X-CHROMOSOME MONOSOMY IN AN INFERTILE FEMALE LLAMA

A 3-year-old female Ilama was examined because of a history of inferti lity and apparent anovulation. The Ilama had indifferent behavior when penned with a male, but eventually would assume sternal recumbency fo r breeding. On examination, the Ilama was underweight and small in sta ture. The uterine horns and ovaries could not be identified during pal pation or ultrasonography per rectum, and the cervix was dilated when examined with a speculum. Chromosomal preparations of lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts were performed; all cells examined had a 73, X karyot ype (X-chromosome monosomy). To our knowledge, this is the first repor t of a chromosomal anomaly in a Ilama. Signs seen in this Ilama were s imilar to those seen in mares with X-chromosome monosomy. This conditi on should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infertility i n Ilamas that fail to ovulate, especially if other abnormalities such as indifferent sexual behavior and short stature are present.