Dependence of the lactation duration and efficiency on the season of lambing in relation to the prolactin and melatonin secretion in ewes

Changes in day length and the related secretion of melatonin and prolactin are of particular significance in sheep, as they determine reproductive processes, the last stage of which is lactation. The aim of the present study was to examine the dependence of the lactation duration and efficiency on the season of lambing (January—Group I/June—Group II) in relation to the hormonal status of milking ewes (Polish Longwool). The possibility of artificial extension of the milking period in late-lambing ewes by application of prolonged day length, 16 h of light–8 h of darkness (16L:8D), was introduced additionally (Group III). Measurements of plasma levels of prolactin and melatonin were used as parameters of season-dependent hormonal regulation of milk production in this seasonally breeding species. Although during the first 28 days of lactation sheep of all groups produced similar amounts of milk (based on the weight gains of the lambs), our results clearly showed that during the period of machine milking (from weaning at 56 day to the dry period) the level of milk production in Group I was almost twice that noted in Group II. Thus, the highest milk yield was obtained from sheep during the period when the days became longer, i.e. from March to May, which was accompanied by an increase in prolactin secretion. In both groups, melatonin secretion was found to increase while milk performance parameters and prolactin secretion decreased during the shortening photoperiod. The sustained decreases in milk production and prolactin secretion were also observed during the autumn months in sheep from Group III, despite the low level of melatonin. The present study showed that time of lambing and related photoperiod length could significantly affect the milk production of sheep that have a clear season of sexual activity. Maintenance of June-lambing sheep under the 16L:8D regime failed to extend the high prolactin level and lactation considerably into the autumn months. The spontaneous decrease in prolactin secretion observed under the long artificial photoperiod indicated for a development of refractoriness, which could also limit the lactation period.