Academic literature on the topic 'Female alpacas'

Ovulation in camelids is induced by an unidentified protein in the seminal plasma of the male termed ‘ovulation-inducing factor’. This protein has been reported to be a 14-kDa protein under reducing conditions, which, when purified from seminal plasma, induces ovulation in llamas. The identification of this protein and investigation of its potential to induce ovulation in camelids may aid the development of protocols for the induction of ovulation. In the present study, alpaca seminal plasma proteins were separated using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the most abundant protein of 14 kDa was identified as β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Female alpacas (n = 5 per group) were given intramuscular injections of: (1) 1 mL of 0.9% saline; (2) 4 µg buserelin, a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist; (3) 2 mL alpaca seminal plasma; or (4) 1 mg human β-NGF. Ovulation was detected by transrectal ultrasonography 8 days after treatment and confirmed by plasma progesterone concentrations. Ovulation occurred in 0%, 80%, 80% and 80% of animals treated with saline, buserelin, seminal plasma and β-NGF, respectively. Treatment type did not affect the diameter of the corpus luteum, but plasma progesterone concentrations were lower in saline-treated animals than in the other treatment groups owing to the lack of a corpus luteum. The present study is the first to identify the ovulation-inducing factor protein in alpacas. β-NGF successfully induces ovulation in alpacas and this finding may lead to new methods for the induction of ovulation in camelids.

Ovulation in camelids is induced by the seminal plasma protein ovulation-inducing factor (OIF), recently identified as β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF). The present study measured the total protein concentration in alpaca seminal plasma using a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein quantification assay and found it to be 22.2 ± 2.0 mg mL–1. To measure the effects of varying doses of β-NGF on the incidence and timing of ovulation, corpus luteum (CL) size and plasma progesterone concentration, 24 female alpacas were synchronised and treated with either: (1) 1 mL 0.9% saline (n = 5); (2) 4 µg buserelin (n = 5); (3) 1 mg β-NGF protein (n = 5); (4) 0.1 mg β-NGF (n = 5); or (5) 0.01 mg β-NGF (n = 4). Females were examined by transrectal ultrasonography at 1–2-h intervals between 20 and 45 h after treatment or until ovulation occurred, as well as on Day 8 to observe the size of the CL, at which time blood was collected to measure plasma progesterone concentrations. Ovulation was detected in 0/5, 5/5, 5/5, 3/5 and 0/4 female alpacas treated with saline, buserelin, 1, 0.1 and 0.01 mg β-NGF, respectively. Mean ovulation interval (P = 0.76), CL diameter (P = 0.96) and plasma progesterone concentration (P = 0.96) did not differ between treatments. Mean ovulation interval overall was 26.2 ± 1.0 h. In conclusion, buserelin and 1 mg β-NGF are equally effective at inducing ovulation in female alpacas, but at doses ≤0.1 mg, β-NGF is not a reliable method for the induction of ovulation.

Controversy exists regarding characteristics of follicular waves in llamas and alpacas. Lactational status has been shown to influence follicular dynamics, but the effects of species and nutrition have not been critically examined. A 2 × 2 experimental design was used to determine the effects of species (llama v. alpaca) and nutritional status (high-plane v. low-plane) on ovarian follicular wave dynamics. Adult female llamas (n = 16) and alpacas (n = 19), ≥ 3 years old, were assigned randomly to either a high or low plane of nutrition. Nutritional planes were defined by the grazing condition of the native pasture. The respective nutritional conditions were imposed 2 weeks before the start of the observational period. Body condition was estimated at the start of the observational period using a subjective scoring system (1 = very thin, 10 = very fat) and ovarian dynamics were monitored daily by transrectal ultrasonography for 38 days. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and are expressed as mean ± SEM. Body condition scores were not different among groups (6.9 ± 0.35 and 6.6 ± 0.19 for llamas on high and low planes of nutrition, respectively, and 7.2 ± 0.25 and 6.8 ± 0.18 for alpacas on high and low planes of nutrition, respectively). The growing phase of the dominant follicle tended (P = 0.1) to be longer in llamas than in alpacas (9.8 ± 0.47 v. 8.8 ± 0.45 days) and in animals on a high plane of nutrition than in animals on a low plane (9.6 ± 0.50 v. 8.6 ± 0.42 days). Accordingly, the maximum diameter of the dominant follicle tended to be larger in llamas than in alpacas (10.1 ± 0.37 v. 9.1 ± 0.30 mm; P = 0.06) and in animals on a high plane of nutrition than in animals on a low plane (9.9 ± 0.39 v. 9.1 ± 0.27 mm; P = 0.14). The interwave interval was similar between llamas and alpacas (16.5 ± 0.66 v. 15.6 ± 0.42 days; P = 0.29), but was longer (P < 0.01) in animals on a high plane of nutrition than in animals on a low plane (16.9 ± 0.54 v. 15.0 ± 0.44 days); there was no interaction between main effects (P = 0.31). The total lifespan (duration of detection) of the dominant follicle was similar in both llamas and alpacas (22.9 ± 0.75 v. 21.9 ± 0.73 days; P = 0.38) and in animals on a high plane of nutrition than in animals on a low plane (22.7 ± 0.78 v. 22.0 ± 0.70 days; P = 0.53). There was no interaction between main effects (P = 0.21). All females (n = 35/35, 100%) had a follicle ≥ 7 mm (ovulatory size) from Days 7 to 12 after wave emergence. In conclusion, a low plane of nutrition had a suppressive effect on dominant follicle growth, resulting in a shortened interwave interval in llamas and alpacas. The interwave interval was not significantly longer in llamas than in alpacas despite a tendency for a longer growing phase and a larger dominant follicle. Research supported by Mitchell Group’s Mallkini Alpaca Breeding and Genetic Centre and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

The objective of the study was to evaluate 4 superovulatory regimes in terms of the quantity of transferable embryos recovered. A total of 48 female alpacas, 3 to 5 years of age and located at Malkini Alpacas Farm (4100 m elevation), were distributed into 4 treatments. In treatment 1, 13 female alpacas received on Day 0 an intravaginal device containing 0.78 mg of progesterone (Cue Mate®, Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) followed immediately by an i.m injection of estradiol (1 mg of estradiol benzoate) and an i.m. injection of PGF2α (Veyx®, 0.25 mg of cloprostenol). The intravaginal device was removed on Day 7, performing at removal time an i.m. injection of estradiol. From Days 8 to 16, the alpacas received an i.m injection twice per day and 12 hours apart of pFSH (FolltropinV®, Bioniche Animal Health) in decreasing doses totaling 420 mg of pFSH; on Day 16,300 IU of eCGi.m. (Pregnecol®, Bioniche Animal Health) was injected. In treatment 2, 13 alpacas received on Day 0 an intravaginal device of progesterone followed by an i.m. injection of PGF2; from Days 5 to 9, alpacas received injections twice per day of decreasing doses of pFSH (porcine FHS) totaling 320 mg; on Day 7, the intravaginal device was removed and 500 IU i.m. of eCG was injected. In treatment 3,13 alpacas received on Day 0 an intravaginal device of progesterone followed immediately by an i.m injection of GnRH (Conceptal®, 0.0042 mg of acetate of busereline); pFSH was injected i.m. from Days 5 to 9 in decreasing doses twice per day, totaling 440 mg; the intravaginal device was removed on Day 7. In treatment 4, 9 female alpacas received on Day 0 an i.m. injection of GnRH after verifying the presence of a preovulatory follicle (>8.0 mm diameter). On Day 2, the alpacas received 1000 IU i.m. of eCG followed on Day 7 by an i.m. injection of PGF2. In all cases, the donor alpacas were evaluated by ultrasonography. The matings for treatments 1, 2, and 3 were performed twice per donor alpaca at 12-hour intervals between Days 5 and 8 of the initiation of the pFSH treatments, whereas in treatment 4 the matings were made the following day after the application of the PGF2. In treatment 1, the donor alpacas received at time of first mating an i.m injection of 3.75 mg of LH (Lutropin®, Bioniche Animal Health); in treatments 2, 3, and 4, the donors received an i.m. injection of GnRH. In all treatments, embryo collection was performed by nonsurgical method 6.5 days after first mating. There were significant differences between treatments (P < 0.05) in the mean number of CL, with treatment 4 being the highest (4.7 ± 2.63, 4.1 ± 3.05, 1.8 ± 1.8, and 6.0 ± 3.16 for treatments 1 to 4, respectively). The total number of blastocysts recovered per treatment was 7, 16, 2, and 18 for treatments 1 to 4, respectively. The superovulatory strategy followed for treatment 4 showed to be the one resulting in the highest number of transferable embryos. Further comparative evaluations between FSH and eCG treatments are recommended. Research was partially funded by the contributions of Bioniche Animal Health.

Alpacas are animals with induced ovulation, andthey show high individual variation in the symptoms, duration, and regularity of oestrus or period of female receptivity to males; their follicular phase does not end in ovulation and subsequent luteal phase unless an external stimulation such as copulation or exogenous application of an ovulation inducing hormone is applied. The objective of the present study was to compare the use of eCG v. porcine (p)FSH as superovulatory hormones for the in vivo production of embryos in alpacas that were selected as being receptive to the male and were treated with an ovulation-inducing hormone to generate a luteal phase. Twenty adult (3 to 5 years old) female alpacas, located at Mallkini, Puno, Peru (at 4100 m elevation), were used for the trial. A group of females was exposed to males to test for breeding receptivity; 20 alpacas were receptive, adopting copulatory position. Each of the selected females received 3.75 mg of LH IM (Lutropin®, Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, ON, Canada). Day 0 was then considered the date of LH injection. The 20 alpacas were then distributed into 2 treatments: Treatment 1 (T1 = 10 alpacas) received on Day 2, 1000 IU of eCG IM (Pregnecol®, Bioniche Animal Health) and on Day 7, a dose of PGF2α IM (0.263 mg of cloprostenol; Ciclar®, Andeanvet-Zoovet, Lima, Peru). Treatment 2 alpacas (T2 = 10 alpacas) received from Day 2 and up to Day 5, at 12-h interval, decreasing doses of pFSH IM (100 mg; Folltropin V®, Bioniche Animal Health) for 4 days, and on Day 7, a dose of PGF2α IM (0.263 mg of cloprostenol; Ciclar®, Andeanvet-Zoovet). All alpacas from T1 and T2 were mated twice with fertile males, the first mating at 24 h after the injection of PGF2α and the second at 12 h after the first mating. All females received a dose of GnRH IM (0.0084 mg of buserelin; Buserelina®, Andeanvet-Zoovet) at time of first mating. The embryos in both treatments were collected 6.5 days after the first mating by nonsurgical transcervical embryo flushing. There were no significant differences in the mean number of blastocysts collected per treatment (P > 0.05), being 3.0 ± 2.87 blastocyst for T1 and 1.6 ± 2.67 for T2. The number of blastocysts per treatment was 30 and 16 for T1 and T2, respectively. The results show that superovulatory treatment with eCG is more effective for the production of viable blastocysts than treatment with pFSH in alpacas treated for superovulation during the luteal phase. This work was partially funded by Bioniche Animal Health.

Preantral follicles are the largest ovarian follicle population and represent an important source of potentially competent oocytes. During the lifespan of the female this large population becomes atretic during their growth. In alpacas, there are few studies that estimate the number of preantral follicles. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the population and morphology of preantral follicles in the ovaries of fetal and adult alpacas. Ovaries from alpacas in fetal (fetus during the last third of gestation, n=5) and adult stage (3–4 years, n=5) were collected at a local slaughterhouse. The whole ovaries were individually fixed overnight at room temperature, and later dehydrated in alcohol, cleared with xylene, and embedded in paraffin. Tissue were sectioned at 7μm with a rotating microtome. Then, sections were processed and stained with periodic acid Schiff and haematoxylin. Preantral follicles were classified for their development stage as primordial, transitional, primary, or secondary, according to the layer number and form of granulosa cells. Estimation of the number of preantral follicles was made by counting all follicles in each histological section. Only follicles in which the oocyte nucleus was visible were counted. In addition, for each follicle category (n=30 per group), oocyte and follicle diameters were measured using Motic Images Plus 2.0 software. The population estimate and follicular diameter were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test with significance set at P ≤ 0.05 using SPSS v.2 2 software (IBM Corp.). A total of 2174 histologic sections were analysed. The results showed a higher (P=0.045) number of preantral follicles (80 516.1±3623.9) for fetal alpacas compared with adult alpacas (67 870.8±2267.4). Also, primordial follicles population (31 543.4±2690) and morphologically normal follicles (98.2%) were higher (P=0.04) in fetus compared with those in the adult stage (2244.7±355.37; 76.35%) respectively. On the contrary, the diameters of primordial, transitional, and primary follicles (45.34±3.76; 52.38±6.22; 59.79±5.22µm) from adult alpaca were greater (P=0.04) than those of fetal preantral follicles (33.305±7.2; 36.715±3; 77.985±15.8µm). In conclusion, the preantral follicle population declines dramatically in adult alpaca and animals of this age show an increased percentage of degenerate primordial follicles.

Preantral follicles are the largest ovarian follicle population and represent an important source of potentially competent oocytes. During the lifespan of the female this large population becomes atretic during their growth. In alpacas, there are few studies that estimate the number of preantral follicles. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the population and morphology of preantral follicles in the ovaries of fetal and adult alpacas. Ovaries from alpacas in fetal (fetus during the last third of gestation, n=5) and adult stage (3–4 years, n=5) were collected at a local slaughterhouse. The whole ovaries were individually fixed overnight at room temperature, and later dehydrated in alcohol, cleared with xylene, and embedded in paraffin. Tissue were sectioned at 7μm with a rotating microtome. Then, sections were processed and stained with periodic acid Schiff and haematoxylin. Preantral follicles were classified for their development stage as primordial, transitional, primary, or secondary, according to the layer number and form of granulosa cells. Estimation of the number of preantral follicles was made by counting all follicles in each histological section. Only follicles in which the oocyte nucleus was visible were counted. In addition, for each follicle category (n=30 per group), oocyte and follicle diameters were measured using Motic Images Plus 2.0 software. The population estimate and follicular diameter were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test with significance set at P ≤ 0.05 using SPSS v.2 2 software (IBM Corp.). A total of 2174 histologic sections were analysed. The results showed a higher (P=0.045) number of preantral follicles (80 516.1±3623.9) for fetal alpacas compared with adult alpacas (67 870.8±2267.4). Also, primordial follicles population (31 543.4±2690) and morphologically normal follicles (98.2%) were higher (P=0.04) in fetus compared with those in the adult stage (2244.7±355.37; 76.35%) respectively. On the contrary, the diameters of primordial, transitional, and primary follicles (45.34±3.76; 52.38±6.22; 59.79±5.22µm) from adult alpaca were greater (P=0.04) than those of fetal preantral follicles (33.305±7.2; 36.715±3; 77.985±15.8µm). In conclusion, the preantral follicle population declines dramatically in adult alpaca and animals of this age show an increased percentage of degenerate primordial follicles.

Two cases of pulmonary vascular anomaly in unrelated adult alpacas ( Vicugna pacos) are described. In the first case, a 9-year-old intact male alpaca presented at Oregon State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with bilateral epistaxis and died the subsequent day following severe hemorrhage from the mouth and nostrils. At necropsy, a tortuous vascular lesion was identified in the right cranial lung lobe, associated with hemorrhage into airways. In the second case, a 2-year-old female alpaca presented with postpartum anorexia, opisthotonus, and recumbency. In this second case, a similar vascular lesion was identified in the right cranial lung lobe but without associated hemorrhage. Histopathological examination of the lesion in both cases revealed numerous dilated, irregular blood vessels with marked variation in wall thickness within vessels, surrounded by foci of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Diagnoses of locally extensive pulmonary vascular anomalies (arteriovenous malformations) were made.

Alpacas, as other camelids, are inducer ovulators and FIO/NGF-β, a protein present in the seminal plasma (SP) is reported as the responsible of the ovulation (Kershaw-Young et al. 2012 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 24, 1093-1097, 10.1071/RD12039). However, limited and controversial information exists regarding characteristics of follicular wave in alpacas post-induction of ovulation with SP or other stimulus. The experiment was designed to determine the effect of 3 external stimulations on the interval to follicular wave emergence and the interval to dominant follicle. Adult female alpacas between 5 and 6 years old were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) SP (n = 6): 1 mL of SP IM; (2) hCG (n = 5): 1000 IU of hCG (Pregnyl, Organon-Holland, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), via IM; or (3) follicular ablation (FA, n = 6): animals were induced by ultrasound-guided ablation of the dominant follicle ≥7 mm. Alpacas from treatments 1 and 2 were examined by ultrasonography (Aloka SSD 500, transducer 7.5 MHz; Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) at 1- to 2-h intervals between 22 and 30 h after treatment or until ovulation occurred, whichever occurred first. All animals were evaluated by ultrasonography every day from Day 2 to Day 7 post-treatment and after that on Days 9, 12, and 15 post-treatment. Data from one alpaca (FA group) was excluded because of problems in the timing of ablation. Therefore, the total number of alpaca used was 16 (SP = 6, hCG = 5, and FA = 5). Results of the effect in external stimulation were analysed using ANOVA. In conclusion, interval to the emergence of a new follicular wave on the detection of follicles ≥3 mm and interval to dominant follicle ≥7 mm differed for FA compared with hCG but not compared with SP treatment. Table 1.Follicular wave emergence (mean ± SEM) under 3 external stimulations: seminal plasma (SP), hCG, or follicular ablation (FA)

Earlier, we validated an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for male alpacas. First, wecompared the validation data with another kit. There was a high correlation (R2 = 0.94) between these 2 kits. Second, we used thelatter kit to determine serum AMH concentrations during follicular and luteal phases of the reproductive cycle in female alpacas.There were no differences (p = 0.39) in serum AMH concentrations in alpacas (n = 11) between peak follicular and luteal phases(mean ± SEM, 1.33 ± 0.35 versus 1.18 ± 0.34 ng/ml, respectively). Third, we treated female alpacas (n = 13; 5 - 11 years) after 14-day treatment with decreasing doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of day of treatmenton serum AMH concentrations. Number of follicles (7 - 10 mm; mean ± SD [as determined via transrectal ultrasonography]) atend of treatment (12.69 ± 5.25; range: 6 - 24) was positively correlated (R2 = 0.7; p < 0.01) with serum AMH concentrations. Toconclude, the kit tested is usable for female alpacas; serum AMH concentrations were not affected by the cycle stage nor by ovariansuperstimulation treatment. Furthermore, a significant correlation between serum AMH serum concentrations and response to superstimulationsuggested that estimation of serum AMH concentrations may be valuable in determining ovarian follicular reserve.

The aim of the studies in this thesis was to develop a treatment protocol that controlled ovarian follicular growth so that the time of optimum fertility could be predicted in female alpacas. Female alpacas exhibit growth and regression of successive large follicles and typically only ovulate in response to the mating stimulus. Non-pregnant females are sexually receptive most of the time, apparently regardless of the stage of ovarian follicular growth. Conventional breeding results in slow genetic gain because matings occur at random stages of follicular development. Because of the nature of their reproductive physiology, assisted breeding technologies are poorly developed in alpacas and the Australian alpaca industry relies on transport of males and females over relatively large distances to disseminate superior genotypes. The efficiency of this form of genetic improvement would be enhanced if conception rates to a single mating could be increased. Initial studies in this thesis aimed to clarify ovarian follicular growth characteristics in nonpregnant females. An inverse relationship between the diameter of the largest follicle and the number of follicles detected supports the hypothesis that follicular growth in camelids occurs in waves. It was established that the growth characteristics of follicular waves varied within and between females. Wide variation in the interval between successive follicular waves made the use of a mean interwave interval value inappropriate. Non-pregnant alpacas had a follicle in the size range potentially capable of ovulating, but of unknown fertility, on either ovary most of the time. A second objective was to determine the relationships between sexual receptivity, mating behaviour, ovarian follicular state and mating success. It was not possible to correlate mating behaviour or ovarian status with mating success. Matings to optimise pregnancy rates in alpacas need to occur in the presence of an oestrogenic follicle that is capable of ovulation in response to mating. Simple detection of alpacas with follicles in this state was not possible and treatments to control ovarian follicular growth were therefore investigated. Attempts to control ovarian follicular waves in alpacas were focussed on inducing regression of the existing dominant follicle of unknown age and allowing emergence of a new cohort of follicles at a known time after treatment. The induction of ovulation to remove the existing dominant follicle was not considered in these studies. Single intramuscular (i.m.) injections of 1713-oestradiol (oestradiol) or oestradiol benzoate, at different doses and with and without simultaneous injection of progesterone, were unsuccessful in controlling follicular growth to allow emergence of a new follicular wave at a known time. This finding was unexpected given that oestradiol causes the regression of follicles in cattle and sheep. It was concluded that alpacas, and perhaps camelids in general, have different intra- and/or extra-ovarian mechanisms that control follicular growth and regression compared with ruminants that are spontaneous ovulators. Subsequent studies examined the effects of different protocols of progesterone treatment on ovarian follicular growth and regression. Twice daily i.m. injection of25 mg of progesterone for 21 days was effective at inducing regression of the existing dominant follicle and suppressing emergence of a new follicular wave until treatment ceased. To make the treatment more practical and reduce the number of injections required, subcutaneous implants of norgestomet and lower frequency, higher dose progesterone treatments were examined. The most practical and effective protocol for ovarian follicular control in female alpacas was provided by 200 mg progesterone injected i.m. on Days 0, 2 and 4. The majority of females treated with this protocol had a newlyemerged follicle with a diameter capable of ovulation on Day 16, 12 days after progesterone treatment ceased. Mating trials were performed on three commercial alpaca farms to compare pregnancy rates at Day 60 in females treated with the progesterone protocol and mated on Day 16 and females mated at random. Results showed that treated females were capable of ovulation, fertilisation and pregnancy, however, there was no difference in 60-day pregnancy test percentage between females receiving the Day 0-4 progesterone synchronisation protocol and females treated with oil placebo. The oocyte contained in the first dominant follicle following progesterone treatment would need to be of normal fertility in order for the progesterone-based protocol to increase pregnancy rates to a single mating. As a first step to examining oocyte integrity, oocytes were retrieved by ultrasound-guided, transvaginal aspiration on Day 17 in females treated with the progesterone protocol described above involving injections on Days 0, 2 and 4. Half of these females had an injection ofluteinising hormone (LH) on Day 16 to simulate a mating-induced LH surge. Oocytes were examined by light and electron microscopy to observe whether the cellular ultrastructure was indicative of normal maturation. Only oocytes from those females that received LH showed changes to the cellular ultrastructure indicative of normal maturation including meiotic progression (nuclear maturation) from Prophase I to Metaphase I, an increase in the width of the perivitelline space and expansion of the cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte. This finding was interpreted to suggest that the oocyte contained in the first ovulatory follicle after progesterone treatment has a normal capacity for fertilisation and embryo development competency. This thesis presents new information on ovarian follicular wave characteristics in nonpregnant female alpacas and introduces a practical protocol based on progesterone to control ovarian follicular growth. The protocol allows for fixed-time mating. The Australian alpaca industry will benefit from more efficient utilisation of genetically superior males and females and faster dissemination of improved genotypes throughout the national herd. Potential benefits include incorporation of the progesterone protocol into other assisted breeding technologies such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer and possibly the in vivo maturation of oocytes for in vitro fertilisation.

This chapter discusses how flutes are used by humans for the fertility of animals, the growing and harvesting of crops, controlling weather, and metaphorically, such as riding the winds of longing. Animal and vegetal fertility are closely related in many cultures, and flutes are often the power intermediary between them and supernatural assurance for procreation and bountiful harvests. For example, among the Usarufa in New Guinea, pigs and plants are included in the same sentence when talking about the fertility power of their secret flutes. Among the Q'eros in the southern Peruvian Andes, a vertical notched flute known as pinkuyllu is played by men with singing by women during two animal fertility rituals, Aqhata Ukyachichis for male llamas and Phallchay for female llamas and alpacas.