Melatonin administration as a strategy to mitigate weaning stress in Lacaune lambs
Aline Freitas-de-Melo
IntroductionWeaning from artificial milk feeding represents a critical transition in intensively reared dairy lambs, involving dietary change, relocation, and social reorganization, all of which may compromise welfare, immune status, and growth performance. Melatonin, owing to its anxiolytic, antioxidant, and immuno-modulatory properties, has been proposed as a potential strategy to mitigate stress-related responses during this period.MethodsSixty Lacaune lambs were randomly assigned at weaning