Effect of melatonin implants on reproduction in the male silver fox (Vulpes vulpes)

In June 1987, when the testes were fully regressed, 5 males were given s.c. implants of 40 mg melatonin. The same treatment was repeated in August and October 1987. Five males served as controls. Plasma concentrations of melatonin increased significantly in treated males and were still elevated at the end of the study in April 1988. The changes in testicular volume and blood plasma concentrations of testosterone in response to GnRH indicated that melatonin administration promoted testicular development. However, testicular regression was observed earlier in treated than control animals, perhaps because of refractoriness to melatonin or to a down-regulation of melatonin receptors. Semen was collected and frozen in November 1987, 2 months ahead of the natural breeding season, from the melatonin-treated males, and 10 blue fox vixens were inseminated the following breeding season: 9 vixens conceived, and the average litter size was 7.6 +/- 0.5. The results demonstrate that melatonin treatment initiated during exposure to naturally long days (a) promotes testicular development in a way similar to an artificial short photoperiod and (b) may induce a refractory condition after an extended period of treatment.