Does Melatonin Enhance Twin Lamb Survival in Commercial Merino Flocks in Australia?

Alyce M Lowe; David O Kleemann; Jennifer M Kelly; Andrew N Thompson; Jarryd Krog; William H E J van Wettere; Alice C Weaver

doi:10.3390/ani15070946

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Does Melatonin Enhance Twin Lamb Survival in Commercial Merino Flocks in Australia?

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Does Melatonin Enhance Twin Lamb Survival in Commercial Merino Flocks in Australia?

Alyce M Lowe, David O Kleemann, Jennifer M Kelly, Andrew N Thompson, Jarryd Krog, William H E J van Wettere and Alice C Weaver

Animals (Basel), Vol.15(7), 946

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15070946

PMID: 40218340

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Abstract

lamb growth

Merino

melatonin

gestation

lamb survival

twin

ewes

In research flocks, supplementing pregnant ewes with melatonin has been shown to be a novel approach to ameliorate parturient neurological damage and improve twin lamb survival. This study investigated the commercial applicability of melatonin supplementation for Merino flocks managed under extensive grazing conditions. Multiparous twin-bearing ewes were implanted with one melatonin implant (18 mg, Regulin®) each on two properties in South Australia and one in Western Australia (n = 585) at a median 79 days of gestation, with control ewes not implanted (n = 586). Ewes were managed as per standard protocols for each property. Lambs and ewes were counted at tail docking and weaning, and the lambs were weighed at weaning. Lamb survival was not influenced by melatonin treatment at either tail docking (p = 0.327) or weaning (p = 0.546). Across all sites, lamb survival at weaning for control and melatonin treatments was 74.7% and 74.0%, respectively, with lamb weaning weight of 27.2 ± 0.1 kg and 26.8 ± 0.1 kg (p = 0.020). These results indicate that supplementing twin-bearing Merino ewes with melatonin during mid-gestation was not a practical strategy to increase either lamb survival or weaning weight on commercial farms.

Details

Title: Does Melatonin Enhance Twin Lamb Survival in Commercial Merino Flocks in Australia?
Authors/Creators: Alyce M Lowe - Turretfield Research Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Department of Primary Industries Regions South Australia, Livestock Innovation and Welfare, Rosedale, SA 5350, Australia
David O Kleemann - South Australian Research and Development Institute
Jennifer M Kelly - South Australian Research and Development Institute
Andrew N Thompson - Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health
Jarryd Krog - Murdoch University
William H E J van Wettere - The University of Adelaide
Alice C Weaver - South Australian Research and Development Institute
Publication Details: Animals (Basel), Vol.15(7), 946
Publisher: MDPI
Number of pages: 9
Grant note: L.L.M.S. 0015 / Meat and Livestock Australia
Identifiers: 991005765131907891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Animal Production and Health
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.137 Sleep Science & Circadian Systems; 1.137.217 Circadian-Melatonin
Web Of Science research areas: Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science; Veterinary Sciences; Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science