Colostrum is the first product secreted by the mammary gland to transfer immunity to the newborn, especially through immunoglobulins (Ig) G. Melatonin is an immunomodulatory factor and there is evidence that it has a direct effect on IgG production. To evaluate the effects of melatonin treatment during pregnancy, litter size and offspring sex on colostrum quality, sixty pregnant Rasa Aragonesa ewes were divided into three groups: one group received a melatonin implant at the third month of pregnancy (3M, n = 13), another group at the fourth month (4M, n = 18) and the remaining ewes were not implanted (Control, C, n = 29). Immediately after lambing, a sample of colostrum was collected and IgG, crude protein and fat content analysed. Timing of melatonin implantation (p < .001), and offspring sex (p < .01) had a significant effect on IgG concentration. Colostrum of treated ewes had a higher mean (±SEM) IgG concentration than that of the control ewes (55.54 ± 3.09 and 49.50 ± 4.36 mg/ml, respectively; p < .05), mainly because the concentration in the 4M group was significantly (p < .001) higher than it was in the other groups. The relationship between lamb sex and IgG (p < .01) and %CP (p < .05) was evident in singletons (ewes with a male lamb: 54.57 ± 5.37 mg IgG/ml, 15.42 ± 0.82%CP; ewes with a female lamb: 34.66 ± 4.30 mg/ml, 13.18 ± 0.73%CP). The presence of a female in the litter was associated with significantly (p < .01) lower colostrum IgG levels (litters with at least one female: 49.33 ± 3.42 mg/ml; litters with no females: 58.24 ± 4.00 mg/ml). Among 4M ewes, female foetuses had significantly (p < .01) lower IgG levels whether they carried singletons or multiple lambs. In conclusion, treatment with melatonin implants at the fourth month of pregnancy resulted in a higher colostrum quality based on IgG concentration.

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Background: Recent studies have shown that melatonin implants administered during pregnancy reduced neonatal lamb mortality and produced high survival rates at weaning. This study was designed to quantify the effects of melatonin implantation of ewes and lambs immediately after lambing on the growth of lambs and the quality of milk throughout lactation.Results: In experiment 1, treatment with melatonin the lambs did not have a signi cant effect on liveweight (LW) (±S.E.M.) at weaning or average daily gain (ADG) until weaning. These results were similar in experiment 2, although lambs reared by melatonin-implanted ewes presented signi cantly (P<0.05) higher LW at weaning and ADG than did lambs from control ewes. The effect of melatonin implantation of the mothers was particularly evident in male lambs, so that male lambs reared by treated ewes presented signi cantly higher LW at week 2, 3, and 4 than did male lambs reared by control ewes.The fat content of milk was signi cantly (P<0.05) higher in implanted ewes than it was in control ewes at day 45 of lactation. Protein and lactose content of milk did not differ signi cantly between groups. In experiment 3, using arti cially-reared lambs, melatonin treatment of the lambs at birth did not have a signi cant effect on LW at weaning, or ADG.Conclusions: Melatonin treatment of ewes at lambing induced a high growth rate of their lambs and increased the fat content of the milk; however, the direct treatment with melatonin of the lambs at birth did not have an effect in their growth rate.

Background: Recent studies have shown that melatonin implants administered during pregnancy reduced neonatal lamb mortality and produced high survival rates at weaning. This study was designed to quantify the effects of melatonin implantation of ewes and lambs immediately after lambing on the growth of lambs and the quality of milk throughout lactation.Results: In experiment 1, treatment with melatonin the lambs did not have a significant effect on liveweight (LW) (±S.E.M.) at weaning or average daily gain (ADG) until weaning. These results were similar in experiment 2, although lambs reared by melatonin-implanted ewes presented significantly (P<0.05) higher LW at weaning and ADG than did lambs from control ewes. The effect of melatonin implantation of the mothers was particularly evident in male lambs, so that male lambs reared by treated ewes presented significantly higher LW at week 2, 3, and 4 than did male lambs reared by control ewes. The fat content of milk was significantly (P<0.05) higher in implanted ewes than it was in control ewes at day 45 of lactation. Protein and lactose content of milk did not differ significantly between groups. In experiment 3, using artificially-reared lambs, melatonin treatment of the lambs at birth did not have a significant effect on LW at weaning, or ADG. Conclusions: Melatonin treatment of ewes at lambing induced a high growth rate of their lambs and increased the fat content of the milk; however, the direct treatment with melatonin of the lambs at birth did not have an effect in their growth rate.

The body temperature of animals can be measured by thermistors, thermocouples, or radiotelemetry devices that are implanted surgically under the skin, although the suitability of subcutaneous temperature as an indicator of core temperature can be limited because of abnormal temperature readings, probably affected by ambient temperature and animal inactivity. This study compared the use of bio-loggers designed to monitor subcutaneous temperature (Tsub), with their use embedded in intravaginal sponges to measure vaginal temperature (Tvag). Three ewes were implanted with a subcutaneous temperature bio-logger that was configured to record Tsub every 30 min for a month. Ewes were given an intravaginal sponge for 12 days two days later. Inside the sponges were installed programmed bio-loggers that measured Tvag every 5 min. The ambient temperature (Tamb) and relative humidity were monitored using mini data-loggers. Mean Tsub was lower (P < 0.001) during the day (38.02 ± 0.02 °C) than at night (38.10 ± 0.02 °C), with maximum Tsub (38.57 °C) at 20:00 h and minimum temperature (37.36 °C) at 08:00 h; however, mean Tvag was higher (P < 0.001) during the day (38.71 ± 0.01 °C) than at night (38.62 ± 0.01 °C), with maximum Tsub (39.02 °C) at 20:55 h and minimum temperature (38.33 °C) occurred at 08:25 h. Mean Tsub (38.08 ± 0.02 °C) was lower (P < 0.0001) than was Tvag (38.65 ± 0.10 °C) in the daytime and at night (P < 0.001). Both temperatures had a 24-h rhythm (P < 0.0001), but differed (P < 0.001) in the mean midline estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) (Tvag: 38.67 ± 0.02 °C, Tsub: 38.09 ± 0.02 °C), amplitude (Tvag: 0.21° ± 0.01C; Tsub: 0.25 ± 0.01 °C), and acrophase (Tvag: 18:27 ± 0.38 h, Tsub: 20:48 ± 0.44 h). The coefficient of correlation between the two temperatures, measured simultaneously for 12 d was 0.644 (P < 0.01), and between Tamb and the two physiological temperatures, measured at the same time throughout the 12 d experiment, was 0.319 (P < 0.01) for Tsub and 0.287 (P < 0.01) for Tvag. The linear regression analysis of the 24 h circadian rhythm in Tsub and Tvag indicated a high coefficient of determination with Tvag (0.9255) and a lower coefficient of determination with Tsub (0.4292). In conclusion, the integration of a mini body temperature logger into a vaginal sponge, or their subcutaneous insertion, provided a continuous and accurate record of body temperature. Furthermore, the strong correlation between mean 24 h circadian Tvag and Tamb, demonstrated the usefulness of Tvag in biometeorological studies in sheep. As an alternative to employing these devices subcutaneously, they can also can be utilized as a biomarker of core body temperature inserted in vaginal sponges.