Regulin Implants for Sheep

Ewes have a seasonal reproduction rhythm that depends on the length of daylight. Sexual activity manifests itself, depending on the breed, as the days get shorter (autumn). Regulin ® is an implant that releases melatonin (a natural substance secreted by the brain during the night) progressively and at sufficiently high plasma concentrations for a period of 70 to 90 days to simulate the shortening of the days. The Regulin implant is positioned at the base of the ear and does not need to be removed as it is biodegradable). In ewes, it induces œstrus and ovarian activity 50 to 70 days after it is implanted. In rams the use of the implant increases sexual activity during the anoestrus season and it increases the quality and quantity of the sperm.

Get up to 20% more lambs with Regulin ®

As the days get shorter and nights longer during autumn, ewes and rams naturally come into their peak productive performance. But the longer days of spring/summer are less productive than autumn joinings because there’s reduced fertility and lower lambing rates due to a lower melatonin level in the animal.

Regulin moves the reproductive peak of autumn to the spring. A small implant releases melatonin – nature’s day length messenger – to ‘trick’ the animal’s reproductive system into thinking the days are shorter than they really are, triggering the natural sequence of hormonal events and an increase in reproduction.

Regulin offers many benefits for producers, including:

• Fully maximise the genetic potential of your sheep
• Reduce joining times – compress lambing periods
• Reach the full potential of your rams – year round
• Maximise your genetic gains
• Ideally suited to all enterprises, stud, wool and prime lamb producers
• Increased fertility in early joining
• More productivity and income per ewe mated
• Earlier to market and less trucking of lambs

Use by Subcutaneous implantation only. Use the Regulin implanter to place implant beneath the skin (subcutaneously) near the base of the ear (see Figure below).

TIMING

Implant the animals 40 days prior to the selected joining date. Regulin provides the maximum productive returns when used 40 days prior to ram introduction, for other timings and other protocols contact Ceva Animal Health.

JOINING

In order to maximise results from Regulin treated ewes, it is essential that rams are isolated from the ewes for at least 42 days prior to joining. Effective isolation usually involves maintaining rams in a non-adjacent paddock to the ewe flock. Out of sight, sound and smelling range of the ewes.

PERIOD FOR USE

Regulin advances the seasonal peak of ovarian activity, it does not overcome seasonality altogether. As different species and breeds have different breeding patterns, the recommended period for use varies.

AGE AND CONDITION OF EWES TO BE TREATED

Use only in reproductively mature ewe lambs, maiden and older ewes.
Regulin will not replace good husbandry practices in achieving good reproductive performance – for good results, animals must be in healthy condition.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Sheep are seasonal breeders. Their reproductive performance varies throughout the year, reaching a peak in Autumn. Treatment with Regulin will induce an earlier peak in joining performance and ovulation rate.
Treatment enables earlier joining of very seasonal breeds of sheep.
In less seasonal breeds of sheep it also concentrates lambing and increases the percentage of lambs born (without increasing the number of triplets or quadruplets).
Melatonin, the active ingredient of Regulin, is a substance naturally produced by all animals. Regulin implants give a controlled delivery of melatonin over an extended period. The implants are non-toxic and completely bio compatible.