TI: 	Melatonin for cashmere production   
   
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A.J. Litherland, D.J. Paterson, A.L. Parry, H.B. Dick, L.D.   
Staples   
   
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MAF Technology, Flock House Agriculture Centre, Private Bag,   
Bulls   
   
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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.   
1990, 50: 339-344   
   
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One hundred and eighty cashmere wethers were divided into 11   
treatment groups with 9 groups receiving a single melatonin implant at   
various dates staggered 6 weeks apart throughout the year commencing on   
22 January 1988 and finishing on 22 December 1988.  The tenth group   
received a melatonin implant at each of the treatment dates.  The   
control group received no implant.  Down lengths were collected at 1 to   
6 weekly intervals to monitor growth patterns.   
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The continuous melatonin treatment resulted in lower peak down lengths   
than controls in August while down lengths were higher than controls   
from October to January.  However the period of down growth was   
unchanged.   
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Shedding of down occurred 19 weeks after melatonin treatment in all   
groups except those treated on 15 April, 7 July and 18 August where the   
interval to shedding was shorter and in phase with the natural shedding   
cycle.  Cashmere growth was only initiated following melatonin treatment   
from 18 August to 22 December.  Treatment on 10 November increased   
cashmere production by 32 %.  This was the only treatment which   
increased cashmere production harvested in one season.   
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<B>Keywords:</B> NZSAPAB; 
goat; wether; cashmere; melatonin; timing   
   
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