Exogenous melatonin and male foetuses improve the quality of sheep colostrum

Colostrum is the first product secreted by the mammary gland to transfer immunity to the newborn, especially through immunoglobulins (Ig) G. Melatonin is an immunomodulatory factor and there is evidence that it has a direct effect on IgG production. To evaluate the effects of melatonin treatment during pregnancy, litter size and offspring sex on colostrum quality, sixty pregnant Rasa Aragonesa ewes were divided into three groups: one group received a melatonin implant at the third month of pregnancy (3M,n = 13), another group at the fourth month (4M,n = 18) and the remaining ewes were not implanted (Control, C,n = 29). Immediately after lambing, a sample of colostrum was collected and IgG, crude protein and fat content analysed. Timing of melatonin implantation (p < .001), and offspring sex (p < .01) had a significant effect on IgG concentration. Colostrum of treated ewes had a higher mean (+/- SEM) IgG concentration than that of the control ewes (55.54 +/- 3.09 and 49.50 +/- 4.36 mg/ml, respectively;p < .05), mainly because the concentration in the 4M group was significantly (p < .001) higher than it was in the other groups. The relationship between lamb sex and IgG (p < .01) and %CP (p < .05) was evident in singletons (ewes with a male lamb: 54.57 +/- 5.37 mg IgG/ml, 15.42 +/- 0.82%CP; ewes with a female lamb: 34.66 +/- 4.30 mg/ml, 13.18 +/- 0.73%CP). The presence of a female in the litter was associated with significantly (p < .01) lower colostrum IgG levels (litters with at least one female: 49.33 +/- 3.42 mg/ml; litters with no females: 58.24 +/- 4.00 mg/ml). Among 4M ewes, female foetuses had significantly (p < .01) lower IgG levels whether they carried singletons or multiple lambs. In conclusion, treatment with melatonin implants at the fourth month of pregnancy resulted in a higher colostrum quality based on IgG concentration.