Effect Of Exogenous Melatonin On Fox' Seasonal Propagation And Moult And Studied On Introduced Finnish Giant Blue Fox' Seminal Quality

Studies were performed on the measurement of the sperm quality in Finnish giant blue foxes and the effect of exogenous melatonin (MLT) on the seasonal reproduction and moult in silver fox.In March 2003, sperm was collected from 10 estrus Finnish giant blue foxes and ejaculate volume(0.70±0.316 ml), sperm motility (8.2±1.230), sperm concentration ((1298.0 ±344.724)× 106/ml),rate of malformation (18.36%±6.302%) and total sperm ((843.485 ±274.6401)×106) were obtained, showing better sperm quality than the blue foxes in China.2 male silver foxes were given a subcutaneous implant of MLT first on June 22rd (3×6 mg), then on December 15th (2 ×6 mg) and another 2 animals on December 15th (2×6 mg), January 15th (2×6 rag), indicating that the MLT may be used to extend the reproductive season 2 months.On July 5th 10 male silver fox cubs (born before May 20th ) were given subcutaneous implants of 2 ×6 mg MLT . The same treatment was repeated on August 20th . 10 males served as controls. After 15 days of the first MLT treatment, the implanted animals grew faster, reached pelt maturity more quickly, reaching full prime 2 months before the controls and had a higher feed consumption thancontrols, while the pelt length was similar to the controls.