Potential causes of reproductive losses in llamas from Jujuy Province, Argentina. Potenciales causas de pérdidas reproductivas en llamas (Lama glama) de Jujuy, Argentina

MARIN, R.E.; MORÉ, G.; BRIHUEGA, B.; CANTÓN, G.; LAMAS, H.E.

Revista Veterinaria

Universidad Nacional de Nordeste (UNNE)

Año: 2022 vol. 31 p. 63 - 68

1668-4834

The breeding of llamas (Lama glama) is an important activity of socioeconomic impact in the Puna region of the Jujuy Province, however, it has a low reproductive rate. In order to study potential causes of reproductive and perinatal losses, a native llama herd was controlled throughout the gestational stage, and rates of pregnancy, abortions, birth-deaths, teratogenesis and perinatal death were established. In addition, serological studies of brucellosis, leptospirosis, bovine viral diarrhea, bovine herpes virus, neosporosis, sarcoystosis and toxoplasmosis were realized out in females that presented pregnancy loss. The 82.8% (24/29) of reproductive losses could not be associated with infection with the viral and bacterial agents investigated. The levels of antibodies against N. caninum, T. gondii and different serovars of Leptospira sp could suggest chronic infections with a low relation to the reproductive losses detected. Astragalus garbancillo was identified among the grazing vegetation, and its consumption could be associated with the presentation of offspring weak or with deformations, and possibly abortions, being that the animals with greater exposure to its consumption, had more than 4 times greater risk of suffering peri-postnatal losses than the least exposed. Further studies are required to establish the association of these potential causes with reproductive losses, mainly abortions and teratogenicity in llamas.