The postpartum is the most critical period for the reproductive and productive

success of the dairy cow.

Moreover, the problem of heat stress is on the rise worldwide, impairing fertility,
and it is foreseeable that over the years to come, the negative effects of heat
stress on reproductive function will continue to increase. Heat stress, besides
reducing fertility and increasing pregnancy losses can also worsen postpartum
recovery and impair the return to cyclicity.
The study was performed on clinically healthy 20
multiparous Holstein-Friesian lactating pregnant dairy cows randomly selected
during the increasing photoperiod length (March–April). To homogenize the study
population, only pregnant cows in their second term of gestation, which is when
gestation is firmly established were included in the study. All cows carried
singletons, as determined by ultrasound on day 40 of gestation, and gestation was
again confirmed before melatonin administration on day 120 of gestation.