Reproductive performance of hair ewes and rams implanted with melatonin previous to the anestrus season in northwest Mexico

Ovine reproductive behavior depends on annual photoperiodic cycle and its impact on endogenous melatonin secretion. In this regard, exogenous melatonin administration previous to the physiological anestrus period could modify the reproductive performance of sheep in the northwest of Mexico. Two independent studies were performed to evaluate such hypothesis in hair sheep implanted with melatonin prior to the anestrus season in latitudes 24° and 25° of Mexico. Study 1 involved 15 rams assigned to one of three treatments receiving 0mg ( n =5), 18mg ( n =5), or 36mg ( n =5) of melatonin subcutaneously. Study variables were measured monthly since implantation (d0) and included testosterone concentration, scrotal circumference, mass motility, individual motility, and sperm concentration. Study 2 included 50 ewes assigned to one of two treatments receiving 0mg ( n =25) or 18mg ( n =25) of melatonin subcutaneously. In ewes, progesterone concentration and the frequency of females in anestrus were measured during the implantation (−30d), as well as at the beginning (0d) and at the end (45d) of the mating period, while pregnancy rate was determined by ultrasonography 45d after. Continuous variables were analyzed using a mixed effects model considering treatment, time, and the treatment by time interaction as fixed effects. Animal nested within treatment was the random effect. Binary variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. In males, melatonin improved testosterone and sperm concentrations ( P <0.05), while in females, a 28% higher pregnancy rate was observed in implanted ewes ( P <0.05). Therefore, melatonin enhanced reproductive parameters in both sexes and its exogenous administration previous to the anestrus season in northwest Mexico could be more effective in rams.