Effects of Photoperiod on Nutrient Digestibility, Hair Follicle Activity, and Cashmere Quality in Inner Mongolia White Cashmere Goats
August 2018
in “
Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences
”
TLDR Short daily photoperiods improve cashmere production in Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats.
The study examined the impact of photoperiod on Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats by comparing two groups: one exposed to natural daily photoperiods (NDPP, n=12) and the other to short daily photoperiods (SDPP, n=12). The SDPP group showed significantly higher crude protein digestibility in July, September, and October, and increased dry matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibility in September. Additionally, the SDPP group exhibited increased secondary hair follicle activity and melatonin concentration in July, as well as greater cashmere fiber length and weight in October, without any negative effects on the cashmere fibers. The study concluded that a short daily photoperiod can enhance cashmere production in these goats.