This research evaluates melatonin's effect on fertility in donor heifers after embryo recovery, suggesting potential benefits.
Key Points
The aim is to determine if melatonin implants can reduce oxidative stress effects during ovarian superstimulation in donor heifers and enhance fertility outcomes.
Twenty-four donor heifers were divided into treatment and control groups.
Treatment received melatonin implants while control did not.
Blood samples were analyzed for Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS) to assess oxidative stress index (OSI).
Fertility outcomes were measured following artificial insemination (AI) and embryo collection.
TAC in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group (9.13 vs 6.94 mmol/L, p = 0.00).
TOS was significantly lower in the treatment group (7.13 vs 11.78 µmol/L, p = 0.01).
OSI was significantly lower in the treatment group (0.79 vs 1.72 AU, p = 0.00).
No significant difference in pregnancy rates between the groups (42.85% vs 30% for First AI, p = 0.678).
Pregnancy outcomes were not statistically significantly affected by the treatment.