Effects of melatonin implantation on cashmere yield fibre characteristics duration of cashmere growth as well as growth and reproductive performance of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats

摘要

BackgroundExogenous melatonin could induce cashmere growth. However, induced growth of cashmere fleece by melatonin implants cannot be combined with the typical growth, resulting in earlier shedding followed by another cycle of cashmere growth. To address this issue, we examine the effects on the cashmere yield, fibre characteristics, and the growth and reproductive performance of cashmere goats of planned administration of melatonin.