Melatonin for cashmere production in breeding does

K.T. O'Neill, A.J. Litherland, G. Hamilton

AgResearch, Flock House Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 1900, Bulls, New Zealand

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1992, 52: 161-164

Lactating and non-lactating does were allocated on August 1989 down lengths to seven groups. Four of the groups received a single slow release melatonin implant (Regulin) on either 16 October, 30 October, 13 November or 25 November 1989. Two groups received single implants on 16 October and 25 November or 13 November and 25 December. The seventh group was an untreated control. Total down length in all treated groups was greater than the control (p<0.005). The goats treated on 16 October had the greatest response to melatonin and produced a 45% longer down fleece than the controls.

The first fleece (16.8 ± 0.1 microns) in the treated goats was finer (p<0.01) than the second fleece (17.7 ± 0.1 microns). When combined treated fleeces were similar in fibre diameter to control fleeces (17.1 ± 0.2 microns). The first fleece in treated goats was similar in percentage yield by weight to the controls (27 ± 2%) but the second fleece was higher (p<0.05) yielding (33 ± 2%). Compared with a single implant the double implant treatment had no effect on the down length in the first fleece but the second fleece was 12 ± 0.5 mm shorter (p<0.05). Kid survival and weaning weight were not affected by melatonin treatment.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Goat; cashmere; melatonin; timing; duration; lactation.

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Last Updated 25-01-1997