EFFECT OF MELATONIN AND SHORTENED DAYLIGHT ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JORDANIAN GOATS DURING THE OUT-BREEDING SEASON
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36103/np4wfh31Keywords:
hormonal treatment; photoperiod; conception; reproductive seasonality; goats.Abstract
This study investigated the impact of melatonin (MEL) and a short photoperiod on the reproductive performance of local Jordanian goats during the out-breeding season. Forty-five nursing does and five bucks were divided into five groups: MEL with sponge (MS), MEL without sponge (M), darkness with sponge (DS), darkness without sponge (D), and a control group (C). The darkness groups were subjected to a 63-day controlled darkness program to simulate decreasing daylight hours. MEL was administered via subcutaneous implants, and the MS and DS groups received progesterone (P4)-impregnated sponges. The results showed that MEL levels significantly increased (P=0.007) in all experimental groups (MS, M, DS, and D) compared to the control group. The MS group exhibited the highest P4 levels (P=0.001). While there were no significant differences in estrus or conception rates among the groups, the MS group had the highest pregnancy rate at days 21 and 28. Fertilization rates were similar across all groups. Fecundity was comparable, but prolificacy was highest in the MS group. Hormonal treatments and reduced daylight influenced the bucks' scrotal circumference, with the MS group displaying the largest (p<0.05) scrotal circumference and the highest testosterone concentration. In conclusion, the study suggests that administering MEL to goats, particularly in combination with P4 sponges, may enhance their reproductive capacity during the out-breeding season.
References
1.Abdulhamza, J. R., K. K. Radhi, M. T. Abbas, and T. M. Al-Hamedawi, T. M. 2020. Role of melatonin hormone treatments for reproductive improvement in anestrus lactating Iraqi goats. Plant Archives, 20(2), 6942-6944.
2. Abecia, J. A., F. Forcada, and A. González-Bulnes. 2012. Hormonal control of reproduction in small ruminants. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 130 (3-4): 173-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.01.011
3.Abecia, J. A., F. Forcada, and O. Zuniga. 2002. The effect of melatonin on the secretion of progesterone in sheep and on the development of ovine embryos in vitro. Vet. Res. Commun., 26: 151-158. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1014099719034
4.Alila-Johansson, A., L. Eriksson., T. Soveri., and L. M. Laakso. 2006. The daily rhythms of melatonin and free fatty acids in goats under varying photoperiods and constant darkness. Chronobiology international, 23(3), 565–581.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07420520600650620
5.Al-Khazaleh, J. F. M. K. 2017. Goat Farming and Breeding in Jordan. Goat Science. (17) 369-378 Intech Open. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.69015.
6.Aziz, M. A. 2010. Present status of the world goat populations and their productivity. Lohmann information, 45 (2), 42.
https://d-nb.info/1008251631/34
7.Bamerny, A. O., E. Alkass, and M. S. Barwary. 2022. Reproductive performance in response to different hormonal treatments in local goats. Iraqi J. Agric. Sci., 53 (3): 604–610. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v53i3.1570
8.Bamerny, A. O., E. Alkass, and M. S. Barwary. 2023. Combined effect of flushing and hormonal treatment on reproductive performance of local goat. Iraqi J. Agric. Sci. 54 (5): 1329–1338. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v54i5.1834.
9.Boscos, C. M., F. C. Samartzi, A. G. Lymberopoulos, A. Stefanakis, and S. Belibasaki. 2003. Assessment of progesterone concentration using enzyme immunoassay, for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep and goats. Reprod. Domest. Anim., 38(3), 170-174.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0531.2003.00407.x
10.Celi, I., M. C. Gatica, J. L. Guzmán, L. Gallego-Calvo, and L.A. Zarazaga. 2013. Influence of the male effect on the reproductive performance of female Payoya goats implanted with melatonin at the winter solstice. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 137 (3–4): 183–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.01.015
11.Cetin, Y., S. Sagcan, O. Gungor, N. Ozyurtlu, and B. Uslu. 2009. Effects of cidr‐g and melatonin implants, and their combination on the efficacy of oestrus induction and fertility of Kilis goats. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 44 (4): 659–662. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.01043.x
12.Chemineau, P., B. Malpaux, J. A. Delgadillo, Y. Guérin, J. P. Ravault, J. Thimonier, and J. Pelletier. 1992. Control of sheep and goat reproduction: use of light and melatonin. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 30 (1–3): 157–84.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(92)90010-B
13.Degefa, T., M. M. Ababneh, and M. F. Moustafa. 2006. Uterine involution in the post-partum Balady goat. Veterinarski Arhiv, 76(2), 119-133.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0442.2005.00718.x
14.Delgadillo, J. A., L. I. Vélez, and J. A. Flores. 2016. Continuous light after a long-day treatment is equivalent to melatonin implants to stimulate testosterone secretion in alpine male goats. Animal 10 (4): 649–654. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731115002177
15.Delgadillo, J. A., M. E. Cortez, G. Duarte, P. Chemineau, and B Malpaux, 2004. Evidence that the photoperiod controls the annual changes in testosterone secretion, testicular and body weight in subtropical male goats. Reprod. Nut. Dev., 44(3), 183-193.
https://doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2004024
16.El-Mokadem, M.Y., A.N.M. Nour El-Din, T.A. Ramadan, A.M.A. Rashad, T.A. Taha, and M.A. Samak. 2017. Manipulation of reproductive seasonality using melatonin implantation in Anglo-Nubian does treated with controlled internal drug release and equine chorionic gonadotropin during the nonbreeding season. J. Dairy Sci., 100 (6): 5028–39.
https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12240
17.Fatet, A., M. T. Pellicer-Rubio, and B. Leboeuf, 2011. Reproductive cycle of goats. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 124(3-4), 211-219.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.08.029
18.González, F., F. Cabrera, M. Batista, N. Rodrı́guez, D. Álamo, J. Sulon, and A. Gracia, 2004. A comparison of diagnosis of pregnancy in the goat via transrectal ultrasound scanning, progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein assays. Theriogenology, 62(6), 1108-1115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.12.009
19.Güner, B., B. Öztürk, A. Ayalp, I. Kisadere, N. Saat, M. Zengin, R. Kulaksiz, and S. M. Pancarci. 2023. Effect of exogenous melatonin on metabolic profile and reproductive performance in undernourished suckling merino ewes in the early postpartum period. Turkish J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 47 (5): 425–32. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0128.4311
20.Hafez, E.S.E., and B. Hafez. 2000. Reproductive cycles. In Reproduction in Farm Animals, edited by B. Hafez and E.S.E Hafez, 1st ed., 55–67. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119265306.ch4
21.Kridli, R T, M J Tabbaa, R M Sawalha, and M G Amashe. 2005. Comparative study of scrotal circumference and semen characteristics of mountain black goat and its crossbred with Damascus goat as affected by different factors. Jordan J. Agric. Sci., 1 (1). https://archives.ju.edu.jo/index.php/jjas/article/view/1284#:~:text=Abstract,PDF
22.Kunbhar, H. K., A. A. Memon, R. A. Leghari, M. I. Memon, and N. A. Korejo. 2019. Determination of early pregnancy through plasma progesterone concentration in Kamori goat: Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan.” Pakistan Journal of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Sciences 35 (1) June): 63–66. https://pjaaevs.sau.edu.pk/index.php/ojs/article/view/317
23.Li, J., G. Tian, X. Wang, H. Tang, Y. Liu, H. Guo, Y. Yang. 2023. Effects of short photoperiod on cashmere growth, hormone concentrations and hair follicle development-related gene expression in cashmere goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 51(1), 52-61.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2022.2153853
24.Lu, C. D. 2023. The role of goats in the world: society, science, and sustainability. Small Rumin. Res., 227:107056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.107056
25.Majama, Y. B., M. Zakariah, K. A. Sanda, S. O. Asuku, M. M. Bukar, and H. D. Kwari. 2023. Sonographic changes during postpartum uterine involution in Sahel goats (Capra hircus). Sahel j. Vet. Sci., 20 (3): 16–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.54058/saheljvs.v%vi%i.397
26.Malpaux, B., M. Migaud, H. Tricoire, and p. Chemineau. 2001. Biology of mammalian photoperiodism and the critical role of the pineal gland and melatonin. J. Biol. Rhythms, 16(4), 336-347. https://doi.org/10.1177/074873001129002051
27.Mao, C., Y. Xu, L. Shi, S. Guo, X. Jin, S. Yan, and B. Shi. 2019. Effects of photoperiod change on melatonin secretion, immune function and antioxidant status of Cashmere goats. Animals, 9(10),766.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100766
28.Monteiro, A., J. M. Costa, and M. J. Lima. 2017. Goat system productions: Advantages and disadvantages to the animal, environment and farmer. Goat Science, 351-366.
https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70002.
29.Reiter, R. J., D. X. Tan, L. C. Manchester, S. D. Paredes, J. C. Mayo, and R. M. Sainz. 2009. Melatonin and reproduction revisited. Biol. Reprod., 81(3), 445-456.
https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.108.075655
30.Robertson, S. M., T. Atkinson, M. A. Friend, M. B. Allworth, and G. Refshauge. 2020. Reproductive performance in goats and causes of perinatal mortality: A Review. Anim. Prod. Sci., 60 (14): 1669–80. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20161
31.Ruminants, National Research Council (US) Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Small. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants: Sheep, Goats, Cervids, and New World Camelids. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=1FZOX5oQ7MUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=NRC+2007&ots=Tjc82R4-gq&sig=IUUW_bj2zFFbN3EJ0qNSUXua1IM.
32.Sakurai, H., and T. E. Adams. 1998. “The effect of season and melatonin on GnRH-induced LH secretion in estradiol-treated orchiectomized sheep.” J. Endocrinol., 158 (2): 277–84. https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1580277
33.Salmon, G.R., M. MacLeod, J.R. Claxton, U. Pica Ciamarra, T. Robinson, A. Duncan, and A.R. Peters. 2020. Exploring the landscape of livestock facts. Global Food Security 25:100329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2019.100329 .
34.Samir, H., A. Karen, T. Ashmawy, M. Abo-Ahmed, M. El-Sayed, and G. Watanabe. 2016. Monitoring of embryonic and fetal losses in different breeds of goats using real-time B-mode ultrasonography. Theriogenology, 85(2), 207-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.09.039
35.Samir, H., P. Nyametease, M. Elbadawy, K. Nagaoka, K. Sasaki, and G. Watanabe. 2020. Administration of melatonin improves testicular blood flow, circulating hormones, and semen quality in Shiba goats. Theriogenology, 146, 111-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.053
36.Sasa, A., P. A. Rodrigues, K. O. Nonaka, J. C. de Carvalho Balieiro, and L. A. Coelho. 2016. Plasma melatonin and progesterone profiles of Suffolk and Romney Marsh ewes implanted with melatonin during anoestrus season at lower latitudes in southern hemisphere. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 44, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.81098
37.Singh, M., S. K. Ghosh, J. K. Prasad, R. Katiyar, G. K. Das, S. K. Dhara, and M. R. Verma. 2020. Single melatonin treatment improves reproductive performance of Singharey goats during non-breeding season under sub-tropical condition of North East India. Small Rumin. Res., 192. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106232
38.Thibier, M., D. Pothelet, N. Jeanguyot, and G. De Montigny. 1981. Estrous behavior, progesterone in peripheral plasma and milk in dairy goats at onset of breeding season. J. Dairy Sci., 64 (3): 513–19. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(81)82601-X
39.Thiery, J. C., P. Chemineau, B. Malpaux, C. Viguié, H. Morello, L. Zarazaga, and J. Pelletier. 1995. The control of seasonality: a challenge to small ruminant breeding.
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122439/records/64747268425ec3c088f2b537
40.Titi, H. H., M. Alnimer, M. J. Tabbaa, and W. F. Lubbadeh. 2008. “Reproductive performance of seasonal ewes and does fed dry fat during their postpartum period. Livest. Sci., 115 (1): 34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2007.06.006
41.Titi, H. H., R. T. Kridli, and M. A. Alnimer. 2008. Estrus synchronization in sheep and goats using combinations of GnRH, progestogen and prostaglandin F2α. Reprod. Domest. Anim., November. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01309.x
42.Tölü, C., N. Yazgan, and H. I. Akbağ. 2021. Mating behavior and hormone profile in melatonin treatment for goat buck. Hayvan Bilimi ve Ürünleri Dergisi, 4(2), 153-163.
https://doi.org/10.51970/jasp.1019391
43.Tölü, C., N. Yazgan, H. I. Akbağ, I. Y. Yurtman, and T. Savaş. 2022. Effects of melatonin implants on reproductive performance of dairy sheep and dairy goats. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 57 (6): 665–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14107
44.Uyar, A., and M. Alan. 2008. “Koyunlarda Erken Anöstrüs Döneminde Melatonin Uygulamalarının Ovulasyon ve Gebelik Üzerine Etkisi. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20113074074
45.Zarazaga, L. A., I. Celi, J. L. Guzmán, and Benoit Malpaux. 2011. The response of luteinizing hormone secretion to photoperiod is modified by the level of nutrition in female mediterranean goats. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 126 (1–2): 83–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.04.017
46.Zarazaga, L.A., M.C. Gatica, I. Celi, J.L. Guzmán, and B. Malpaux. 2011. Artificial long days in addition to exogenous melatonin and daily contact with bucks stimulate the ovarian and oestrous activity in mediterranean goat females. Animal 5 (9): 1414–19. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731111000413
47.Zarazaga, L. A., I. Celi, J. L. Guzmán, and B. Malpaux. 2012. Enhancement of the male effect on reproductive performance in female mediterranean goats with long day and/or melatonin treatment. The Veterinary Journal 192 (3): 441–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.012
48.Zarazaga, L. A., B. Malpaux, L. Bodin, and P. Chemineau. 1998. The large variability in melatonin blood levels in ewes is under strong genetic influence. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism 274 (4): E607–10. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.1998.274.4.E607
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
2.jpg)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5774-5906 2.jpg)
