CRU postgraduate course: Camelid Reproduction and Reproductive Biotechnologies, 2 ECTS

Contents

After completing the course the student shall be able to:

• Describe the reproductive tract of camelids and how it compares with other domestic livestock
• Explain the effect of season on reproductive patterns
• Describe the challenges of working with reproduction in camelids
• Discuss the various reproductive biotechnologies that have been used in camelids and comment on their practical applications
• Explain how reproductive biotechnologies could be used to improve living standards and relieve poverty in developing countries

The course consisted of a series of lectures, practicals and exercises.

• Course leader: Jane Morrell, jane.morrell@slu.se
• Time: 2019-05-20 - 2019-05-24
• City: Uppsala

Schedule

Monday 20 May

9:00-9:30 Arrival and introductions (with coffee) (JM; all)

9:30-10.15 Reproductive physiology of the female camel (LS)

10:15 – 11:00 Reproductive anatomy and physiology of the male camel (CM)

11:00 – 12:00 Management of female camels in preparation for AI, and AI (LS)

Lunch (not provided)

13:00 -13:45 Examination and management of donors and recipients in preparation for ET (LS)

13:45-14:30 Manipulation of cycle for non- synchronous recipients (LS)

Coffee break

15:00-15:45 Embryo flushing, handling, grading and transfer (LS)                  

15:45 – 16:30 Embryo cooling and freezing (LS)    

16:30 – 17:00 Questions and general discussion

Tuesday 21^st May

9:00-9:45 Male examination and common reproductive disorders (CM)

9:45-10:15 Coffee break

10:15-11.00 Semen evaluation (CM)

11.05-12:00  Keeping the camel herd healthy (JV)

Lunch (not provided)

13:00-13:45 Semen preservation (CM)

13:45-14:30 Assessment of sperm-oocyte interaction (CM)

Coffee break

15:00-15.45 Tools to predict male fertility (CM)

15:45 – 16:30 Update on spermatogenesis (JV)

16:30 – 17:00 Questions and general discussion

Dinner courtesy of CRU

Wednesday 22^nd May

9:00-9:45 Reproductive anatomy and physiology in alpacas (CW)

9:45-10:15 Coffee break

10:15-11:00 Breeding management systems for alpacas (CW)

11:00-12:00 Pregnancy diagnosis (CW)

Lunch (not provided)

13:00-13:45 Reproductive problems in alpacas (JV)

13:45-14:30 Alpaca husbandry in three continents (JV, AS, CW)

Coffee break

15:00-16:00 Embryo transfer in alpacas (JV)

16:00-16:30 Update on alpaca sperm handling (AS)

16:30 – 17:00 Questions and general discussion

Thursday 23^rd May

9:00-9:45 Artificial insemination in alpacas (CK)

9.45-10.15 Coffee break

10:15-11:00 Ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma (CK)

11:00-12:00 Optimising alpaca nutrition to enhance fertility (JV)

Lunch (not provided)

13:00-18:00 Visit to an alpaca farm (Norrängen alpacas)

Friday 24^th May

9:00-10:00 Camels as dairy animals and sub-clinical mastitis in camels (DS)

Coffee break

10:30-11.00 Diagnosis of sub-clinical mastitis (ST)

11:00-12:00 Student project (to be announced)

Lunch (not provided)

13:00-13:45 To be announced

13:45-14:30 Examination

14:30-15:00 Coffee break

15:00-16:00 Round table

16:00-17:00 General discussion and course evaluation

Speakers

• LS - Lulu Skidmore
• CM - Clara Malo
• CW - Claire Whitehead
• CK - Claire Kershaw
• JV - Jane Vaughan
• AS - Alexei Santiani
• CA - Celina Abraham
• DS - Dinah Seligsohn
• ST - Sofie Tinggren