Effect of melatonin and bromocryptine administration on cashmere production and fibre length growth of Raeini goats

Twenty-four Raeini cashmere goat females (2 and 3 years of age and 35.0±1.4 kg BW) were used to determine effects of melatonin implants and bromocryptine on fiber growth rate (length), cashmere and hair diameter and fleece production. A completely random design was carried out. Four groups were formed: 1) control, 2) melatonin implant, 3) bromocryptine injection and 4) melatonin implant bromocryptine injection. The experimental goats received melatonin implants subcutaneously 18 mg/kg BW at first and repeated after 40 days, group 2), bromocryptine ( 0.5 mg/kg BW per 3 days; group 3) and melatonin implant and with bromocryptine; group 4 ). All goats were fed a balanced diet under the same environmental and natural photoperiodic conditions in a 60-day, from February to March. Overall mean fleece weight were 607.4, 600.3, 523.3 and 471.3g, for bromocryptine, melatonin溺⚡쫲ꛘ, melatonin and control groups, respectively, being greater for bromocryptine and melatonin溺⚡쫲ꛘ than for the other groups (P