Applied Reproduction in Farm Animals

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

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