Effect of Regulin(r) implants on spring fertility, lactation and
down growth of cashmere does
R.W. Moore, M.L. Bigham and L.D. Staples
MAFTech, Whatawhata Research Centre, Hamilton and Regulin Ltd,
222 Kingsway, South Melbourne, Australia
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1989, 49: 39-42
The effect of treatment with melatonin (Regulin(r)) implants on
spring down growth, oestrus and conception rates was examined in dry
does (n=84), while the effect of this treatment on down growth,
lactation and kid growth rates was examined lactating does (n=109).
Treated does were implanted 3 times at 8 weekly intervals starting in
early September. The animals were shorn and fleeces sampled on 26
January. Regulin(r) melatonin treatment increased down weight by 43%, 92%
and 88% in dry hoggets, dry mixed-age and lactating mixed-age does,
respectively, and increased down diameter by 6%, 2% and 4% and total
fleece weight by 22%, 29% and 30% respectively. The down weight of the
untreated lactating does (12.3g) was half that of the untreated dry does
(24.3g).
The lactating mixed-age does kidded from 30 August to 29 September, 4
does kidded before the first implant. Regulin(r) treatment had no effect
on the appearance of milk secretions or the weaning weight of kids.
Fertile bucks were joined from 6 October to 20 October and from 24
November to 8 December to the dry does. There was 1 mating mark and
pregnancy in the treated does in the first joining period and no mating
marks in either groups in the second period.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Cashmere does; melatonin; Regulin(r); spring down growth;
lactation; oestrus; conception
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Last Updated 18-03-1997
