Immunological Regulation and Seminal Factors in Livestock Reproduction and Breeding Efficiency

Dear Colleagues,

Efficient reproduction is a fundamental determinant of productivity, economic viability, and sustainability in livestock production systems. In recent years, there has been growing attention on the role of immunological regulation and semen-related factors (including the semen microbiome) as key factors influencing semen quality, sperm functionality, fertilization success, and overall breeding performance.

Rapid advances in microbiome research, multi-omics technologies, and reproductive biotechnologies have created new opportunities to better understand the complex interactions between immune responses, microbial communities, semen components, extracellular vesicles, and sperm functional traits in the male reproductive tract. However, current knowledge remains fragmented across different disciplines, highlighting the need for an integrative platform that brings together fundamental and applied research in this evolving field.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments and to stimulate new research directions focused on improving reproductive efficiency, fertility management, and breeding strategies in livestock systems.

The topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Immunological mechanisms regulating semen quality and male fertility.
2. Diversity and functional roles of semen-related factors, including the semen microbiome.
3. Host–microbiome and immune interactions in the male reproductive tract.
4. Bioactive semen components, including proteins, extracellular vesicles, immune cells, metabolites, cytokines, and their roles in sperm functional traits
5. Infectious and inflammatory disorders affecting reproductive performance.
6. Oxidative stress and immune-related pathways in sperm function.
7. Molecular, microbiological, proteomic, metabolomic, and other multi-omics approaches in reproductive research.
8. Biomarker discovery and innovative semen evaluation technologies.
9. Semen preservation, cryopreservation, and reproductive biotechnologies.
10. Environmental and management-related factors influencing male fertility and breeding efficiency.

Dr. Mariola Słowińska
Dr. Laura Pardyak
Guest Editors

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