Melatonin and Fleece Growth in Australian Cashmere Goats
July 1995
in “
Small ruminant research
”
TLDR Melatonin implants affect the growth and pattern of cashmere goat fleece depending on the time of year they are given.
The study investigated the effects of melatonin implants on cashmere growth in Australian cashmere goats. Three groups of eight goats each (four males, four females) were implanted with melatonin pellets either between July and October, January and April, or were sham implanted as controls. Results showed that July implants extended the cashmere growth cycle and induced a second shorter cycle, while January implants reduced maximum fleece length by causing early cessation of growth. Melatonin implants also affected blood prolactin levels but had no impact on serum thyroxine concentrations. The study suggested that strategic melatonin implants could be a practical method to increase cashmere production in young goats.
