AUTHOR=Pacheco Joel , Bengtsson Fanny , Killander Jakob , Franco Francisco , Lundeheim Nils , Varga Csaba , Båge Renée , Morrell Jane M. 

TITLE=Fiber quality and fertility in male alpacas in the Cusco region of Peru

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1421593

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2024.1421593

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=High testosterone levels might be associated with coarser fibre in alpacas, affecting fibre quality. In the husbandry systems employed in the Andes, males with higher libido might have an increased frequency of successful matings than males with lower libido. This study aimed to determine some of the factors affecting fibre quality in Peruvian alpacas and to evaluate the association between fibre quality and male mating behaviour. The study population consisted of 189 adult male alpacas at La Raya, Cusco, Peru, at 4400 m above sea level, belonging to the National University of San Marcos, Lima, and the National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco. Fibre samples were collected from male alpacas in September 2015; body condition score (BCS) was evaluated. After washing and drying, the fibre samples were analysed using an Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser 2000; linear regression analysis between predictor variables (location of alpacas, age, BCS, and fibre color) and fibre quality outcomes was conducted. Fertility data were available only for some males belonging to San Marcos University, consisting of hand-written records from the breeding season January to April 2015; individual fertility quotients were calculated for each male. Age was associated with fibre quality, young alpacas having the finest fibres (p < 0.05). An increased BCS was associated with  increased fibre length, fibre diameter and spinning fineness, but decreased comfort factor. (p < 0.05). White fibres were thinner (p = 0.05) than colored fibres, with lower comfort factor and spinning fineness. A significant association between the fertility quotient and the fibre fibre curvature was observed (p = 0.018).