Reproductive biotechnology in South American camelids

Basic and applied research on physiology of reproduction in alpacas and llamas has gained much importance in the last decades because of their increasing economic value. Reproductive biotechnologywould allowpropagation of genetically superior individuals, especially those with excellent quality fiber. The objective of this review is to provide an update on the most relevant subjects related to reproductive biotechnology in female and the male. In the female, follicular synchronization, ovarian superstimulation, embryo recovery and transfer, oocyte maturation, assisted reproduction techniques (in vitro fertilization, ICSI), nuclear transfer and embryo cryopreservation are reviewed. In the male, this review concerns artificial insemination. © 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V