Advances in the Diagnosis of Reproductive Disorders in Male Camelids

TL;DR

This paper reviews the diagnosis and management of male fertility issues in camelids, emphasizing the importance of breeding soundness exams and the challenges in semen analysis and disease testing.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of diagnostic approaches and reproductive disorders in camelids, highlighting species-specific differences and management challenges.

Findings

Congenital defects like cryptorchidism and rete testis cysts are more common in South American camelids.

Orchitis is prevalent in camels, especially in regions with brucellosis.

Testicular degeneration in camelids is linked to heat stress, aging, and steroid use.

Abstract

Male fertility and breeding soundness examination are important for all domestic animals. The article emphasizes fertility evaluation and the diagnostic approach to male fertility in camelids. Camelid male breeding soundness examination is strongly recommended. This review summarizes the outcomes of breeding soundness examinations under four main categories of congenital reproductive defects, impotentia coeundi, impotentia generandi and male reproductive emergencies. The diagnostic procedure to evaluate male fertility includes history, examination of the genitalia, ultrasonography of the reproductive tract, semen collection and evaluation, and testing for contagious diseases. Semen viscosity hinders accurate sperm motility and concentration evaluation, requiring enzymatic treatment of the ejaculate. Common reproductive disorders found in our clinical cases include rete testis cysts, testicular hypoplasia, testicular degeneration, and hydrocele. Hormonal and cytogenetic testing can be useful and are indicated in some cases. Besides veterinary medical and biological aspects, breeding male management through adequate health, nutrition, housing, and sexual use for mating or semen collection is crucial for ensuring male fertility and preventing reproductive disorders.

Male fertility is important to ensure herd health and productivity. The camelid male breeding soundness examination (BSE) is strongly recommended because natural mating remains the primary breeding method due to the challenges in semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination. Guidelines for the BSE have been proposed but not adopted in practice. The investigation of male reproductive failure includes history, general health examination, examination of the genitalia, semen evaluation, and testing for contagious diseases. Difficulties in ejaculate collection and semen viscosity are challenges in camelid male fertility investigation. This review summarizes the outcomes of BSE in our practice on South American camelids (SACs) and camels. The results and discussion are presented under four main categories: congenital defects, impotentia coeundi, impotentia generandi, and male reproductive emergencies. There is a difference between camels and SACs in the incidence of various disorders. Congenital defects are common in SACs in particular cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and rete testis cysts. Orchitis is more common in camels, particularly in areas where brucellosis is prevalent. Testicular degeneration occurs in all camelids and has been associated with heat stress, aging, systemic diseases and overuse of anabolic steroids. Precise diagnosis of fertility impairment may require disease testing, testicular biopsy, cytogenetics and endocrine evaluation. A significant proportion of males are referred because of reproductive emergencies, due to poor management, which results in loss of genetic potential. Implementation of regular BSE is possible in SACs but can be difficult in dromedaries because of the large variation in breed characteristics and management systems.

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