Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Melatonin effects on reproduction in male Pomeranian dogs
By Abdous, Arman et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2025·Faculty of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Dose-Response Effects of Oral Melatonin on Reproductive Parameters in Intact Male Pomeranian Dogs With Alopecia X: A Controlled Study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of intact male Pomeranian dogs with a hair loss condition called Alopecia X were given melatonin to see if it could improve their reproductive health. Over 45 days, the dogs received different doses of melatonin, and the results showed that higher doses led to better semen quality and improved blood flow to the testicles. While the melatonin seemed to help, it also affected hormone levels in a complex way. Overall, melatonin may be beneficial for male dogs with this condition, but more research is needed to understand its long-term effects.
People also search for: Pomeranian hair loss treatment · melatonin for dog reproductive health · Alopecia X in dogs · improving dog semen quality · dog hormone balance treatment
Abstract
This study investigates the dose-response effects of oral melatonin on reproductive parameters in intact male Pomeranian dogs diagnosed with Alopecia X. Given melatonin's potential therapeutic effects on hair regrowth and reproductive health, this study aimed to evaluate its impact on semen quality, hormonal profiles and testicular haemodynamics. A total of 16 intact male Pomeranian dogs were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group receiving a placebo and three treatment groups receiving melatonin at low (0.1 mg/kg), medium (0.3 mg/kg) and high (0.5 mg/kg) doses, administered twice daily for 45 days. Reproductive parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility and levels of testosterone and oestradiol 17-ß, were assessed biweekly. Testicular haemodynamics were evaluated using pulsed Doppler ultrasonography. The results showed dose-dependent improvements in semen quality and testicular blood flow, with the highest dose group demonstrating the most significant improvements. However, analysis of the testosterone-to-oestradiol ratio revealed a decrease in the treatment groups, highlighting a complex hormonal response. Although semen quality improved, the study's short duration may not have captured the full spermatogenesis cycle. These findings suggest that melatonin may enhance reproductive function in male dogs with Alopecia X, but further research is needed to clarify its long-term endocrine effects and optimize treatment protocols.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40358664/