Influence of melatonin on reproductive performance and some blood parameters in rabbits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24425/pjvs.2026.1274Abstract
Melatonin not only regulates circadian rhythms in animals but also supports reproductive health through its potent antioxidant properties and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, the effects of exogenous melatonin administration on blood total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Immunoglobulin M (IgM), and prolactin (PRL) concentrations, as well as on pregnancy rates and litter size, were investigated in rabbits. A total of 26 New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups for the study. Melatonin implants were administered subcutaneously (SC) to group 1 (n=13) (MEL). Saline injections were administered to group 2 (n=13) (CON). Samples were collected from all rabbits before mating, on the 15th day of gestation and after parturition from the ear marginal vein and TAS, TOS, IgG, IgM, PRL concentrations and hemogram parameters were analyzed. Pregnancy rates were 77% and 92.3% in the CON and MEL groups, respectively, while litter sizes were 5.2 and 6 in the CON and MEL groups, respectively. TOS levels were found to be statistically lower (p<0.05) in the MEL group compared to the CON group just after parturition; however, there was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of TAS values at different times (p>0.05). IgG and IgM levels before mating and after parturition did not differ statistically significantly between the experimental groups when melatonin was administered. However, a statistically significant increase in the levels of both IgG and IgM was observed in the MEL group on day 15 of gestation. Exogenous melatonin administration did not alter reproductive parameters in New Zealand rabbits; however, it exhibited immunomodulatory effects on the 15th day of gestation and reduced oxidative stress after parturition.
References
Akbulut K, Akbulut KG, Gönül B, Akbulut H (2001) The effects of melatonin on humoral immune responses of young and aged rats. Immunol Invest 30: 17-20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1081/IMM-100103687
Arias-Álvarez M, García-García RM, Torres-Rovira L, González-Bulnes A, Rebollar PG, Lorenzo PL (2010) Influence of hormonal and nonhormonal estrus synchronization methods on follicular and oocyte quality in primiparous lactating does at early postpartum peri-od. Theriogenology 73: 26-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.07.017
Artini PG, Scarfo G, Marzi I, Fusi J, Obino ME, Franzoni F, Zappelli E, Chelucci E, Martini C, Cela V, Daniele S (2022) Oxidative stress-related signaling pathways predict oocytes’ fertilization in vitro and embryo quality. Int J Mol Sci 23: 13442. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232113442
Balik A, Kretschmannova K, Mazna P, Svobodova I, Zemkova H (2004) Melatonin action in neonatal gonadotrophs. Physiol Res 53 (Suppl 1): S153-S166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33549/physiolres.930000.53.S153
Basu J, Bendek B, Agamasu E, Salafia CM, Mishra A, Benfield N, Patel R, Mikhail M (2015) Placental oxidative status throughout normal gestation in women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Obstet Gynecol Int 2015: 276095 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/276095
Belabbas R, Ezzeroug R, de la Luz García M, Berbar A, Zitouni G, Taalaziza D, Boudjella Z, Boudahdir N, Argente MJ (2023) Prenatal factors affecting the probability of survival between birth and weaning in rabbits. World Rabbit Sci 31: 11-20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2023.18268
Canto F, Abecia JA (2024) Effects of melatonin implants in late gestation and at lambing on colostrum and milk quality of ewes, birth temperature and growth performance of their lambs. Small Rumin Res 232: 107210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107210
Canto F, González E, Abecia JA (2022) Effects of implanting exogenous melatonin 40 days before lambing on milk and colostrum quality. Animals 12: 1257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12101257
Carlomagno G, Minini M, Tilotta M, Unfer V (2018) From implantation to birth: insight into molecular melatonin functions. Int J Mol Sci 19: 2802 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092802
Černyšiov V, Gerasimčik N, Mauricas M, Girkontaitė I (2010) Regulation of T-cell-independent and T-cell-dependent antibody production by circadian rhythm and melatonin. Int Immunol 22: 25-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/intimm/dxp109
Cetin Ş, Bek, Y (2019) Covariance models in repeated measured data. Turkiye Klinikleri J Biostat 11: 239-253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5336/biostatic.2019-66645
Ciechanowska M, Misztal T, Przekop F (2013) Prolactin and the physiological regulation of its secretion. A review. J Anim Feed Sci 22: 79-89 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/65997/2013
Cullere M, Dalle Zotte A (2018) Rabbit meat production and consumption: state of knowledge and future perspectives. Meat Sci 143: 137-146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2018.04.029
DeNicolo G, Morris ST, Kenyon PR, Morel PCH, Parkinson TJ (2008) Melatonin-improved reproductive performance in sheep bred out of season. Anim Reprod Sci 109: 124-133 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.10.012
Edalat-Nejad M, Haqhverdi F, Hossein-Tabar T, Ahmadian M (2013) Melatonin improves sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. Indian J Nephrol 23: 264-269 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-4065.114488
Ferlazzo N, Andolina G, Cannata A, Costanzo MG, Rizzo V, Currò M, Ientile R, Caccamo D (2020) Is melatonin the cornucopia of the 21st century? Antioxidants 9: 1088 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111088
Fraschini F, Demartini G, Esposti D, Scaglione F (1998) Melatonin involvement in immunity and cancer. Neurosignals 7: 61-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000014529
Habibu B, Kawu MU, Makun HJ, Aluwong T, Yaqub LS, Ahmad MS, Tauheed M, Buhari HU (2014) Influence of sex, reproductive status and foetal number on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, haematological and physiologic parameters in goats during the hot-dry season. Vet Med-Czech 59: 479-490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17221/7778-VETMED
Haresign W, Peters AR, Staples LD (1990) The effect of melatonin implants on breeding activity and litter size in commercial sheep flocks in the UK. Anim Sci 50: 111-121 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003356100004517
Hashem NM, El-Hawy AS, El-Bassiony MF, Saber A, Radwan MA, Ghanem N (2023) Melatonin administration during the first half of pregnancy improves the reproductive performance of rabbits: emphasis on ovarian and placental functions. Theriogenology 205: 40-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.006
Karaboduk H, Adiguzel C, Uzunhisarcikli M, Apaydin FG, Kalender Y (2025) Melatonin mitigates abamectin‐induced subacute hematotoxicity and hepato‐renal toxicity in rats by regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 39: e70512. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.70512
Korkmaz A, Tamura H, Manchester LC, Ogden GB, Tian DX, Reiter RJ (2009) Combination of melatonin and a peroxisome prolifera-tor-activated receptor-γ agonist induces apoptosis in a breast cancer cell line. J Pineal Res 46: 115 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-079X.2008.00635.x
Kurhaluk N, Sliuta A, Kyriienko S, Winklewski PJ (2017) Melatonin restores white blood cell count, diminishes glycated haemoglobin level and prevents liver, kidney and muscle oxidative stress in mice exposed to acute ethanol intoxication. Alcohol Alcohol 52: 521-528 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agx045
Kutlu M, Akbulut NK (2025) The effects of anti-galactagogue (sage, parsley extract) and anti-inflammatory (echinacea extract) feed sup-plements on prolactin levels and fertility in the re-pregnancy of lactating Merino ewes. Trop Anim Health Prod 57: 59 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04308-8
Kvetnoy I, Ivanov D, Mironova E, Evsyukova I, Nasyrov R, Kvetnaia T, Polyakova V (2022) Melatonin as the cornerstone of neuroim-munoendocrinology. Int J Mol Sci 23: 1835. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031835
Lebas F, Coudert P, de Rochambeau H (1997) The rabbit: husbandry, health, and production. FAO Anim Produc Health 1997.
Ma N, Zhang J, Reiter RJ, Ma X (2020) Melatonin mediates mucosal immune cells, microbial metabolism, and rhythm crosstalk: a thera-peutic target to reduce intestinal inflammation. Med Res Rev 40: 606-632. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21628
Maestroni GJ, Conti A, Pierpaoli W (1987) Role of the pineal gland in immunity: II. Melatonin enhances the antibody response via an opiatergic mechanism. Clin Exp Immunol 68: 384-391
Michurina SV, Ishchenko IY, Korolev MA, Letyagin AY, Rachkovskaya LN, Khotskina AS, Khotskin NV, Maslennikova SO, Zavjalov EL (2019) Effects of melatonin on the body composition, physical performance, and blood erythrocyte indexes of C57Bl/6J mice exposed to continuous illumination. Bull Exp Biol Med 168: 28-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-019-04638-2
Mistraletti G, Paroni R, Umbrello M, D’Amato L, Sabbatini G, Taverna M, Formenti P, Finati E, Favero G, Bonomini F (2017) Melatonin pharmacological blood levels increase total antioxidant capacity in critically ill patients. Int J Mol Sci 18: 759. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18040759
Molik E, Misztal T, Romanowicz K, Zieba D (2013) Short-day and melatonin effects on milking parameters, prolactin profiles and growth-hormone secretion in lactating sheep. Small Rumin Res 109: 182-187. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.10.006
Mousa-Balabel TM, Mohamed RA (2011) Effect of different photoperiods and melatonin treatment on rabbit reproductive performance. Vet Q 31: 165-171 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2011.642533
Okatani Y, Sagara Y (1993) Role of melatonin in nocturnal prolactin secretion in women with normoprolactinemia and mild hyperprolac-tinemia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 168: 854-861. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9378(12)90833-9
Olcese JM (2020) Melatonin and female reproduction: an expanding universe. Front Endocrinol 11: 85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00085
Ortiz-Franco M, Planells E, Quintero B, Acuña-Castroviejo D, Rusanova I, Escames G, Molina-López J (2017) Effect of melatonin sup-plementation on antioxidant status and DNA damage in high intensity trained athletes. Int J Sports Med 38: 1117-1125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-119881
Rashwan AA, Marai IFM (2000) Mortality in young rabbits: a review. World Rabbit Sci 8: 111-124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2000.427
Regodón S, Ramos A, Morgado S, Tarazona R, Martín-Palomino P, Rosado JA, del Prado Míguez M (2009) Melatonin enhances the im-mune response to vaccination against A1 and C strains of Dichelobacter nodosus. Vaccine 27: 1566-1570 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.01.001
Reiter RJ, Mayo JC, Tan DX, Sainz RM, Alatorre-Jimenez M, Qin L (2016) Melatonin as an antioxidant: under promises but over delivers. J Pineal Res 61: 253-278 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12360
Rios TS, Esqueda MT, Cruz AD, Mora JL, Perrusquía RG, Morales JL, Velasco JL, Bautista JH (2017) Oxidative state of ewes with differ-ent number of parity during gestation and lactation. Pesq Vet Bras 37: 1405-1410 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-736x2017001200008
Seron-Ferre M, Reynolds H, Mendez NA, Mondaca M, Valenzuela F, Ebensperger R, Valenzuela GJ, Herrera EA, Llanos AJ, Torres-Farfan C (2015) Impact of maternal melatonin suppression on amount and functionality of brown adipose tissue in the newborn sheep. Front Endocrinol 5: 232. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2014.00232
Tamura H, Takasaki A, Miwa I, Taniguchi K, Maekawa R, Asada H, Taketani T, Matsuoka A, Yamagata Y, Shimamura K, Morioka H, Ishikawa H, Reiter RJ, Sugino N (2008) Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical dam-age and improves fertilization rate. J Pineal Res 44: 280-287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-079X.2007.00524.x
Tamura H, Takasaki A, Taketani T, Tanabe M, Lee L, Tamura I, Maekawa R, Asada H, Yamagata Y, Sugino N (2014) Melatonin and female reproduction. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 40: 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.12177
Tekin TB, Akkuş T (2023) The effect of melatonin administration on colostrum IgG levels and oxidative stress in advanced pregnant Awassi sheep. Isr J Vet Med 78: 9-17
Theau-Clément M (2000) Advances in biostimulation methods applied to rabbit reproduction. World Rabbit Sci A: 61-79.
Tutuncu S, Delice N (2021) Melatonin and effects on the immune system. Int J Vet Anim Res 4: 30-33
Vazquez MI, Forcada F, Sosa C, Casao A, Sartore I, Fernández-Foren A, Meikle A, Abecia JA (2013) Effect of exogenous melatonin on embryo viability and uterine environment in undernourished ewes. Anim Reprod Sci 141: 52-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.007
Volpe OAJ, Zuccari DAPC, Chuffa LGA, Reiter RJ (2025) Melatonin and Lipid Peroxidation: Antioxidant Shield and Therapeutic Poten-tial. Front. Biosci 30: 45321. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31083/FBL45321
Zaragoza-Vera CV, González-Garduño R, Flores-Santiago EJ, Chay-Canul AJ, Zaragoza-Vera M, Arjona-Jiménez G, Torres-Chablé OM (2022) Hematological changes during pregnancy and lactation in Pelibuey ewes infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Comp Clin Pathol 31: 827-838. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-022-03386-6
Zhang L, Zhang Z, Wang F, Tian X, Ji P, Liu G (2017) Effects of melatonin administration on embryo implantation and offspring growth in mice under different schedules of photoperiodic exposure. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 15: 78. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-017-0297-7
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
