STUDIES ON ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE SERUM LEVELS IN THE FEMALE ALPACA

Cristian Patino

doi:10.7273/000002438

Camelids are important production animals in many areas of the world. Poor reproductive performance is a major problem in camelid medicine. However it still remains understudied. Abnormal follicular growth and the hormonal mechanisms related to ovarian activity are involved in most reproductive disorders. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is essential for understanding the variation in reproductive potential as demonstrated in several domestic species. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the determination of basal AMH serum levels and its variation during different stages of the cycle, under superovulation as well as in females with ovarian hypoplasia/dysgenesis. In the first chapter, a comparative literature review on AMH was performed with the aim of knowing the current knowledge and potential use to predict the fertility in females. In the first study, a commercial ELISA AMH kit was validated for female alpacas and then use to determine the variation of AMH levels between peak of follicular development and post-ovulation. The results of this experiment showed that AMH serum levels remain constant between estrus and diestrus. There was a large individual variation amongst females in serum AMH concentrations. In the second study, the effect of superovulation on AMH serum levels and ovarian response was studied. Thirteen female alpacas were synchronized with GnRH (50 µg, Cystorelin®, Merial, Dulth, GA, USA) and progesterone vaginal implants (CIDR, Easy breed®, 0.3 mg progesterone, Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI) and superstimulated with porcine FSH (Folltropin® , Vetoquinol USA Inc, Fort Worth TX). The main results of this study showed that there was not significant difference in serum AMH concentrations within an animal and there was a significant difference amongst females along the study. Also, there was a correlation between AMH levels and the number of follicles after superovulation. In the third study, the clinical diagnosis and histological feature of ovarian hypoplasia/dysgenesis was investigated. Five maiden female alpacas with history of infertility were examined by transrectal ultrasonography and exploratory laparoscopy. Once the lack of ovarian activity was confirmed, blood samples were obtained for cytogenetic evaluation and AMH serum concentration determination. The results obtained reveal that only one female presented a minute chromosome and various histological variants can be present in cases of ovarian hypoplasia/dysgenesis. In addition, AMH levels were scientifically lower compare to control multiparous females. These studies showed that AMH can be used as a predictor of fertility in cyclic female alpacas and those under super ovulatory treatments by estimating the follicular reserve with a single sample. In addition, AMH serum concentrations can also be used as a method to confirm ovarian hypoplasia/dysgenesis without a surgical approach. A bigger number of animals are needed to confirm this result.

STUDIES ON ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE SERUM LEVELS IN THE FEMALE ALPACA

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