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( a ) The dromedary sire, Musehan, and the guanaco dam (no. 1) with their two-day old hybrid calf. ( b , c ) The hybrid calf, Rama, at two days and two months of age, respectively. ( d ^ f ) Comparison of the front footpads of ( d ) an adult female guanaco, ( e ) the dromedary  guanaco hybrid, and ( f ) a newborn dromedary camel calf.
Source publication
Thirty female dromedary camels were inseminated on a total of 50 occasions with 2-4 ml of fresh guanaco semen diluted with an equal volume of commercially available camel semen extender. Similarly, nine female guanacos were inseminated on 34 occasions with 4-6 ml of fresh, diluted camel semen. Only two of the dromedary females conceived; one aborte...
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The facial nerve paralysis has been reported in horses, cattle, llama and camels. The present report deals with a case of facial nerve paralysis in a 7 years old male camel.
Citations
... A stable interaction between the glycosylation pattern of trophoblast and the opposing maternal epithelium is essential to have a positive outcome (Jones & Aplin, 2009). Previously, the hybridization of dromedary camels, as an Old World camelid, with llama guanacos, as a New World camelid, was studied and showed that the maternal genome of the trophoblast of the hybrid was similar to that of the female llama parent but showed differences from the dromedary male parent trophoblast (Skidmore et al., 1999). In addition, only a low conception rate was achieved by using artificial insemination (Skidmore et al., 1999). ...
... Previously, the hybridization of dromedary camels, as an Old World camelid, with llama guanacos, as a New World camelid, was studied and showed that the maternal genome of the trophoblast of the hybrid was similar to that of the female llama parent but showed differences from the dromedary male parent trophoblast (Skidmore et al., 1999). In addition, only a low conception rate was achieved by using artificial insemination (Skidmore et al., 1999). This might indicate impaired fertilization, implantation, and/or early embryonic development. ...
... attributed to the difference in fertility between reciprocal interspecies which was previously recorded in another camelid hybridization of Old World with New World camelids (Skidmore et al., 1999). ...
This is the first study to test the embryo transfer (ET) of hybrid embryos in Old World camelids and produces a live calf from a dromedary recipient. Hybrid embryos were collected from 7 dromedary and 10 Bactrian donors, with or without ovarian super-stimulation, and transferred to dromedary recipients. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted on Day 10 post-ET by using the progesterone-ELISA test and trans-rectal ultrasonography at 1 and 2 months of gestation. The date of abortion, stillbirth, or normal calving for each pregnant recipient was recorded. Without ovarian super-stimulation, two and one recipients were pregnant at 10 days post-ET, from ♂ Bactrian X ♀ dromedary and ♂ dromedary X ♀ Bactrian, respectively. While at 2 months of gestation, only 1 recipient was diagnosed pregnant from ♂ Bactrian X ♀ dromedary. Response to ovarian super-stimulation was successful in all 4 of the tested dromedary donors and in 8 out of 10 Bactrian donors. Additionally, 4 super-stimulated Bactrian donors (40%) showed failure of ovulation. The number of super-stimulated developed follicles and recovered embryos was higher in dromedary donors compared to Bactrian donors. Ten and two recipients were diagnosed pregnant at 10 days post-ET for ♂ Bactrian X ♀ dromedary and ♂ dromedary X ♀ Bactrian, respectively. At 2 months of gestation, the number of pregnant recipients from ♂ Bactrian X♀ dromedary was reduced to 8, while the two pregnant recipients from ♂ dromedary X♀ Bactrian remained pregnant. Total early pregnancy loss (EPL) at 2 months gestation for all transferred hybrid embryos, obtained with or without ovarian super-stimulation, was 4/15 (26.6%). One healthy male calf was born from a recipient, with a total gestation period of 383 days, that received an embryo from a Bactrian male and a dromedary donor. Stillbirth was observed in six cases after 10.5-12 months of gestation and 3 cases aborted between 7-9 months of gestation due to Trypanosomiasis. In conclusion, embryo transfer of hybrid embryos in Old World camelids is successful. However, further studies are required to improve the outcome of this technology to be used for meat and milk production in camels.
... identifying the actual parents for understanding divergence and reproductive incompatibilities (Edmands, 2002). The putative parents of the hybrid specimen, P. superciliaris and the N. meleagris, are estimated to have diverged ~65 MYA (Kumar et al., 2017 (Skidmore et al., 1999). The most diverged fish hybrid was produced in the laboratory and is between Polyodon spathula (American paddlefish) and Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Russian sturgeon), estimated to have diverged ~150 MYA (Káldy et al., 2020). ...
The most diverged avian hybrid that has been documented (Numida meleagris × Penelope superciliaris) was reported in 1957. This identification has yet to be confirmed, and like most contemporary studies of hybridization, the identification was based on phenotype, which can be misleading. In this study, we sequenced the specimen in question and performed analyses to validate the specimen's parentage. We extracted DNA from the specimen in a dedicated ancient DNA facility and performed whole‐genome short‐read sequencing. We used BLAST to find Galliformes sequences similar to the hybrid specimen reads. We found that the proportion of BLAST hits mapped overwhelmingly to two species, N. meleagris and Gallus gallus. Additionally, we constructed phylogenies using avian orthologs and parsed the species placed as sister to the hybrid. Again, the hybrid specimen was placed as a sister to N. meleagris and G. gallus. Despite not being a hybrid between N. meleagris and P. superciliaris, the hybrid still represents the most diverged avian hybrid confirmed with genetic data. In addition to correcting the “record” of the most diverged avian hybrid, these findings support recent assertions that morphological and behavioral‐based identifications of avian hybrids can be error‐prone. Consequently, this study serves as a cautionary tale to researchers of hybridization. In this article, Alfieri and colleagues revisit the identification of a historic avian hybrid, and using modern genetic techniques, correct the identification, while also correcting the record of the most diverged avian hybrid.
... In our previous study of cross-species painting in camelids [25] it was observed that the size of CDR 4 was greater than in other camelids, in that part of its long arm contained more GC rich heterochromatin than in related species. This is well illustrated in a camel:guanaco hybrid animal, which is heterozygous for this heteromorphic chromosome [25,26]. These observations on the variable size of alpaca homologues were confirmed recently when we sorted the alpaca chromosomes and found that the VPA homologue of CDR 4 was in a lower position at VPA peak D in the alpaca flow karyotype than in the dromedary flow karyotype (Figs. 2 and 4). ...
Background
The history of comparative chromosome mapping is briefly reviewed, with discussion about the problem that occurs in chromosome painting when size heteromorphisms between homologues cause contamination in chromosomes sorted by flow cytometry that are used in the preparation of chromosome-specific DNA probes.
Main body
As an example, we show in the alpaca ( Vicagna pacos ) that sequencing of contaminated chromosome sorts can reveal chromosome homologies from alignment with human and mouse genome reference sequences. The procedure identifies syntenic blocks of DNA separated in the human karyotype that are associated in the closely related alpaca and dromedary ( Camelus dromedarius ) karyotypes. This example provides proof of principal for the validity of the method for comparative chromosome mapping.
Conclusion
It is suggested that the approach presented here may have application in the construction of comparative chromosome maps between distantly related taxa, such as monotremes and mammals.
... The camel and llama possessed some anatomical and physiological similarities as a similar number of diploid chromosomes, and the left horn is larger than the right one [34][35][36]. Llama has a small size, cloven hoof, and dense wool layer until tolerating a low temperature, while the camel had one broad footpad and scaly hair coat [37]. ...
Background
The 3D computed tomography produces detailed images of the digit bones in addition to the angiograph render volume 3D of the CT shows the relation between the arteries, bones, and tissues of the digit. Therefore, the present study used those imaging techniques to provide a complete description of the digit bones and arteries’ origin, distribution, and course and their relations with surrounding structures in the Dromedary Camel. Which would serve as a guide for surgeons and students in distinguishing normal digit structures. The study used eight hind limbs of four adult camels of both sexes (two males and two females), aged 9–15 years (Mean ± SD, 11.80 ± 2.59 years). The samples were injected with latex with lead oxide were undergone 3D render volume CT (128-slice multi-detector CT scanning protocol) and angiography x-rays.
Results
The blood vessels and correlated structures such as bones, tendons, and ligaments were examined using 3D CT in all directions, which was easier to view than angiography and dissected specimens. The arterial supply to the camel’s hind foot was the A. digitalis plantaris communis III. The angiography render volume 3D of CT explained the blood supply of the bones and joints of digital regions and showed a good visualization of the many digit arteries. The metatarsals, the phalanges, and the sesamoid bones were visualized. A. plantaris medialis superficialis, A. digitalis plantaris communis III, A. digitalis plantaris communis II and IV, A. interdigitalis, rami articularis medialis and lateralis to the fetlock joint, ramus medialis and ramus lateralis of the A. digitalis plantaris communis III, A. digitalis plantaris propriae III et IV abaxialis, A. digitalis plantaris propriae III et IV axialis, Ramus phalangis axialis and abaxialis of the first phalanx, Ramus phalangis axialis and abaxialis of the second and third phalanges, and A. metatarsae plantaris III were visualized. The study discovered new blood vessel sources in dromedary camels, such as the ramus articularis to the fetlock and the ramus plantaris phalangis abaxialis proximalis and distalis of the first phalanx.
Conclusions
The digital circulation angiography investigates the circulatory pattern of the camel hind digit, which can assist clinicians in diagnosing digit region affections. 3D CT explained improved visualization of bones and arteries, including many small branches in relation to surrounding structures, in some views better than others.
... Since spermatozoa are separated from seminal plasma as well as selecting the robust spermatozoa (44), the method could be beneficial in extracting camelid spermatozoa from seminal plasma. Of the different selection techniques, colloid centrifugation looks to be quite promising, at least for llama spermatozoa (10,19), and is now used regularly when preparing dromedary camel semen for reproductive biotechnologies (45). Use of a low density gradient made from a colloid designed for human spermatozoa was also reported for preparing alpaca spermatozoa (5). ...
Reproductive biotechnologies such as artificial insemination could be very useful for South American camelids, allowing widespread use of semen from breeding males with desirable genetics. However, artificial insemination is not widely employed in these species and is considered to have low overall efficiency. This is due in part to incomplete knowledge about the physiology of conception in these species, and also to challenges presented by semen collection and handling. Several recent reviews have centered on female camelid reproduction; therefore, in this review, the focus is on semen handling. Various semen collection methods are presented. Different methods of reducing seminal viscosity are compared, such as needling, enzyme treatment, and colloid centrifugation. Use of enzymes remains controversial because of widely differing results among research groups. Colloid centrifugation, particularly single layer centrifugation, has proved to be successful in facilitating development of sperm handling techniques in dromedary camels, and has also been used with llama semen. Therefore, protocols for colloid centrifugation of alpaca semen could be developed in the future.
... However, interspecies mating and fertile hybrids are observed among some species. Skidmore et al. (1999) have reported hybrids of Old and New World camelids-C. dromedarius  L. guanicoe guanacos/llama and male camel. ...
... Milestone achievements in reproduction biotechniques in camelidsYearAchievements and remarks (references) 1960 First Camelid offspring from AI in Bactrian camel(Elliot 1961(Elliot ) 1998Production of hybrids of Old and New World camelids (Skidmore et al. 1999)2002Pregnancy established from transfer of vitrified-warmed Illama (Lama glama) embryos (Aller et al. 2002); successful transfer of vitrified-warmed embryos in Llama (Aller et al. 2002)2004First offspring after transfer of frozen-thawed embryos in C. dromedarius (Skidmore et al. 2004) 2005 Birth of C. dromedarius calves from transfer of cryopreserved embryos (Nowshari et al. 2005); pregnancy/live birth from transfer of vitrified warmed C. dromedarius camel (Skidmore et al. 2005) 2006 First calf from IVM, IVF, and in vitro cultured abattoir-derived dromedary camel oocytes (Khatir and Anouassi 2006) 2010 Birth of "Injaz," the first SCNT cloned C. dromedarius camel calf, using cumulus cells as donor nuclei (Wani et al. 2010) 2016 De novo gene assembly of a domestic dromedary of North African origin (Fitak et al. 2016) 2017 Developing interspecies cloned camel embryos using oocytes from C. bactreanus, and fibroblasts from C. bactreanus and L. glama; first birth of SCNT cloned C. bactreanus using dromedary camel as source of oocytes as well as surrogate female (Wani et al. 2017) 2018 Comprehensive studies on developmental competence of SCNT cloned embryos developed from various donor cells; cumulus cells found to be more suitable donor nuclei (Wani et al. 2018), evidences that cumulus cells of antral follicles are multipotent stem cell-like cells (Saadeldin et al. 2018) 2019 First description of near-chromosome assembly of the dromedary camel (Ruvinskiy et al. 2019), diversity analysis of C. dromedaries females in Morocco (Boujenane et al. 2019), induction of superovulation in C. dromedarius (Manjinatha et al. 2019) ...
Over the past three decades, similar to equine industry, various reproduction biotechniques, viz. artificial insemination, in vitro production of embryos, and nuclear transfer cloning, are developed for camelids. Inadequate understanding of reproduction physiology, incomplete genetic cataloguing of native genotypes, and lack of oocyte and proven embryo banks are the challenges in fully utilizing the reproduction potential of camels. This chapter presents an overview of advances and the bottlenecks of assisted reproduction technologies applied to camelids. Prospects of conservation of diversity of the species are discussed.
... According to the author, the allantois is adhered to the entire chorionic surface, and the amnion is adhered to the allantois at the level of the pregnant horn. The left horn is always the largest and pregnant horn (Aba, 2014;Brown, 2000;Skidmore, Billah, Binns, Short, & Allen, 1999). ...
Macroscopic evaluation of the placenta is an essential postpartum examination in the alpaca and can be of special interest in case of abortion, premature‐ or stillbirth. Since there are not many reference values regarding macroscopic properties of normal alpaca placentas, a small descriptive study was conducted. Only placentae from normally foaling alpaca mares, giving birth to healthy crias, after a full‐term and uneventful gestation (± 350 days; range 335‐360 days) were taken into account (N = 11). Crias weighed (± SD) 7.7 ± 2.25 kg (range 5.5‐10 kg), while the mean weight of the full‐term placentas was 0.8 ± 0.19 kg, i.e. 10% of the bodyweight of the crias. The weight of the allantoamnion and chorion was 0.2 ± 0.07 kg and 0.5 ± 0.13 kg respectively. The umbilical cord length was 8.8 ± 2.84 cm and the length of the pregnant and non‐pregnant uterine horns were 69.4 ± 12.77 cm and 54.5 ± 6.81 cm respectively. The length of the corpus was 14.6 ± 4.68 cm and the distance from the umbilicus to the corpus was 18.5 ± 6.13 cm. The tissue volume of the allantoamnion was 0.14 ± 0.079 l and the chorionic volume was 0.37 ± 0.078 l. The surface area of the allantoamnion and the chorion was 87.6 ± 15.56 dm² and 72.3 ± 9.28 dm² respectively. All placentas had small calcifications either around the umbilical cord alone or around the umbilicus and blood vessels of the pregnant uterine horn. These measurements could be used to macroscopically evaluate alpaca placentas, although more research is needed to extend our knowledge of macroscopic evaluation of normal and abnormal placentas.
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... All four species of New World camelids are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring without apparent reduced fecundity, as are the two species of Old World camels (reviewed in Skidmore at al., 2001). Despite geographic separation for at least the last 11 million years, hybridization between Old and New World camelids has also been documented through the use of artificial insemination and transfer of hybrid embryos (Skidmore et al.,1999(Skidmore et al., , 2001. Fecundity of Old x New World crosses, however, is very low. ...
The four species of New World camelids and 2 species of Old World camelids derived from a common ancestor in North America. The reproductive characteristics, particularly those involving ovarian function and ovulation, are remarkably similar among the 6 living species of camelids, so much so that interspecies hybrids of nearly all possible combinations have been documented. Camelids are induced-ovulators, triggered by an ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma. The timing and mechanism of endocrine events leading to ovulation are discussed, as well as the discovery, identification and mode of action of the seminal factor responsible. The applied aspects of our present understanding are discussed with specific reference to controlled induction of ovulation, ovarian synchronization, and superovulation. Emphasis has been given to the literature on llamas and alpacas, with some reference to studies done in wild species of South American camelids and Old World camels.
... One guanaco sample (S8) was offered as 'Kamel' (camel). The family Camelidae consists of Old World camels, namely, the two-humped Bactrian (Camelus bactrianus) and the one-humped dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), and four species of New World camels: llama (Lama glama), guanaco (Lama guanicoe), alpaca (Lama pacos), and vicuña (Vicugna/Lama vicugna, Heintzman et al. 2015;Skidmore et al. 1999). Therefore, the declaration of guanaco as 'Kamel' (camel) was misleading. ...
In 2015, the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit) initiated controls of Asian buffets to verify declaration of animal species. Especially Mongolian buffets, where raw meat of partly exotic animal species is offered with side dishes and sauces, enjoy high popularity in Germany. A total of 27 samples were collected in 5 Bavarian cities including nine mammalian meat, 1 frog, 3 crocodile, 10 fish, 1 squid, 2 shrimp, and 1 mussel sample. All samples were analyzed using molecular biological methods. The animal species was identified by DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, cytochrome b or 16S ribosomal DNA with subsequent database mining. From the 27 samples, 5 were objectionable with either wrong or incomplete labelling. These included two fish samples, two samples falsely declared as zebra which were in fact beef, one guanaco sample which was depicted as camel and another guanaco sample which was marketed as llama. The results clearly show the need for continued surveillance of meat species in buffets covering a wide variety of meats and seafood.
... Notwithstanding the considerable anatomical changes that have occurred within the genus during its evolutionary spread from Asia through Europe and on down through Africa, it is noteworthy that the two endocrinological features of pregnancy that are unique to equids, development of the invasive, gonadotrophin-secreting chorionic girdle portion of the otherwise diffuse, non-invasive epitheliochorial placenta (Cole and Goss 1943) and massive hypertrophy of the fetal gonads to produce the androgen precursors (Tait et al. 1982) needed for placental aromatisation (Bhavnani et al. 1971) to form the very large quantities of oestrogens that proverbially swamp the uterine environment during the second half of gestation (Cox 1975), have persisted with only minor modifications throughout that evolutionary period. Similar preservation of unusual, genus-specific reproductive phenomena have been reported in the evolution of other genera, notably the 30-million-year separation of the Old and New World camelids (Skidmore et al. 1999), which have both maintained their mating-induced ovulation stimulated by a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like peptide present in seminal plasma (Zhao et al. 1992;Adams et al. 2005), the unequal size of their uterine horns and transuterine migration of the embryo to achieve implantation in only the left (larger) uterine horn (Skidmore et al. 1998). ...
The placenta and fetal gonads of 12 pregnant plains zebra (Equus quagga), estimated to be between 81 and 239 days of gestation, were examined. The diffuse, microcotyledonary zebra placenta appeared, developmentally, to be 3–4 weeks behind its counterpart in horse pregnancy and this, together with the presence of small and long-lived endometrial cups, low levels of zebra chorionic gonadotrophin in maternal serum and few accessory corpora lutea in the maternal ovaries during the first half of gestation, made zebra pregnancy more similar to donkey than horse pregnancy. Zebra fetal gonads enlarged after 80 days of gestation and their interstitial cells stained positively for 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17,20 lyase steroid enzymes while the trophoblast stained for aromatase. This confirmed that zebra fetal gonads, like those of the horse and donkey, can synthesise C19 androgens, which can then be aromatised by the placenta to C18 oestrogens. It is remarkable that such unusual feto–placental mechanisms of production of gonadotrophic and steroid hormones has persisted unchanged within the genus Equus despite the many physical adaptations and the considerable loss of chromosomes that have occurred during the evolution of its member species.
