Effect of melatonin immunisation on liveweight gain of red deer
J.A. Duckworth, G.K. Barrell
Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Lincoln College,
Canterbury
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1989, 49: 29-34
Red deer calves (10 of each sex) were immunised at birth against
a melatonin conjugate or injected with adjuvant only (10 of each sex).
Booster injections were given on 5 occasions over the next two years and
effects of immunisation on live-weight gain, pelage and reproductive
changes were monitored throughout this period. Immunised stags were 7-
10% heavier than their controls between 9 and 11 months of age and at 16
and 20 months of age and a similar, but not significant, effect was
recorded for immunised hinds. Immunisation did not affect calving date
of the hinds, or casting date and time of stripping of the antlers in
the stags or pelage changes in deer of either sex. These results
indicate that immunisation of red deer against melatonin can modify the
seasonal pattern of liveweight changes during their first two years of
growth.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Red deer; melatonin; immunisation; liveweight gain; growth
Download abstract in text format
Last Updated 18-03-1997
