Levels of 15-keto-1344-dihydro-PFG2α, Progesterone and Oestradiol-17β after Induced Ovulations in Llamas and Alpacas

Abstract

Six llamas and 6 alpacas were mated to vasectomized males; ovulation and corpus luteum formation followed. Progesterone in blood was elevated from day 5 and reached maximum concentrations of 10–20 nmol/1 on day 7–8. A rapid decline in progesterone levels occurred on day 9–10 in connection with repeated surge releases of prostaglandin F2α. Oestradiol-17β levels were > 100–200 pmol/1 during oestrus when the animals were mated. These high levels might have been caused by coital stimulation. A temporary increase was detected in connection with the rise in progesterone levels in the early luteal phase. With this exception levels of oestradiol stayed low, 20–40 pmol/1 during the luteal phase but rose in most animals after luteolysis to 40–60 pmol/1.