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Agriculture
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Advancements in Reproductive Biotechnology and Nutritional Strategies in Livestock Production
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Advancements in Reproductive Biotechnology and Nutritional Strategies in Livestock Production

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2026) | Viewed by 5271

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Desislava Abadjieva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: animal reproduction and physiology; epigenetics; feed additives; nutritional strategies
Dr. Filipp Georgijevič Savvulidi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: ram and buck sperm cryopreservation; ram and buck semen analysis; flow cytometry of sperm from large and small ruminants; sperm motility evaluation; semen diluents for small ruminants; artificial insemination of sheep and goats
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Martin Ptáček

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: breeding of small ruminants; artificial insemination; sheep and goats synchronization; sheep husbandry; goats husbandry; animal biotechnology; sheep production; sperm cryopreservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The livestock industry is undergoing a transformative era, driven by cutting-edge reproductive biotechnology and innovative nutritional strategies. Improvements to reproductive efficiency through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and embryo transfer are revolutionizing genetic improvement and breeding programs. These improvements are allowing precision breeding, increasing productivity while ensuring genetic diversity and sustainability.

Simultaneously, the optimization of livestock nutrition plays a key role in maximizing animal health, growth, and reproductive performance. Emerging precision feeding systems and the integration of nutrigenomics are allowing the development of customized diet formulations that increase efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The synergy between reproductive biotechnology and advanced nutritional strategies could lead to a promising future for sustainable animal production.

For this Special Issue, we invite researchers, veterinarians, and industry professionals to explore the latest innovations in these fields, addressing the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of animal farming. Join us in advancing scientific knowledge and developing practical applications to improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability in animal production.

Dr. Desislava Abadjieva
Dr. Filipp Georgijevič Savvulidi
Dr. Martin Ptáček
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • reproductive biotechnology
  • genetic improvement
  • livestock nutrition
  • livestock productivity
  • animal health

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 559 KB  
Article
The Influence of Grape Skin Flour on Reproductive Performance in Botoşani Karakul Rams
by Constantin Pascal, Claudia Pânzaru, Daniel Simeanu, Cristina-Gabriela Radu-Rusu and Ionică Nechifor
Agriculture 2025, 15(23), 2513; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232513 - 3 Dec 2025
Viewed by 798
Abstract
The present research aimed to analyze the influence of dietary supplementation with grape skin flour (GSF) in rams on body weight, body condition, semen quality, plasma testosterone levels, behavior, and fertility. The biological material consisted of four groups of rams (GSF0, GSF30, GSF60, [...] Read more.
The present research aimed to analyze the influence of dietary supplementation with grape skin flour (GSF) in rams on body weight, body condition, semen quality, plasma testosterone levels, behavior, and fertility. The biological material consisted of four groups of rams (GSF0, GSF30, GSF60, and GSF90), with each group comprising six adult individuals. The experimental period lasted 60 days and was carried out prior to the onset of the mating season. During this period, the experimental factor was represented by the supplementation level: GSF30 received 30 g GSF/kg dry matter (DM), GSF60 received 60 g GSF/kg DM, while GSF90 received 90 g GSF/kg DM. Although no significant differences in live body weight (LW) were observed among groups at the beginning of the mating period (MP), the additional supplementation with GSF supported a more consistent accumulation of body reserves. As a result, at the onset of the mating season (MS), body weight increased, though with different intensities: by 0.77% in L0 and by more than 6% in GSF90, with the difference between L0 and GSF90 being highly significant at p ≥ 0.01 (p value = 0.0028). Furthermore, GSF administration induced highly significant differences between GSF0 and GSF60 in body condition score (p ≤ 0.01), and high significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) between GSF0 and GSF90 in testicular circumference. Regarding ejaculate volume, differences were highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) only between GSF0 and GSF60, whereas sperm motility showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between GSF0 and GSF60, and highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) between GSF0 and GSF90. The fertility of the rams, assessed by the total number of ewes fertilized, showed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) between GSF0 and GSF60, as well as between GSF0 and GSF90. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Reproductive Biotechnology and Nutritional Strategies in Livestock Production)
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15 pages, 3180 KB  
Article
Comparative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Profiling of Ovaries from Two Pig Breeds with Contrasting Reproductive Phenotype
by Sui Liufu, Jun Ouyang, Yi Jiang, Lanlin Xiao, Bohe Chen, Kaiming Wang, Wenwu Chen, Xin Xu, Caihong Liu and Haiming Ma
Agriculture 2025, 15(23), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232471 - 28 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Although numerous quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes have been implicated in litter size in certain pig breeds, the genetic basis underlying the pronounced differences in reproductive capacity among breeds remains incompletely understood. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the heterogeneity [...] Read more.
Although numerous quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes have been implicated in litter size in certain pig breeds, the genetic basis underlying the pronounced differences in reproductive capacity among breeds remains incompletely understood. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the heterogeneity in reproductive capacity, we performed integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on ovarian tissues from two pig breeds with contrasting litter sizes: Diannan Small-ear (DSE) pigs and Yorkshire (YK) pigs. YK pigs exhibited significantly higher total born piglets. Transcriptome analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs in YK ovaries were enriched in ovarian steroidogenesis, retinol metabolism, vitamin digestion/absorption, and folate biosynthesis. In contrast, DSE pigs showed enrichment in inflammatory and immune-related pathways. Furthermore, integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs in YK pigs, such as STAR and COL3A1, and concurrently elevated metabolites (e.g., L-threonine, L-asparagine, L-proline, L-methionine, arachidonic acid, and progesterone) were jointly enriched in three key pathways: protein digestion and absorption, mineral absorption, and aldosterone synthesis and secretion. These genes and metabolites are implicated in granulosa cell and oocyte proliferation, maturation, and protection against oxidative damage. Our findings provide a theoretical foundation for future strategies aimed at improving reproductive performance through targeted modulation of key genes and metabolites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Reproductive Biotechnology and Nutritional Strategies in Livestock Production)
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Review

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31 pages, 1168 KB  
Review
Sheep Artificial Insemination: History, Current Practices, Limitations, and Methodological Challenges
by Lucie Langerová, Filipp Georgijevič Savvulidi, Martin Ptáček, Christopher LeBrun, Desislava Abadjieva, Alikhan Magauiya, Aizhan Makhanbetova, Temirkhan Kenzhebaev, Beybit Kulataev and Nurlan Malmakov
Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020160 - 8 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2975
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) is a key reproductive biotechnology for genetic improvement in sheep. However, its efficiency remains lower and more variable than in most other livestock species. This review critically synthesizes the historical foundations of sheep AI, including methodological principles established by the [...] Read more.
Artificial insemination (AI) is a key reproductive biotechnology for genetic improvement in sheep. However, its efficiency remains lower and more variable than in most other livestock species. This review critically synthesizes the historical foundations of sheep AI, including methodological principles established by the Soviet school, and evaluates how these concepts have been further developed and adapted to contemporary reproductive biology. Particular emphasis is placed on estrous synchronization protocols, semen processing and cryopreservation, and insemination techniques. We highlight how anatomical constraints of the ovine cervix, seasonal reproductive physiology, and species-specific characteristics of ram sperm collectively limit fertility outcomes, especially when frozen–thawed semen is used. Comparative analysis of cervical, transcervical, and laparoscopic insemination methods indicates that laparoscopic AI remains the most reliable approach, although recent advances in catheter design and semen handling have improved the feasibility of less invasive techniques. This review further discusses emerging approaches, including sperm sex-sorting, alternative recovery methods, and early-stage spermatogonial stem cell–based technologies, emphasizing both their potential applications and current limitations. Overall, the available evidence suggests that future progress in sheep AI will depend on the integrated optimization of hormonal synchronization, semen preservation, and insemination strategies, rather than on isolated technical innovations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Reproductive Biotechnology and Nutritional Strategies in Livestock Production)
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