Llama Pregnancy Testing

LLAMA PREGNANCY TESTING

Pregnancy, ovulation, and ovarian function in camelids (llama, alpaca, guanaco, vicuna, and old world camels) can be determined by a rapid, inexpensive, laboratory test for the reproductive hormone "progesterone."

Only a small amount of blood is needed for the test.
Results are available the day after we receive the sample.
Samples may be sent to us by First Class mail. We will supply sturdy PLASTIC (not glass) sample vials for the blood sample. Please use a padded envelope or small box.

Why the progesterone test works in llamas:

Llamas are induced ovulators. That is they ovulate a few days after they have been bred. A Corpus Luteum (CL) forms in the ovaries after ovulation and produces progesterone. The progesterone concentration remains high (more than 1.4ng/mL) until the last four weeks of gestation.
In a non-pregnant animal, the CL is reabsorbed within 2 weeks, decreasing the progesterone concentration to 0.1ng/mL or less.

What the results mean:

A low progesterone concentration (0.1ng/mL or less) more than a few days post breeding indicates that the llama is not pregnant. If the concentration is low 6 days post breeding, she did not ovulate, or at least did not produce a functional CL.
High concentrations (more than 1.4ng/mL) 3-9 days after breeding indicates that she has ovulated and formed a functional CL.
High concentrations 21 days or more after breeding indicate that she is pregnant at this time. We recommend a second test 45-60 days post breeding, since embryonic death is quite common into the second month of gestation. Animals should be retested at 4, 6, and 9 months post breeding. The time that an animal is open is lost profit to the owner and breeder.
A low progesterone concentration late in gestation is consistent with a llama about to give birth. Unlike most other mammals, camelids normally have a very low progesterone concentration for the last four weeks of gestation.

What problems may occur with the interpretation of test results:

Incorrect estimation of breeding date, embryonic loss, and ovarian disorders all may produce a "false positive" result. Note that gelded males, and females with no ovaries, may have slightly elevated progesterone concentrations (0.5 to 0.9ng/mL).
A few animals (about one in a thousand) carry to term with a progesterone concentration of 0.6-1.0ng/mL, and generally do so every year.
Although camelids are induced ovulators, some will ovulate spontaneously.

Additional uses for progesterone testing:

Unsuccessful breeding may occur when there is a residual progesterone concentration of 0.3ng/mL or more at breeding time. A sample drawn just prior to breeding will show if the llama is ready to ovulate.
An intermediate progesterone concentration (0.3-1.4ng/mL) generally is present in a sexually immature female or a female who lacks ovaries. It also may indicate the presence of a uterine infection in an otherwise healthy female. A retained CL, which is common in some other species, but is rare in camelids, also can cause these intermediate levels.

As we also have llamas, please feel free to call with questions regarding these most wonderful animals. We developed the test many years ago to use with our own critters and have done tens of thousands of these and other tests since then.

PROGESTERONE (CAMELID) $20.00 U.S.

For additional information regarding these wonderful animals, contact Rocky Mountain Instrumental Laboratories or the International Llama Association.

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Updated: 29 July 2010