Single melatonin treatment improves reproductive performance of Singharey goats during non-breeding season under sub-tropical condition of North East India

Abstract The effect of single subcutaneous melatonin (MEL) administration on reproductive performance in Singharey goats during the non-breeding season was studied. Forty clinically healthy female goats were selected and divided into four groups (control, MEL - 10, MEL - 20 and MEL - 40) of 10 animals each. Treatments were given as single subcutaneous injection of melatonin dissolved in one ml sterilized corn oil in different groups as MEL - 10 (10 mg/animal), MEL - 20 (20 mg/animal) and MEL - 40 (40 mg/animal). Control group was injected with placebo (one ml sterilized corn oil per animal). Oestrus induction response was 20 %, 80 %, 100 % and 30 % in control, MEL - 10, MEL - 20 and MEL - 40, respectively. Time interval to oestrus following melatonin treatment was minimum in MEL - 10 (11.25 ± 0.12 days) and maximum in control group (16 ± 5.00 days). Kidding rate was significantly (P 0.05). Serum MEL concentrations in the treated groups of goats increased significantly and the peak concentration was recorded on day 12 post treatments and thereafter it decreased sharply to reach the basal level on day 40 post treatment. The serum progesterone concentration was significantly (P