Potency of melatonin in manipulating reproductive seasonality in goat

In goats, induction of 'out-of-season' estrous cycles may be practiced, enabling spring breeding and, therefore, fall kidding, resulting in winter production of milk and kids for the winter markets. Several methods to control the reproduction of goats involve the manipulation of the environmental light. Some others are based on the administration of exogenous hormones that modify the physiologic chain of events involved in the sexual cycle and ultimately modify the luteal phase of the cycle (progesterone/progestagen and prostaglandins) or the annual pattern of reproduction (melatonin). Synchronization of estrous allows the control and short ending of kidding, with synchronization of weaning and uniform batching of animals to slaughter; it also allows more efficient use of labor and animal facilities. An appropriate management of reproduction allows does to breed in the spring to increase the supply of product to the market place on a year-round basis. Pharmaceutical control of reproduction is possible, usually through administration of hormones related to the natural estrous cycle, such as progesterone and/or melatonin.