Built-in Body Clocks

Research over the last decade has identified that specific light can affect and regulate the Circadian Rhythm and, in turn, Melatonin secretion and its effect on all mammals.

Often referred to as the "body clock," the Circadian Rhythm is the 24-hour cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep, rise, and eat - regulating many physiological processes.

Types of Light

Dairylight delivers an optimized spectrum of light, at the right light intensity to have a maximum effect on the circadian rhythm of a cow by regulating the circulating levels of Melatonin.

Blue enriched white light (with blue spectrum 465-485 nm) is the most effective spectrum at reducing the circulating levels of melatonin, as melanopsin production, its precursot is particularly sensitive to short wavelength blue light.

‘’Melatonin is switched on by darkness and switched off by daylight’’

Melatonin provides key functions in a cows body activity, alertness and fertility and milk yield. By decreasing circulating levels of melatonin using long day photoperiod (16 hours 18 hours of blue enriched white light) also increases circulating levels of other hormones affecting milk production. Insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1). Increasing IGF-1 influence the mammary gland to increase milk production.

Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the udder to produce more milk. Circulating levels of prolactin are increase too from 16-18 hours (long day photo period) of blue enriched white light.

Normal white LED or fluorescent lights do not deliver blue light at the level of intensity required to have any real effect on Melatonin suppression.