Vicugna pacos semen collection methods and review of semen parameters using Triladyl® diluent

To evaluate three methods of collecting Vicugna pacos semen and seminal parameters using Triladyl® extender, this research was carried out from April 25 to July 9, 2023, at the Technical University of Cotopaxi, Ecuador. 9 male alpacas were selected and the effect of semen collection was evaluated using a complete manikin, artificial vagina and urine use (A), rump manikin, artificial vagina and receptive female (B), and penile deviation, artificial vagina and receptive female (C), in libido and copulation. The effect of the Triladyl® extender on the characteristics of fresh and post-thawing semen was studied. Libido and acceptance of the method were compared by multiple comparison of proportions, mounts per hour with the Duncan test, the number of ejaculates with χ2C de Yates and semen characteristics using Student's t-test for paired samples. Libido and method acceptance did not differ between methods. The mounts per hour and the number of ejaculates were higher (P< 0.05) in method C. Concentration and motility in fresh semen were higher (P < 0.05), and mortality and morpho anomalies in post-thawing semen were higher (P < 0.05). It is concluded that method C is the most optimal for semen collection and that the use of Triladyl® diluent in the freezing protocol decreased seminal concentration and motility, while it increased mortality and sperm morpho anomalies after thawing.