Melatonin supplement induced the hair follicle development in offspring rex rabbits

Previous studies have shown that the administration of melatonin (MT) to early post-natal fur-bearing animals increases the numbers of hair follicles (HFs). In this study, the effect of maternal MT supplementation on the HF development in offspring was investigated. To explore the potential underlying mechanisms, the expression of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene was determined in the offspring. The Rex rabbit was the animal model, and 79 same-day-pregnancy females were randomly assigned to either a control (n = 39) or MT treatment (n = 40) group, and 10 mg MT microcapsules was implanted at the base of the neck of rabbits in the treatment group. Skin, lung, liver, muscle, kidney, heart and duodenum samples were collected from the newborn rabbits. The results showed that MT improved fur quality in the offspring rabbits by reducing the diameter of primary and secondary HFs, and increasing the HF population. MT did not affect the reproductive performance of female rabbits, and it did affect the blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin and MT. In the offspring rabbits, MT significantly stimulatedMTNR1Agene expression in the skin and heart (p < .01), whereasMTNR1Agene expression was significantly suppressed in the liver and kidney (p < .05). These results revealed that maternal MT supplementation increased HF density, reduced hairiness and improved the fur quality in Rex rabbit offspring. Maternal MT supply may modulate the responses of HFs in the offspring by upregulating the expression ofMTNR1Ain the skin. In this study, implantation of low-dose MT did not affect the reproductive performance of female rabbits or on the growth of their offspring.

Automated summary

Maternal supplementation of MT increased hair follicle density, reduced hairiness, and improved fur quality in Rex rabbit offspring, while not affecting the reproductive performance of female rabbits or the growth of their offspring. Maternal MT supply may modulate hair follicle responses in offspring by regulating the expression of MTNR1A in the skin.