Transport of spermatozoa and ova in female alpaca

Transport of spermatozoa and ova were studied in female alpaca. Fifteen parous females were slaughtered at 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h and 30 h after a single copulation to determine the time taken for spermatozoa to reach the oviduct. Twelve parous females were slaughtered at 4 days, 7 days and 10 days after copulation to determine when the ovum reached the uterus. Spermatozoa and ova were collected by flushing portions of the oviduct and uterus. Spermatozoa were present at the site of fertilization 6 h after copulation and remained there for up to 30 h. There was a retrograde sperm flow back to the uterus by 18 h after copulation. The utero-tubal junction was the main location where sperm were stored. Fertilized ova at the morula stage were collected from oviducts by 4 days after copulation and compacted morulae by 7 days. Blastocysts were collected from the uterine horn 10 days after copulation.