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

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of melatonin implantation during the slow period of cashmere growth on fibre production in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats. It was found that melatonin implantation had no effect on the growth rate of cashmere, except from February to March when the rate of treated goats (0.16 mm/d) was significantly higher than that of control goats (0.06 mm/d). However, although melatonin administration delayed the rate of decline in cashmere growth rate for one month, there was no significant increase in cashmere production in melatonin-treated goats. It is evident that melatonin implantation during the slow period of growth cannot be used to prolong cashmere growth in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats.
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Keywords: Cashmere yield, fibre characteristics, growth rate, reproductive performance