Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock

Melatonin, a pleiotropic hormone plays a vital role in enhancing livestock performance not only by regulating circadian rhythms but also by exhibiting antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and metabolic regulatory effects that collectively improve resilience, fertility, and productivity. Melatonin’s synthe...

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Main Author: Ali Afzal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1501334/full
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author Ali Afzal
Ali Afzal
author_facet Ali Afzal
Ali Afzal
author_sort Ali Afzal
collection DOAJ
description Melatonin, a pleiotropic hormone plays a vital role in enhancing livestock performance not only by regulating circadian rhythms but also by exhibiting antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and metabolic regulatory effects that collectively improve resilience, fertility, and productivity. Melatonin’s synthesis is predominantly influenced by light exposure, with increased production in darkness; however, factors such as diet and health status further modulate its levels. By helping animals adapt to environmental stressors, melatonin boosts immune responses, mitigates chronic illnesses, and optimizes production efficiency. Its regulatory influence extends to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, enhancing hormone secretion, synchronizing estrous cycles, and improving embryo viability. This results in improved reproductive outcomes through the protection of gametes, increased sperm motility, and enhanced oocyte quality, all of which benefit the fertilization process. Additionally, melatonin positively impacts productive performance, promoting muscle growth, development, and optimizing milk yield and composition through its interaction with metabolic and endocrine systems. As ongoing research continues to uncover its broader physiological effects, melatonin supplementation emerges as a promising approach to improving livestock welfare, productivity, and sustainability in modern animal husbandry.
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spelling doaj-art-25928e3cdeaa415687c16deb37dd58f92025-08-20T02:36:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2024-12-011510.3389/fphys.2024.15013341501334Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestockAli Afzal0Ali Afzal1Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Faisalabad, PakistanSchool of Zoology, Minhaj University Lahore, Lahore, PakistanMelatonin, a pleiotropic hormone plays a vital role in enhancing livestock performance not only by regulating circadian rhythms but also by exhibiting antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and metabolic regulatory effects that collectively improve resilience, fertility, and productivity. Melatonin’s synthesis is predominantly influenced by light exposure, with increased production in darkness; however, factors such as diet and health status further modulate its levels. By helping animals adapt to environmental stressors, melatonin boosts immune responses, mitigates chronic illnesses, and optimizes production efficiency. Its regulatory influence extends to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, enhancing hormone secretion, synchronizing estrous cycles, and improving embryo viability. This results in improved reproductive outcomes through the protection of gametes, increased sperm motility, and enhanced oocyte quality, all of which benefit the fertilization process. Additionally, melatonin positively impacts productive performance, promoting muscle growth, development, and optimizing milk yield and composition through its interaction with metabolic and endocrine systems. As ongoing research continues to uncover its broader physiological effects, melatonin supplementation emerges as a promising approach to improving livestock welfare, productivity, and sustainability in modern animal husbandry.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1501334/fullmelatoninhealthantioxidant statusanimal performanceproduction potential
spellingShingle Ali Afzal
Ali Afzal
Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock
Frontiers in Physiology
melatonin
health
antioxidant status
animal performance
production potential
title Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock
title_full Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock
title_fullStr Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock
title_full_unstemmed Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock
title_short Melatonin as a multifunctional modulator: emerging insights into its role in health, reproductive efficiency, and productive performance in livestock
title_sort melatonin as a multifunctional modulator emerging insights into its role in health reproductive efficiency and productive performance in livestock
topic melatonin
health
antioxidant status
animal performance
production potential
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1501334/full
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AT aliafzal melatoninasamultifunctionalmodulatoremerginginsightsintoitsroleinhealthreproductiveefficiencyandproductiveperformanceinlivestock