In situ observation of the ovaries of llamas and alpacas by use of a laparoscopic technique.

A laparoscopic technique was used to observe in situ the ovaries of llamas and alpacas. Use of this technique results in minimal surgical stress and allows repetitive observation of various reproductive stages in the same animal. Ovarian follicular activity before and after breeding, time of ovulation, corpus luteum formation and regression, early embryo death, failure of ovulation, and the early events of pregnancy can be assessed quickly and safely. For 1,291 laparoscopies performed, postsurgical disturbance was not observed, and animals were released from the clinic 1 hour after laparoscopy.