Melatonin Implants: An innovative solution for mitigating heat stress in livestock

Nathaniel Ogunkunle, a professional animal scientist and researcher at Alabama A&M University, has revealed significant advancements in mitigating heat stress in animals. He obtained his Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production and Health at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Following this, he worked as a scientific officer with the National Biotechnology Development Agency before pursuing a Master’s in Animal Science at the University of Ibadan. Nathaniel later joined Alabama A&M University in the United States as a research assistant for his doctoral program in Animal Health.

Heat stress is a global challenge in the livestock industry, causing substantial economic losses and adverse effects on animal performance and welfare. High temperatures during the summer and dry seasons reduce productivity, suppress immunity, increase inflammatory biomarkers, and heighten the risk of chronic and metabolic diseases, often leading to death.
Climate change exacerbates this issue, with rising global temperatures making heat stress more frequent and severe. Annual economic losses from heat stress are currently estimated at $10 billion worldwide and are projected to climb to $40 billion by the end of the century.

Heat stress is characterized by hyperthermia, elevated respiratory and heart rates, reduced feed intake, altered hormonal profiles, and increased inflammation. While traditional strategies like evaporative cooling and dietary modifications provide short-term relief, they are insufficient to address the complex impacts of heat stress comprehensively. A more sustainable and innovative solution lies in the use of melatonin implants, which have shown significant potential in reducing heat stress’s adverse effects in livestock.
Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland, plays a vital role in regulating circadian rhythms, thermoregulation, and the antioxidant defense system. The use of melatonin implants offers a steady, slow release of the hormone into the bloodstream, providing long-term benefits in mitigating heat stress.

At the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station of Alabama A&M University, Nathaniel Ogunkunle conducted groundbreaking research exploring the impact of melatonin implants on cattle performance and health during summer heat.
Over a three-month period, the implants, each releasing 24 mg of melatonin into the bloodstream over 30 days, demonstrated remarkable results. The implanted animals exhibited improved feed intake, higher average daily gain, and better physiological parameters, including lower body temperatures, respiratory rates, and heart rates.

These improvements were attributed to the activation of endogenous antioxidant defense systems by melatonin, which stimulated the production of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. These enzymes neutralized reactive oxygen species, preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. Furthermore, stress biomarkers like cortisol and haptoglobin were significantly reduced in the implanted animals, underscoring the efficacy of melatonin implants in alleviating heat stress.

Nathaniel presented the findings from this research at the American Society for Animal Science conference held in June 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. The study garnered significant recognition for its practical implications in livestock management. Additionally, the abstract of this work was published in the Journal of Animal Science, further emphasizing its scientific impact.

According to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research’s Center for Science Education, the world’s temperature is projected to increase by 4.5–5°C by 2050 if minimal effort is taken to reduce CO₂ emissions. With this projection, a sustainable approach to alleviating heat stress is critical. The use of slow-releasing melatonin implants could shield animals and allow them to thrive during heat stress.

Melatonin implants are an effective approach to managing heat stress in livestock. They help increase animal performance and feed efficiency while reducing inflammation, which in turn improves animal welfare, productivity, and resilience to climate challenges. As livestock producers worldwide seek sustainable solutions to enhance performance and profitability, melatonin implants provide a tool to mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress, thereby saving producers from economic losses and improving productivity.

In Nigeria, the application of melatonin implants could significantly reduce economic losses typically experienced during the dry season, while boosting the availability of high-quality, healthy food for human consumption.

Nathaniel Ogunkunle’s pioneering research continues to push the boundaries of animal science, advancing innovative solutions that safeguard animal welfare and address critical global challenges in animal health and sustainability.