Patent ID: 8003130

Claim:
A method for the production of milk with increased melatonin content relative to a time before the method is performed, or a milk product made therefrom, wherein the method comprises (a) dividing a daily cycle of at least one lactating female mammal into a daytime phase under a first light regime, a portion of light of the daytime phase being blue light, and a night-time phase under a second light regime; (b) exposing the mammal to the first light regime during the daytime phase; (c) exposing the mammal to the second light regime during the night-time phase; and (d) milking the mammal at least once during the night-time phase to obtain the milk with increased melatonin content; and wherein at least one light source which emits light in a wavelength range of 500 nm or above and substantially no light in a wavelength range below 500 nm is used for the second light regime.