Abstract

Sustained release of melatonin from implants or microcapsules administered in October induced cashmere growth during November to March in all ten, treated, cashmere-bearing goats. The mean maximum length of the cashmere in this induced fleece ranged from 12-55mm. Another cashmere growth cycle followed between autumn and winter. In contrast, nineteen control goats grew cashmere only during the autumn-winter period. Melatonin treatment increased total mean cashmere staple length by up to 65% for treated animals compared with controls. The onset of growth of the autumn fleece in the treated goats was delayed as also was the time when maximum length was achieved on shedding occurred. Melatonin treatment should permit the shearing of the autumn fleece to be delayed, thus reducing the risk of post-shearing losses during inclement weather in late winter.

AL, Parry, DJ Paterson, AJ Litherland, AF Death, and LD Staples

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 50, , 297-300, 1990