Reproduction in Domestic Animals

Seasonality of Reproduction in Mammals 45ConclusionThe seasonality of animal products release is more theconsequence of interactions between the naturalendogenous rhythmicity of animals and environmentalconstraints than a deliberate choice of the farmer toproduce at a definite season. In most seasonal speciesand breeds involved in these productions, specificphotoperiodic treatments derived, at least in part,from the cumulative knowledge of physiological mechanismsinvolved in the control of the reproductivefunction, have progressively been proposed to overcomethe problem raised by the seasonal availability ofreproduction-derived products. In mammals, suchtreatments should be taken as an interesting alternativeto classical hormonal treatments in a general contextof reduction of hormonal utilization in more sustainableanimal production systems. 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