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The effect of melatonin on the peripheral concentrations of LH and progesterone post-oestrus and on conception rate in ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

J.H. Wallace ,
J.J. Robinson ,
S. Wigzell  and
R.P. Aitken
J.H. Wallace
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
J.J. Robinson
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
S. Wigzell
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
R.P. Aitken
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
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Extract

Previous studies have shown that for Scottish Blackface ewes kept under a natural photoperiod and exposed to the ram the daily administration of the indoleamine melatonin from June onwards advanced the breeding season and appeared to increase ovulation rate and subsequent litter size (Wigzell et al., 1986). In the primate, exposure to melatonin has been shown to stimulate progesterone production by the corpus luteum in an in vivo perfusion system (Webley & Hearn, 1987). Similarly melatonin administered at physiological concentrations stimulated progesterone production by bovine and human granulosa cell cultures (Webley & Luck, 1986).

The present experiments were carried out to determine:-

  • (a) whether or not melatonin enhances progesterone production and thereby the establishment of pregnancy and embryo survival in the ewe.

  • (b) whether melatonin acts directly on the corpus luteum or indirectly via increased activity of the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator.

  • (c) whether or not the presence of the ram in the immediate post-oestrus period alters the endocrine status of the ewe and thereby influences conception.

Type
Reproductive Physiology
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1988 , March 1988 , pp. 54
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1988

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References

Webley, G.E. & Luck, M.R. (1986) Melatonin directly stimulates the secretion of progesterone by human and bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 78, 711–717.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webley, G.E. & Hearn, J.P. (1987) Local production of progesterone by the corpus luteum of the marmoset monkey in response to perfusion with chorionic gonadotrophin and melatonin in vivo. Journal of Endocrinology 112, 449–457.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wigzell, S., Robinson, J.J., Aitken, R.P. & McKelvey, W.A.C. (1986) The effect of the oral administration of melatonin at two times of the year on ovarian activity in ewes. Animal Production 42 Abstract 53, 448–449.Google Scholar