Abstract
The effect of exogenous melatonin on winter fur growth in raccoon dog were investigated during 1993–1995. In the field trials, a total of 496 raccoon dogs were embedded subscutaneously melatonin implants that were made in laboratory for Endocrinology and Reproduction, College of Wildlife Resources. The trial results showed that melatonin was involved in regulation of seasonal molting in ussuriansis raccoon dogs, and promoted effectively the winter fur growth, when raccoon dogs received melatonin treatment at the time near solstice. The date of winter fur maturity were advanced to middle or end of October, about four or five weeks earlier than controls, when male or female pup raccoon dogs were treated with silastic implants containing 8.6mg, 12mg or 15mg melatonin on July 6 and July 11 respectively. The date of winter fur maturity were advanced to late September and early October, about six to eight weeks earlier than controls, when female adult raccoon dogs were treated with silastic implant containing 10.6mg, 12mg or 15mg melatonin on June 4 and June 15 and June 22 respectively.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allain, D and Rougeot, J. Induction autumn molt in mink (Mustela vision peale and Beauvois) with melatonin. Reprod. Nutr. Develop. 1980, 20 (1) 197–201
Allain, D; Martinet D; Rougeot, J. Effects of melatonin implants on changes in the coat, plasma prolactin level and testis cycle in the mink (Mustela vison). In “Photoperiodism and Reproduction” Eds. Ortavant et al, 1981, 6: 263–271.
Allain, D. Interaction of age, strain and dale of melatonin administration. In the IV international congress in fur animal production. Eds Murphy & Hunter. 1988, 471–480
Blomstedt, L; M, Valtonen: Polonen, I; L, Jalkanen. Investigation on the use of melatonin. ABA, 1989, 37 (5), 3472
Blomstedt, L; E. Mantysalo; P. Mustonen; S. Tuominen. Dose melatonin affect the quality of fox pelts? Scientifur. 1992, 16 (1), 23
Connor, M. L. Melatonin as a furring enhancer. Effect on growth rate, feed consumption and reproduction in silver fox. In Proceedings of the IV international congress, in fur animal production. Eds, Murphy & Hunter, 1988. 471–480
Ellis, L. C. Early furring, testicular development and cytotoxic lesions of testes and epididymes of dark mink by melatonin implants. Adv. Biosci. 1985. 53: 145–150.
Fukunaga, S; K. Kohno; F. Nakamura; K. Kondo. A quantitative histological study on melatonin induced autumn molt in mink skin. Scientifur. 1991. 15(2), 107–113.
Fukunaga. S; K. Kohno; F. Nakamura; K. Kondo. Pelage development in melatonin treated mink. Norweigian Agr. Science. 1992. Suppl. 9, 593–598.
Goal Yoating et al. Fauna Sinica, Mammalia. Vol 8: Canivora. in Chinese, 1987 Kong Qingsong; Liu Zhiping; Jing Songyan; Zhang Wei; Ye Chunyan. Study on advancing the maturation of winter fur in mink treated with melatonin. Chinese wildlife, in Chinese, 1995, 4, 22–26
Parkanyi, V; M. Zeman; I. Tocka; D. Martin; E. Dravcova. Effect of melatonin on change of winter fur and spermatogenesis in male polar foxes. Scientifur. 1993. 17(1), 17–23.
Pearson, A. J.; M. Ashby; L. D. Staples. Effects of melatonin on body weight, appetite and seasonal fur growth in ferret. In Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1989. 49, 47–52.
Rose, J; F. Stormshak; J. Oldfield; J. Adair. Induction of winter fur growth in mink (Mustela vison) with melatonin. J. Anim. Sci. 1984. 58. 57–61.
Rose, J; J. Oldfield; F. Stormshak. Apparent role of melatonin and prolactin in initiating winter fur growth in mink, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol 1987. 65, 212–215.
Rust, C. C.; R. K. Meyer. Hair color, molt and testis size in male short-tailed weasel streated with melatonin. Science. 1969. 165. 921–922.
Smith, A.; Mondin-Monval, M; K. A. Berg, P. Simon; M. Forsberg; O.P.F Clausen, T. Hansen; D. M. Moller, R. Scholler. Effects of melatonin implantation on spermatogenesis, the molting cycle and plasma concentrations of melatonin, LH, prolactin and testosterone in the male blue fox (Alopex lagopus). J. Reprod. Fert. 1987, 79, 379–390
Valtonen, M; L. Blomstdt; K. JoKivaetio. Effects of melatonin in mink. Scientifur. 1986. 10(1) 83.
Valtonen, M, L. Blomstedt. Hair growth and skin metabolism in melatonin implanted mink. In Proceedings of the IV international congress in fur animal production Eds. Murphy & Munter 1988, 471–480.
Valtonen, M. Results of a field trial with melatonin. ABA, 1988, 56(6), 3839
Lerner, A. B.; J. D. Case; Y. Takahashi; T. H. Lee; W. Mori. Isolation of melatonin, the pineal gland factor that lightens melanocytes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1958, 80: 2587
Lerner, A. B.; J. D. Case; R. V. Heinzelman. Structure of melatonin. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1959, 81:6084–6085
Раnоnор, О п Г. Бернацкии. А А Худ, яновА Мепакрип Сонращаша ет периоД выраЩ цваия Звееи Кроииковоство Й Зверово Дство 1990 4: 9 и 12
Кравцов, л л, г. А Кузнецоа. у Ско рение Созревания Опушения у Лисиэ Кр олиководетво и Эвероводство 1990 2: 8
Zhao Yingjie. Investigation on ussuriansis raccoon dog fanning. Fur Animal Farming, in Chinese. 1987. 2:40–44.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Qingsong, K., Zhiping, L., Songyan, J. et al. Effect of exogenous melatonin on winter fur growth in ussuriansis raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides ussuransis). J. Northeast For. Univ. 7, 54–57 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843058
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843058