One of the genes involved in hair fibre and hair follicle growth is the fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5). Mutation of this gene has been associated with long-haired phenotypes in several animal species, including llamas and alpacas. Blood samples were taken from 16 alpacas (9 Huacaya and 7 Suri), 6 llamas (4 Q'aras and 2 Chak'us), one vicuña and one guanaco. The polymorphisms related to fibre growth were analysed from a whole-genome sequence. The c.499≥T mutation was found to be present in both Huacaya and Suri alpaca breeds encoding a shorty protein of 166 amino acids. A one nucleotide deletion, c.351delC and a 12-nucleotide insertion (c.348_349insGCCATATAACAT) were present only in Chak’u breed llamas. This insertion encodes for a short, 119 amino acid protein, that affects the FGF5 gene and that would cause the growth of long fibres. In the case of mutation of c.499C>T, which ...

            The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of milk in alpacas and llamas, considering two agroecological zones in the case of the alpaca. 40 Huacaya alpacas and 20 female llamas that were between 40 and 45 days of lactation were used. The animal husbandry system was extensive. The composition of total solids (%), gross energy (MJ/100 g), ash (%), fat (%), non-fatty solids (%), density (g/cm3), protein (%), lactose were determined. (%), salts (%), pH, freezing point (ºC) and somatic cell count (cells/ml x 1000). It is concluded that the physicochemical composition of milk is similar between llamas and alpacas and that the agroecological zone influences the composition of milk in Huacaya alpacas.

            The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of milk in alpacas and llamas, considering two agroecological zones in the case of the alpaca. 40 Huacaya alpacas and 20 female llamas that were between 40 and 45 days of lactation were used. The animal husbandry system was extensive. The composition of total solids (%), gross energy (MJ/100 g), ash (%), fat (%), non-fatty solids (%), density (g/cm3), protein (%), lactose were determined. (%), salts (%), pH, freezing point (ºC) and somatic cell count (cells/ml x 1000). It is concluded that the physicochemical composition of milk is similar between llamas and alpacas and that the agroecological zone influences the composition of milk in Huacaya alpacas.