Reproductive disorders of male camelids

Abstract

Unlike the cattle and sheep industries, there are no standards for male breeding soundness examination classifications in camelids. Some guidelines have been cited in the literature as to minimum requirements for testicular size and semen quality; however, many males, outside of South America, are bred to few females, and may produce offspring despite any observed abnormalities in testes size or semen quality. Maximal reproductive performance is often not required of these males. Furthermore, males are often selected as a herd sire based on pedigree, fiber quality, conformation, or show performance, and not on reproductive parameters.