regions. However, three of them were found in the promoter and the 5′-UTR of Exon 1, regions involved in transcription and translation processes. Moreover, in other species, intronic polymorphisms were found to be associated with growth and carcass traits. Therefore, further studies in llama herds will be necessary to infer the role of the polymorphisms found in this paper.

Experimental infection of South American camelids with bluetongue virus serotype 8

Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious, non-contagious disease of wild and domestic ruminants. It is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) and transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. Since 1998, BT has been emerging throughout Europe, threatening not only the naïve ruminant population. Historically, South American camelids (SAC) were considered to be resistant to BT disease. However, recent fatalities related to BTV in captive SAC have raised questions about their role in BTV epidemiology. Data on the susceptibility of SAC to experimental infection with BTV serotype 8 (BTV-8) were collected in an animal experiment. Three alpacas ( Vicugna pacos) and three llamas ( Lama glama) were experimentally infected with BTV-8. They displayed very mild clinical signs. Seroconversion was first measured 6–8 days after infection (dpi) by ELISA, and neutralising antibodies appeared 10–13 dpi. BTV-8 RNA levels in blood were very low, and quickly cleared after seroconversion. However, spleens collected post-mortem were still positive for BTV RNA, over 71 days after the last detection in blood samples. Virus isolation was only possible from blood samples of two alpacas by inoculation of highly sensitive interferon alpha/beta receptor-deficient (IFNAR −/−) mice. An in vitro experiment demonstrated that significantly lower amounts of BTV-8 adsorb to SAC blood cells than to bovine blood cells. Although this experiment showed that SAC are generally susceptible to a BTV-8 infection, it indicates that these species play a negligible role in BTV epidemiology.

Morphometric analysis of llama (Lama glama) sperm head

Llama production in Argentina has increased, as the international interest in breeding this type of animals has grown in the last years. Considering the great polymorphism that llama spermatozoa present at evaluation using light microscopy, the aim of this study was to objectively evaluate llama sperm head morphometry using digital morphometric analysis. Five ejaculates from each of eight males were obtained to evaluate morphometric parameters of 8000 sperm heads stained with Tinción 15(®). The following average results were obtained for each parameter: size parameters: area 20.09 μm(2), length 6.60 μm, width 4.14 μm, equivalent circle diameter 5.06 μm, curve length 5.79 μm and curve width 3.48 μm; boundary parameters: perimeter 18.54 μm and convex perimeter 17.34 μm; and shape parameters: roundness 1.28 and elongation 1.59. Morphometric parameters of sperm head were compared between ejaculates of the same male and between males. Significant differences between ejaculates of the same male were found for all parameters evaluated (P < 0.01). Significant differences between males were found for all morphometric parameters (P < 0.01) except for curve length, curve width and perimeter. The differences detected would indicate that there is not a single morphometric pattern for Lama glama sperm head, because parameter values cannot be standardised.

Single domain antibodies with VH hallmarks are positively selected during panning of llama ( Lama glama) naïve libraries

Independent variable domains with VH hallmarks have been repeatedly identified in immune and pre-immune VHH libraries. In some cases, stable independent VH domains have been also isolated in mouse and human recombinant antibody repertoires. However, we have come to realize that VHs were selected with a higher efficiency than VHHs during biopanning of a pre-immune (VHH) library. The biochemical and biophysical comparison did not indicate a presence of any feature that would favor the VH binders during the selection process. In contrast, selected VHHs seemed to be more stable than the VHs, ruling out the existence of a thermodynamically – favored VH sub-class. Therefore, we reasoned that a certain degree of thermodynamic instability may be beneficial for both displaying and expression of VH(H)s when the Sec-pathway is used for their secretion to avoid the cytoplasmic trapping of fast-folding polypeptides. Indeed, VHHs, but not VHs, were accumulated at higher concentrations when expressed fused to the dsbA leader peptide, a sequence that drives the linked polypeptides to the co-translational SRP secretion machinery. These data suggest that the thermodynamically favored VHHs can be lost during biopanning, as previously observed for DARPins and in contrast to the recombinant antibodies in scFv format.

Controlling tuberculosis in a llama (Lama glama) herd using clinical signs, tuberculin skin testing and serology

An outbreak of tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, was investigated in a small herd of llamas (Lama glama). Based on three ante-mortem diagnostic methods (clinical signs, tuberculin skin test reactions, and 'Rapid Test' serology), 12 llamas were selected for examination post-mortem. Grossly visible lesions suspicious of TB were observed in eight animals, four of which had exhibited clinical signs, one was a skin test 'reactor', and three had been seropositive. M. bovis was isolated from seven of these eight animals. Clinical signs combined with serology were found to be useful in identifying infected animals, but tuberculin skin testing had limited negative predictive value as four llamas that were subsequently confirmed as infected were not detected using this assay.

Characterization of the Microanatomy and Histopathology of Placentas From Aborted, Stillborn, and Normally Delivered Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and Llamas (Lama glama)

From 2002 to 2007, 101 camelid abortions and stillbirths were submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University (84 alpacas [Vicugna pacos], 13 llamas [Lama glama], 4 unknown). For most cases (n = 67), a cause was not determined by routine testing. Eighty-five submissions included placenta for microscopic examination, of which 55 were from abortions to unknown causes (idiopathic). Microscopic features of placentas from abortion/stillbirth were compared with those from 19 camelids delivered normally (6 alpacas, 12 llamas, 1 unknown) and with those from 4 alpaca fetuses of known gestational age collected during the dam's necropsy. The most common microscopic findings in abortion/stillbirth placentas were mineralization (n = 57) and mucinous edema (n = 27) of the chorioallantoic stroma. One or more of these features were also observed in 22 of 23 placentas from normal pregnancies/deliveries and therefore interpreted as incidental findings. The comparison of alpaca placentas after matching for gestational parameters (crown-rump length, weight, days of gestation; n = 41) revealed hypoplasia of placental villi in 5 of 22 idiopathic abortions and in 1 abortion due to umbilical torsion; hypoplasia was further suspected in an additional 6 abortions of unknown cause and 2 abortions of known cause. The identified villous hypoplasia is assumed to have resulted in placental insufficiency. When placental insufficiency is included as cause, idiopathic abortions are reduced from 66.2 to 47.9% of alpaca cases with histopathologic examination of placenta and from 66.3 to 52.5% of alpaca and llama abortions overall. This study also permitted the generation of a linear regression curve correlating alpaca fetal crown-rump length with fetal age.

Monoclonal mouse antibodies against camel immunoglobulins (65.11)

Abstract Camelid antibodies are of special interest because some of them belong to immunoglobulin subclasses (IgG2 and IgG3) which are build up only by heavy chains. To use such antibodies for practical application we need specific identification tools. Immunoglobulins llama (Lama glama) were isolated by Protein G (IgG3 and IgG1) and Protein A (IgG2) sepharose. Fab Fragments were generated from llama IgG1 by papain digestion. Balb/c mice were immunized against the three different IgG subtypes and the Fab fragments and monoclonal antibodies were produce by hybridoma technology. We were hitherto able to obtain the following purified monoclonal antibodies (moAb): - moAb reacting to all subtypes with identical binding strength, - moAb that preferentially bind the conventional IgG1, - moAb that bind only IgG1. All generated monoclonal antibodies react against immunoglobulins from new world (llama and alpaca) and old world camelids (bactrian camel and dromedary) but show no cross reactivity with immunoglobulins from other species (rat, mouse, sheep, rabbit, goat, chicken and human). The monoclonal antibodies are suitable to detect camelid antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) but not in western blots, indicating that the binding epitops are discontinuous. The production of monoclonal mouse antibodies binding to camelid heavy chain only antibodies is subject for future experiments.

A Serologic Survey of Viral Infections in Captive Ungulates in Turkish Zoos

Zoos and zoologic gardens make optimal environments for interspecies transmission of viral infections. There are seven zoos and several small zoologic collections in Turkey. This study aimed to determine the current status of viral infections in captive ungulates living in these environments. Blood samples were taken from 163 captive animals from two zoos. There were 39 Cameroon sheep (Ovis ammon f aries), 11 Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), 57 pygmy goats (Capra hircus), 9 Angora goats (Capra hircus), 21 mountain goats (Capra aegagrus-aegagrus), 7 llamas (Lama glama), 8 Persian goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa), 7 Caspian red deer (Cervus elaphus maral), 2 fallow deer (Dama dama), and 2 camels (Camelus dromedarius). Antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), bovine adenoviruses (BAV-1 and -3), parainfluenzavirus 3 (PI-3), and bluetongue viruses (BTV-4 and -9) were investigated using the virus neutralization test, and malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) antibodies were screened by ELISA. All animals were negative for BVDV and BHV-1 antibodies. Seroprevalence of BAV-1, BAV-3, PI-3, BRSV, BT-4, BT-9, and MCF were detected as follows: 46.6%, 60.1%, 0.6%, 7.3%, 1.8%, 1.2%, and 51.6%, respectively. Seroprevalence of BAVs and MCF were more common than all other viruses (P < 0.0001). Ten sheep (37.0%), 48 goats (84.2), and 1 Ilama (14.2%) were the only species positive for MCF antibodies. Prevalence of BRSV and MCF antibodies were found to be significantly higher in goats than in sheep. BTV antibodies were detected both in Cameroon sheep and mountain goats and suggest that zoo animals are at risk for BTV in endemic regions.

Prospección serológica del virus parainfluenza 3 en camélidos sudamericanos en Chile

A total of 370 sera collected from 87 alpacas (Lama pacos), 88 llamas (Lama glama), 89 guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and 106 vicunas (Vicugna vicugna) were invest...

First detection of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae" in South American Camelids of Switzerland and evaluation of prevalence

Haemotrophic mycoplasmas (also known as haemoplasmas), small bacterias which parasite the surface of erythrocytes, have been described in several species. Recently, molecular methods were developed for the diagnosis of haemoplasma infection. The presented study describes the first detection and the investigation of prevalence of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae" in South American Camelids in Switzerland. A random sample of the latter population was tested for haemoplasma infections using real-time PCR. The infection was detected in 18.6% of the animals and was found both in indigenous and in imported camelids. Of the tested herds 39,1% harboured at least one animal positive for haemoplasmas in PCR. There was no difference in prevalence between male and female animals and llamas and alpacas, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of infection was not significantly different in diseased animals compared to healthy camelids. From the latter observation and the fact that the high prevalence was accompanied by an undetectable incidence, we concluded that the pathogenicity of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae" may be low.

Spectroscopic Assessment of Soil Organic Matter in Wetlands from the High Andes

Wetlands are valuable for their function as C sinks, water conservation and filtering, flood control, and as a recreational landscape. In the Central and Southern Andes, peatlands (a.k.a., bofedales) are also a source of good quality pastures for wild and domestic South American camelids (Vicugna pacos, Lama glama, and Vicugna vicugna). In the present study, whole soil samples from seasonally and permanently flooded bofedales were analyzed using laser‐induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to assess soil organic matter (SOM) stability. The results obtained by both techniques were comparable (R2 = 0.88) and proven to be reliable indicators of increased or reduced SOM stability and thus suitable methods for assessing its humification index. The humification values determined in the permanently flooded bofedal were lower than for the seasonally flooded one. Deeper in the soil profiles of both bofedal types, the humification process of SOM attains more advanced stages, with a relative increase of more recalcitrant organic compounds. An important factor is the presence of water in permanently flooded bofedales, which slows down organic matter decomposition due to anaerobiosis. Results from a portable LIFS system also showed significant correlations when compared with both the bench LIFS system (R2 = 0.88) and the EPR (R2 = 0.62). The portable system constitutes an affordable option for the in situ characterization of SOM. This assessment is of outmost importance in agroecosystems acting as green house gases sink or sources under variable climatic conditions.