Prolactin and wool growth in the Romney ewe : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in animal science at Massey University

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dc.contributor.authorKendall, Paul Edward
dc.contributor.authorKendall, Paul Edward
dc.date.accessioned2011-07-29T04:41:30Z
dc.date.available2011-07-29T04:41:30Z
dc.date.issued1999
dc.description.abstractThe effects of seasonal and experimental changes m plasma prolactin (PRL) concentration on wool growth in non-pregnant and breeding Romney ewes were assessed. Seasonal changes in plasma PRL concentration appeared to be primarily determined by photoperiod, rather than ambient temperature. The seasonal winter decline in wool production was prevented when circulating PRL levels were elevated during the winter by long day photoperiod. Endogenous PRL secretion was inhibited during pregnancy in breeding ewes, but was also influenced by photoperiod and season. A significant depression in wool growth was measured within the first 60 days of gestation, which was not associated with feed intake or changes in live weight. The reduction in wool growth was not associated with changes in circulating PRL concentration but is likely to be mediated by one or a combination of other maternal hormones. Clean wool growth rate, mean fibre diameter and fibre length growth rate all increased at or before parturition indicating that an inhibitory effect on wool growth was removed after the birth of the lamb. A consequence of higher wool growth rates during lactation was increased winter wool production in winter-lambing ewes. Photoperiod-induced increases in PRL concentration during pregnancy, at parturition, and during lactation were associated with significant medium- to long-term stimulatory effects on wool growth. The suppression of PRL concentration with bromocriptine, was associated with lower rates of long-term wool growth. Collectively these results suggest that plasma PRL has a stimulatory effect on wool growth in the Romney ewe.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/2559
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectPlasma prolactinen_US
dc.subjectWool productionen_US
dc.subjectWool growthen_US
dc.subjectRomney sheepen_US
dc.titleProlactin and wool growth in the Romney ewe : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in animal science at Massey Universityen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineAnimal Science
thesis.degree.grantorMassey University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
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