Reproductive Biotechnologies in South American Camelids

South American camelids—including llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos—are increasingly the focus of assisted reproductive technologies aimed at genetic improvement and conservation. Semen collection and processing involve overcoming high seminal viscosity through enzymatic treatments or specialised extenders, followed by cryopreservation protocols that balance cryoprotectant concentration, cooling and thawing rates to maximise post‐thaw motility and viability. On the female side, ovarian superstimulation using follicle‐stimulating hormone and eCG facilitates multiple follicle development, enabling both in vivo embryo recovery and in vitro oocyte retrieval. In vitro maturation, fertilisation (either conventional IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and embryo culture have been adapted to camelid physiology, although embryo cryopreservation remains challenging. Embryo transfer into synchronised recipients offers a route to multiply valuable genetics and support wild species restoration. Recent advances emphasise integration of seminal plasma factors, growth factors such as β-NGF, and refined extenders to improve gamete survival. Together, these biotechnologies underpin efforts to accelerate selective breeding, safeguard genetic diversity and extend conservation measures across domestic and wild camelid populations.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A comprehensive study on alpaca sperm cryopreservation evaluated a range of diluents, egg-yolk concentrations, glycerol levels, freeze–thaw rates and storage vessels. The work identified a lactose-based extender with 5% egg yolk and glycerol, combined with 0.5 mL straws frozen 2 cm above liquid nitrogen and thawed at 37 °C, as optimal for preserving motility and viability post-thaw. Artificial insemination trials demonstrated that fertility can be achieved with papain-treated spermatozoa, though no pregnancies resulted from conventionally frozen-thawed samples, underscoring the need for further protocol refinement to secure reliable pregnancy outcomes.

Reproductive Biotechnologies in South American Camelids publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in reproductive biotechnologies in south american camelids across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cryopreservation: The process of preserving cells or tissues by cooling to subzero temperatures.

Ovarian superstimulation: Hormonal treatment to induce multiple follicle development for oocyte or embryo recovery.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF): Laboratory procedure combining oocytes and sperm to achieve fertilisation outside the body.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): Micromanipulation technique injecting a single sperm directly into an oocyte.

Ovum pick-up (OPU): Ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration of oocytes from live donor ovaries.

β-NGF (beta-nerve growth factor): A seminal plasma protein shown to enhance sperm motility and survival during cooling.

References

1. Production, Preservation, and Transfer of South American Camelid Embryos. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2017).
2. Effect of diluent type, cryoprotectant concentration, storage method and freeze/thaw rates on the post-thaw quality and fertility of cryopreserved alpaca spermatozoa. Scientific Reports (2019).
3. Effects of NGF Addition on Llama (Lama glama) Sperm Traits After Cooling. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2021).
4. Oocyte Quality, In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Development of Alpaca Oocytes Collected by Ultrasound-Guided Follicular Aspiration or from Slaughterhouse Ovaries. Animals (2022).