Buffoni A, Vozzi A, Gonzalez DM, Viegas H, LaTorraca A, et al. Melatonin modifies scrotal circumference but not plasma testosterone concentrations and semen quality of rams during the seasonal anestrus at 43ºS. Biological Rhythm Research. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09291016.2015.1052649
The effect of melatonin implants on semen quality on semen samples at 43ºS has been studied. Scrotal circumference and plasma testosterone levels have also been determined.
Sixteen (experiment 1) and 12 rams (experiment 2) were used from September to December 2011 and 2012, respectively. Half of the rams were treated with melatonin (M groups), the remaining rams being the control group (C groups).
M rams presented a higher scrotal circumference than C animals (P<0.01) from 30 days after melatonin implantations up to the end of experiment 1 and from day 45 to day 75 in experiment 2. No differences between groups were detected for any of the seminal parameters under study and plasma testosterone levels.
In conclusion, the use of melatonin implants during the seasonal anoestrus at 43ºS produces a significant increment of the scrotal circumference of rams without changing seminal quality parameters of fresh and frozen/ thawed semen.
The effect of melatonin implants on semen quality on semen samples at 43ºS has been studied. Scrotal circumference and plasma testosterone levels have also been determined.
Sixteen (experiment 1) and 12 rams (experiment 2) were used from September to December 2011 and 2012, respectively. Half of the rams were treated with melatonin (M groups), the remaining rams being the control group (C groups).
M rams presented a higher scrotal circumference than C animals (P<0.01) from 30 days after melatonin implantations up to the end of experiment 1 and from day 45 to day 75 in experiment 2. No differences between groups were detected for any of the seminal parameters under study and plasma testosterone levels.
In conclusion, the use of melatonin implants during the seasonal anoestrus at 43ºS produces a significant increment of the scrotal circumference of rams without changing seminal quality parameters of fresh and frozen/ thawed semen.
