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The effect of melatonin treatment during the seasonal anoestrus on the superovulatory response and embryo production of high-prolificacy Rasa Aragonesa ewes before culling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

F. Forcada ,
J.A. Abecia  and
J.A. Valares
F. Forcada*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, University of Zaragoza, Spain
J.A. Abecia
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, University of Zaragoza, Spain
J.A. Valares
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Food Science, University of Zaragoza, Spain
*
forcada@posta.unizar.es
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Extract

The efficacy of melatonin implants inserted around the spring equinox to improve fertility and ovulation rate or litter size in Mediterranean ewes has been previously reported (Chemineau et al., 1996; Forcada et al., 2002a.), indicating the ability of the hormone to regulate the hypothalamic activity (Viguié et al., 1995). Moreover, a direct effect of melatonin on corpora lutea and embryonic development has been also reported (Wallace et al., 1988; Abecia et al., 2002). The use of prolific Rasa Aragonesa (RA) ewes (a Mediterranean breed) before culling as embryo donors has been previously tested in the breeding season (Forcada et al., 2002b.). The aim of this experiment was to improve embryo production during the seasonal anoestrus period in selected superovulated RA ewes at the end of their reproductive lives through the use of melatonin.

Type
Poster Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2003 , 2003 , pp. 82
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

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