Ruminant Gametes and Reproductive Physiology
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Interests: reproductive biology; reproductive toxicology; molecular biology; histopathology; genotoxicity and cytotoxicity; heavy metals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Ruminant gametes and reproductive physiology are foundational to livestock productivity, genetic improvement, and sustainable agriculture, modulated by genetics, nutrition, environment, and management. Unique traits (seasonal breeding, prolonged gestation, complex folliculogenesis) make ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer) exceptional models for comparative reproductive biology.
Recent decades have brought critical challenges to the ruminant industry: declining reproductive efficiency in intensive systems; demand for genetically selected reproductive traits; climate change adaptation; optimization of assisted reproductive technologies (ART); and balancing productivity with animal welfare. These require integrated research from molecular mechanisms to on-farm applications.
Advances in molecular biology, single-cell omics, and precision livestock farming have advanced understanding of gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryogenesis, and hormone regulation. However, key gaps remain: gamete quality control mechanisms; stress-induced reproductive adaptation; ART optimization (IVF, embryo transfer, cryopreservation); genetic regulation of reproductive traits; and pathophysiology of reproductive disorders.
This Special Issue invites original research, reviews, and perspectives on (but not limited to) the following:
- Molecular/cellular mechanisms of gametogenesis, maturation, and activation;
- Fertilization and early embryonic development regulation;
- Key genes/proteins/signaling pathways in reproduction;
- ART innovation and optimization;
- Impacts of nutrition, climate, and management on reproductive performance;
- Genomic breeding for superior reproductive traits;
- Gamete/embryo cryopreservation and biobanking;
- Reproductive disorder pathophysiology and mitigation;
- Multi-omics/bioinformatics in reproductive research;
- Sustainable reproductive management for eco-friendly agriculture.
We aim to create a platform bridging theoretical advances and practical applications. We welcome your contributions to advance ruminant reproductive science and support global livestock sustainability.
Dr. Javier Moran Martinez
Guest Editor
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. Animals 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 2400 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
- ruminant reproductive physiology
- assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
- gametogenesis and em-bryogenesis
- sustainable livestock
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