Changes in blood plasma metabolites following melatonin implantation in buffalo bulls during non-breeding season

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin implants on biochemical metabolite composition and enzymatic properties of blood plasma of buffalo bulls in the non-breeding season. Ten Murrah buffalo bulls, divided into control and treated groups, each of five animals, were used during non-breeding season (July to September). Treated bulls were implanted with melatonin (18 mg of melatonin per 50 kg of body weight) for a period of two months. During non-breeding season, melatonin treatment resulted in increases (P<0.05) in total protein and creatinine of blood plasma, and decreases (P<0.05) in blood plasma high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. In conclusion, melatonin treatment affected several metabolites in blood plasma of buffalo bulls during non-breeding season under tropical condition.