Fibre growth of cashmere-bearing goats given melatonin in late autumn and winter

Melatonin and cashmere growth in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats

“…During the cashmere growing period, the use of exogenous melatonin could also improve cashmere growth (Mitchell et al 1991;Yue et al 2007a;Chang 2010;Cong et al 2011); however, some research works found that it resulted in the advance of the spring moult of cashmere (Chang 2010) and reduced maximum fleece length by inducing an early cessation of cashmere growth . Mitchell et al (1991) and Yue et al (2007a) demonstrated that melatonin implants during the cashmere growing period did not change the cashmere growth cycle; however, there was no significant increase in total cashmere production. Unfortunately, previous experiments have not been able to show a practical method to increase cashmere yield.…”

“…Administration of exogenous melatonin during the cashmere nongrowing period altered timing of cashmere growth cycle by inducing the cashmere growth in advance and also resulted in earlier cashmere shedding followed by another cycle of cashmere growth (Betteridge et al 1987;Litherland et al 1990;Welch et al 1990;Liu et al 1994;Liu et al 1998;Klören and Norton 1995). During the cashmere growing period, the use of exogenous melatonin could also improve cashmere growth (Mitchell et al 1991;Yue et al 2007a;Chang 2010;Cong et al 2011); however, some research works found that it resulted in the advance of the spring moult of cashmere (Chang 2010) and reduced maximum fleece length by inducing an early cessation of cashmere growth . Mitchell et al (1991) and Yue et al (2007a) demonstrated that melatonin implants during the cashmere growing period did not change the cashmere growth cycle; however, there was no significant increase in total cashmere production.…”

Effects of melatonin implantation during the slow period of cashmere growth on fibre production

“…Similarly, Mitchell et al (1991) reported that melatonin implantation (125 mg; implant insertion every two months) of reproducing cashmere-bearing female New Zealand cashmere goats (over two years old) in late autumn and winter did not delay the date of shedding. However, in the research of Dicks et al (1995), 10 juvenile (8 months old) and 10 adult feral × dairy-type female cashmere goats received continuous release melatonin implants, 18 mg on 11 December, 1 February and 1 April.…”

“…Mitchell et al (1991) found no detectable delay in shedding cashmere, while Dicks et al (1995) demonstrated that melatonin implantation caused an advance, rather than a delay, in the onset of the spring moult. In addition, Klören & Norton (1995) reported that melatonin implantation from January to April reduced the maximum fleece length compared with controls by causing an early cessation of growth.…”

“…Melatonin treatment during the slow period has been used in an attempt to delay the onset of fibre shedding (Mitchell et al, 1991;Dicks et al, 1995;Klören & Norton, 1995;Cong et al, 2011). Mitchell et al (1991) found no detectable delay in shedding cashmere, while Dicks et al (1995) demonstrated that melatonin implantation caused an advance, rather than a delay, in the onset of the spring moult.…”