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Animals
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Advances in Canine Reproductive Health: From Fertility Management to Neonatal...
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Advances in Canine Reproductive Health: From Fertility Management to Neonatal Care

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 March 2026 | Viewed by 8544

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jasmine Fusi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: small animals; neonatology; obstetrics; pregnancy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Maria Cristina Veronesi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: domestic animals; reproduction; neonatology; clinical andrology; gynecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, significant strides have been made in understanding and enhancing canine reproductive health, spanning from fertility management to neonatal care. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advancements in canine reproduction and neonatology. Contributions are invited to cover a spectrum of topics, including reproductive physiology, assisted reproductive technologies, novel diagnostic approaches for fertility assessment, therapeutic interventions to optimize reproductive health, and strategies for improving neonatal care and development. Furthermore, this Issue will delve into emerging research on reproductive disorders, hormonal therapies, and nutritional influences impacting canine reproductive performances. We encourage submissions that advance our knowledge base, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and promote best practices in canine reproductive health.

Dr. Jasmine Fusi
Prof. Dr. Maria Cristina Veronesi
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • canine
  • fertility
  • pregnancy
  • neonatology
  • reproduction

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 580 KiB  
Article
Temporal Changes in Indicators of Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome in Labrador and Golden Retrievers
by Thomas Lewis, Rachel Moxon and Gary C. W. England
Animals 2025, 15(14), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142073 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 299
Abstract
Temporal changes in testicular traits have been reported in both humans and dogs. Analysis of % living sperm and motility from semen collections from 186 Labrador Retrievers and 113 Golden Retrievers between 2006 and 2023, and of incidents of cryptorchidism in over 15,000 [...] Read more.
Temporal changes in testicular traits have been reported in both humans and dogs. Analysis of % living sperm and motility from semen collections from 186 Labrador Retrievers and 113 Golden Retrievers between 2006 and 2023, and of incidents of cryptorchidism in over 15,000 dogs of the same breeds and crosses born between 1994 and 2023 was undertaken to determine influential factors. A general temporal increase in incidence of cryptorchidism masked significant differences in the trend between breeds, which persisted after accounting for genetic and litter effects. The incidence in the F1 cross was significantly lower than in either pure breed, implying hybrid vigour. The semen traits were both moderately repeatable within individuals, but this belied breed differences in its composition; for both traits, only the heritability was significantly greater than zero in the Golden Retriever, while only the permanent environment effect was present in Labrador Retrievers. There were significant negative temporal trends in Golden Retrievers for both semen traits, but not in Labrador Retrievers; significant negative effects of age (except on % motility in Labrador Retrievers); and significant negative effects of a diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia on both traits in both breeds. These results reveal complex breed by environment interactions in traits related to testicular form and function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Canine Reproductive Health: From Fertility Management to Neonatal Care)
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12 pages, 1050 KiB  
Article
Impact of Delivery Method on Serum Cortisol Levels and Neonatal Outcomes in Canine Cesarean Sections
by Renatha Almeida de Araújo, João Domingos Rocha-Júnior, Jaqueline Tamara Bonavina, Melissa de Oliveira Bianchini, Samara Beretta, Daniella Jorge Coutinho Armani, Marina Vilela Estevam, Gilson Hélio Toniollo, Henry David Mogollón García, Eunice Oba and Maricy Apparício
Animals 2025, 15(12), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121739 - 12 Jun 2025
Viewed by 564
Abstract
In this study, thirty female dogs, aged one to five years and varying in weight, in the last week of gestation were evaluated. The animals were divided into two groups: GC, which comprised twenty-two bitches undergoing elective cesarean section, and GD, which consisted [...] Read more.
In this study, thirty female dogs, aged one to five years and varying in weight, in the last week of gestation were evaluated. The animals were divided into two groups: GC, which comprised twenty-two bitches undergoing elective cesarean section, and GD, which consisted of eight dogs requiring therapeutic cesarean section as a treatment to dystocia. We found that cortisol levels in the amniotic fluid were significantly higher in pups delivered via elective cesareans (mean: 9.86 ng/mL) compared to those from therapeutic c-sections (mean: 4.11 ng/mL). This observation contrasted with previous studies that reported lower cortisol levels in elective procedures, suggesting complexities in the physiological responses to different delivery methods that warrant further investigation. Notably, our study observed no significant association between amniotic fluid meconium presence and other distress markers, indicating that meconium may be more closely associated with fetal maturation rather than distress (p > 0.05). Neonatal viability (Apgar score) revealed that 92.86% of the neonates from elective procedures demonstrated no distress shortly after delivery, contrasting with 56.25% in therapeutic c-section. Fetal distress can be a direct consequence of dystocia caused by various stressors, such as pain and hypoxia. These factors can impair the fetus’ ability to adapt to extrauterine life, often leading to lower Apgar scores. Notably, neonatal weight was directly related to fetal cortisol levels, while no significant associations were noted between the litter size or birth order and cortisol concentrations, irrespective of the delivery type. These findings underscore the need for ongoing investigation into the relationships between cesarean delivery types, maternal and neonatal stress markers, and resultant health outcomes, aiming to enhance care strategies for expectant canine mothers and their puppies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Canine Reproductive Health: From Fertility Management to Neonatal Care)
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15 pages, 2302 KiB  
Article
Vaginal Seeding: Is There Any Positive Effect in Canine C-Sections?
by Samara Beretta, Renatha Almeida de Araújo, Melissa Oliveira Bianchini, Jaqueline Tamara Bonavina, João Domingos Rocha-Júnior, Nayara Camatta Campos, Lucas José Luduverio Pizauro, Fernanda Andreza Rodrigues-Silva, Gilson Hélio Toniollo, Marita Vedovelli Cardozo and Maricy Apparício
Animals 2025, 15(3), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030416 - 2 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1353
Abstract
This study aimed to scrutinize variations in the intestinal microbiota of neonatal dogs born through natural birth versus elective cesarean section, focusing on evaluating the influence of vaginal seeding on the microbiota of cesarean-born neonates. Samples were collected from cesarean-sectioned females before anesthesia [...] Read more.
This study aimed to scrutinize variations in the intestinal microbiota of neonatal dogs born through natural birth versus elective cesarean section, focusing on evaluating the influence of vaginal seeding on the microbiota of cesarean-born neonates. Samples were collected from cesarean-sectioned females before anesthesia and from naturally birthing females during prodrome signs, along with neonates at eight time points from birth to 15 days of age. In the cesarean section group, seeding was performed in half of the neonates (cesarean section seeding group; seeding consisted of gently rubbing the gauze, obtained from the mother’s vagina, onto the mouths, faces, and bodies of the newborns), while the other half underwent microbiological sample collection without seeding (cesarean section group). Another group (normal birth group) consisted of naturally born neonates. Microbiota analysis included counting for enterobacteria, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. The results suggested that vertical transmission played a crucial role, but the method of birth did not emerge as the primary determinant of observed differences. Under study conditions, vaginal seeding failed to effectively modulate the microbiota of neonates born through elective cesarean section. Further investigations into the gut–brain axis are suggested for understanding factors influencing the initial development of the canine intestinal microbiota in neonates born through different delivery routes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Canine Reproductive Health: From Fertility Management to Neonatal Care)
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Review

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41 pages, 15640 KiB  
Review
Neonatal Clinical Assessment of the Puppy and Kitten: How to Identify Newborns at Risk?
by Keylla Helena Nobre Pacífico Pereira, Kárita da Mata Fuchs, Júlia Cosenza Mendonça, Gleice Mendes Xavier, Diogo Ribeiro Câmara, Raíssa Karolinny Salgueiro Cruz and Maria Lucia Gomes Lourenço
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233417 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 5043
Abstract
Neonatal puppies and kittens have physiological and anatomical characteristics that differ from those of adult animals, which impacts the interpretation of physical examination and complementary tests. The veterinarian must be familiar with the clinical, laboratory, and imaging aspects observed in neonates. It is [...] Read more.
Neonatal puppies and kittens have physiological and anatomical characteristics that differ from those of adult animals, which impacts the interpretation of physical examination and complementary tests. The veterinarian must be familiar with the clinical, laboratory, and imaging aspects observed in neonates. It is necessary to thoroughly evaluate the litter and the mother to notice the most subtle signs of illness and advise the owner to constantly monitor the newborns, quickly sending them to specialized care. This review describes how to perform clinical assessments of newborns systematically and recognize clinical signs of neonatal changes or affections in puppies and kittens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Canine Reproductive Health: From Fertility Management to Neonatal Care)
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