Special Issue "Applied Reproduction in Farm Animals"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aristotelis G. Lymberopoulos
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Farm Animal Reproduction & Animal Breeding, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agriculture, International Hellenic University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: semen preservation and artificial insemination; andrology-spermatology; neuroendocrinology of farm animal reproduction; effect of mycotoxins on semen characteristics; acrosome reaction; membrane and chromatin integrity and fertilization capacity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Applied reproduction in farm animals is a very important objective when renewing generations for a given production purpose, mainly milk, meat or wool, according to species or breeds, and, in particular cases, the production of animals of high individual economic importance, as in horse racing. Several techniques have been developed for the effective control of reproduction in farm animals. For the male, semen, through the technology of artificial insemination, is now available for all farm animals and there is the possibility of delivering a small number of spermatozoa from the best pedigree sires to the maximum number of females with the best chance of fertilization. Appropriate control of the environment has provided the chance to produce semen in seasonal breeders, such as sheep and goats, and to keep them permanently at the top of their potential sperm production. For the female, as oestrus and ovulation can now efficiently be controlled, reproduction may be managed in different species of farm animal at any chosen period of the year. Different methods of reproductive technology (embryo manipulation, sexing and cloning of embryos, gene transfer) can further improve further the rate of genetic gain. Additionally, reproductive biotechnologies have helped increase understanding of many of the physiological events that occur in the reproduction of both males and females. Finally, genetic, anatomical, environmental, nutritional, metabolic, hormonal, immunological, pathological factors are resulting in reproductive failure.

The aim of this Special Issue is to stimulate and share information on applied reproduction in farm animals, concentrating on the following topics: reproductive processes; artificial insemination; management for improved reproduction; causes of reproductive failure.

Dr. Aristotelis G. Lymberopoulos
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 papers will be 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 monthly 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 1800 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

  • mating behavior
  • gestation
  • lactation
  • semen
  • artificial insemination
  • estrus synchronization
  • superovulation
  • embryo transfer
  • reproductive biotechnology
  • reproductive management
  • pregnancy diagnosis
  • environmental management
  • nutritional management
  • reproductive failure

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

Article
Effect of Boar Sperm Proteins and Quality Changes on Field Fertility
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1813; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061813 - 17 Jun 2021
Viewed by 343
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate boar sperm characteristics and proteins, in relation to their importance regarding in vivo fertility. Sixty-five ejaculates were used and 468 sows (parity ≥ 2) were inseminated. Sperm CASA kinetics, morphology, viability, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm membrane [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate boar sperm characteristics and proteins, in relation to their importance regarding in vivo fertility. Sixty-five ejaculates were used and 468 sows (parity ≥ 2) were inseminated. Sperm CASA kinetics, morphology, viability, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm membrane biochemical activity (HOST) and sperm proteins (Heat Shock Protein 90-HSP90, glutathione peroxidase-5-GPX5, Osteopontin 70-OPN70) were assessed and related to field fertility (number of live-born piglets—NLBP, litter size ≥ 12 piglets—LS, farrowing rate—FR). Statistical analysis was conducted with simple and multiple regression models. Simple regression analysis showed that immotile sperm (IM) significantly affected the NLBP and LS, explaining 6.7% and 6.5% of their variation, respectively. The HOST positive spermatozoa significantly affected the NLBP and LS, explaining 24.5% and 7.8% of their variation, respectively. Similarly, sperm with activated mitochondria significantly affected the NLBP, explaining 13.5% of its variation. Moreover, the OPN70 affected LS and FR, explaining 7.5% and 10.8% of their variation, respectively. Sperm GPX5 protein affected FR, explaining 6.7% of its variation. Multiple regression analysis showed that the combination of IM and/OPN70 explains 13.0% of the variation regarding LS, and the combination of GPX5 and OPN70 explains 13.6% of the variation regarding FR. In conclusion, the estimation of parameters IM, membrane biochemical activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, OPN and GPX5 can provide useful information regarding semen doses for field fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Reproduction in Farm Animals)
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