Abstract

The basic structure of melatonin is evolutionarily conserved Hence it was speculated that melatonin may be present in different animals from unicellular to multi-cellular and even in plants Melatonin in plans is generally regarded as phyto-melatonin Like the role of melatonin in animals phytomelatonin can perform a number of functions like attenuation of apoptosis prevention of free radical generation protection against UV irradiation etc But unlike phyto-estrogen the role of phyto-melatonin in animals is totally an unexplored area Hence aim of the present study was to note the role of phytomelatonin in maintenance of general health and immunity of goats To fulfil the aim we supplemented the goats with phytomelatonin rich diet i e corn Zea mays which is having 1 4 ng gm of dry weight of tissue and they are also edible to goats We noted significantly high level of body weight haematological AST ALT level total RBC count and Hb immunological TLC LC SR of PBMCs metabolic plasma glucose cholesterol HDL LDL protein levels and HDL LDL ration free radical SOD catalase GPx levels hormonal estrogen melatonin cytokine IL-6 and TNF- levels and significantly low level of MDA However plasma testosterone was unaffected upon phyto-melatonin treatment Thus for the first time role of phyto-melatonin as a protective molecule with improving effect on the health and immunity of Indian goat Capra hircusis being proposed as the effect of phyto-melatonin supplementation can be brought back to normal and this dietary supplement might be utilizing the similar pathway as commercial melatonin There are so many less expensive and readily available sources of phytomelatonin that requires the proper knowledge of exploitation of these sources for extreme benefit for animals as well as for the human beings in near or far future