Document Type

Report

Report Number

SHEEP 87-3

Publication Date

1987

Summary

The yearly anestrous period in sheep is a point at which productivity in the ewe may be increased. A producer may take advantage of higher out-of-season lamb markets and more efficient use of buildings, labor and resources if a successful method to stimulate earlier cyclic activity could be achieved.
Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in response to shortening day length, has the potential to induce estrus earlier in the breeding season. Under normal conditions (as day length decreases during the fall), the pineal gland will increase the production of melatonin. As a melatonin levels increase, the ewe will gradually move

Number of Pages

3

Type

text

Format

application/pdf

Language

en

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 1987 South Dakota State University

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