Nocturnal melatonin and prolactin plasma concentrations in sheep selected for fertility in autumn lambing'.

Ewes selected for fertility in autumn lambing were used to evaluate correlated responses in nocturnal hormone levels. Four jugular blood samples were obtained during nighttime in August from each of 113 selected and 69 control ewes. Melatonin levels were lower for selected ewes (143 +/- 14 pg/mL) than for control ewes (184 +/- 13 pg/mL), and melatonin levels decreased with increases in estimated breeding values (EBV) for fertility (-2.23 +/- 0.79 pg mL(-1) x %(-1)). Prolactin levels were higher for selected ewes (90 +/- 7 ng/mL) than for control ewes (52 +/- 7 ng/mL), but significant line x ewe age interaction was also observed, with smaller differences in prolactin levels in 2-yr-old and older ewes (74 +/- 7 vs. 56 +/- 9 ng/mL for select and control ewes, respectively; P < 0.20 before and P = 0.05 after logarithmic transformation). Prolactin levels increased with both fertility EBV (1.23 +/- 0.53 ng mL(-1) x %(-1)) and maternal birth weight EBV (9.0 +/- 4.0 ng x ml(-1) kg(-1)). Heritability estimates were 0.43 (P < 0.02) for melatonin levels and 0.11 (P > 0.25) for prolactin levels. Thus, we conclude that selection for fertility in autumn lambing has affected patterns of melatonin and prolactin secretion during the dark phase.