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The Role of Reproductive Microbiota in Animal Fertility and Reproductive...
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The Role of Reproductive Microbiota in Animal Fertility and Reproductive Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 October 2026 | Viewed by 2016

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aleksandar Cojkic

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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
Interests: veterinary medicine; reproduction; reproductive biotechnology; bacteriology; antimicrobial resistance
Dr. Michal Ďuračka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
Interests: male reproduction; sperm; andrology; antibiotics; bioactive compounds

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advances in microbiome research have highlighted the critical role of reproductive microbiota in animal fertility, reproductive health, and breeding programs. The reproductive microbiota, comprising the diverse microbial communities inhabiting the reproductive system, can significantly influence the quality of sperm, the development of embryos, and the overall success of reproduction. Understanding the interactions between host organisms and their microbiota provides insights that could enhance the success of reproduction, the prevention of diseases, and animal conservation efforts.

In both male and female reproductive systems, the balance of microbial populations plays an important role in maintaining reproductive health. Moreover, the microbiota of other organ systems, such as the gastrointestinal tract and mammary glands, may indirectly influence reproductive health via complex microbiome–host interactions. The incorporation of microbiota-based strategies into assisted reproductive technologies and conservation programs offers opportunities regarding the enhancement of reproductive outcomes in both domestic and wild animal populations.

By addressing these key issues, this Special Issue aims to provide a clearer understanding of how the reproductive microbiota influence fertility, reproductive health, and breeding practices. It is our hope that this Special Issue will stimulate further research and contribute to the development of innovative microbiota-based interventions that improve reproductive outcomes in both domestic and wild animals.

Dr. Aleksandar Cojkic
Dr. Michal Ďuračka
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 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

  • reproductive microbiota
  • animal fertility
  • male reproductive health
  • female reproductive tract
  • mammary gland microbiota
  • microbiome-host interactions
  • assisted reproductive technologies
  • animal conservation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4138 KB  
Article
Fecal Microbial Community Characteristics of Oula and Hu Sheep and Their Correlation with Semen Quality
by Lu Shao, Peidi Zhao, Jiaxun Dong, Xiuxiu Weng and Wanhong Li
Animals 2026, 16(6), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16060953 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 143
Abstract
Semen quality and fecal microbial composition were compared between native Oula rams reared on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and Hu sheep rams introduced from lowland regions. Semen quality was analyzed in eight adult Oula rams and eight Hu rams, and fecal microbial composition was [...] Read more.
Semen quality and fecal microbial composition were compared between native Oula rams reared on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and Hu sheep rams introduced from lowland regions. Semen quality was analyzed in eight adult Oula rams and eight Hu rams, and fecal microbial composition was assessed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Results indicated that sperm acrosome integrity was significantly higher in Hu sheep than in Oula sheep (p < 0.001); other semen parameters showed no significant differences. Significant differences were also observed in fecal microbial communities between the two breeds. Compared with Hu sheep, Oula sheep exhibited higher microbial abundance and diversity at the phylum level, particularly Campylobacterota, Euryarchaeota, Planctomycetota, Verrucomicrobiota, Myxococcota, and Deferibacterota (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Oula sheep had significantly higher abundances of Treponema, Campylobacter, Methanobrevibacter, UCG-009, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, [Eubacterium]nodatum group, Candidatus Soleaferrea, Akkermansia, and unidentified_Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated associations between sheep semen quality and the top 30 abundant fecal microbial genera. Six genera showed significant positive correlations with acrosome integrity rate, and eight genera exhibited significant negative correlations (p < 0.05). Two genera were correlated positively with plasma membrane integrity rate (p < 0.05). Prevotellaceae_UCG-004 was positively correlated with sperm motility and Progressive Motility spermatozoa proportion (p < 0.05); Ruminococcus showed a significant positive correlation with sperm linear motility and a significant negative correlation with acrosome integrity rate (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the microbial groups enriched in Oula sheep fecal samples and exhibiting negative correlations with acrosome integrity—including Ruminococcus, Treponema, Akkermansia, and Euryarchaeota—are associated with sperm quality through physiological adaptation mechanisms specific to high-altitude environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Reproductive Microbiota in Animal Fertility and Reproductive Health)
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21 pages, 2852 KB  
Article
Bacterial and Fungal Dynamics of the Uterine Microbiota in Postpartum Beef Cows Supplemented with Grape Pomace
by Inga Merkelytė, Šarūnė Marašinskienė, Rasa Nainienė, Urtė Pelenė, Laura Šakarnytė and Artūras Šiukščius
Animals 2026, 16(5), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16050810 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 197
Abstract
The bovine uterus, once considered sterile, is now recognized as a dynamic microbial ecosystem that undergoes substantial changes during the postpartum period and plays a critical role in reproductive health. This study investigated the composition and temporal dynamics of the uterine bacterial and [...] Read more.
The bovine uterus, once considered sterile, is now recognized as a dynamic microbial ecosystem that undergoes substantial changes during the postpartum period and plays a critical role in reproductive health. This study investigated the composition and temporal dynamics of the uterine bacterial and fungal microbiota in postpartum Angus cows and showed that dietary grape pomace bolus supplementation was associated with temporal shifts in microbial community composition, including changes in selected bacterial taxa and increased fungal community stability. A total of 19 cows were allocated to control (n = 10) or treatment groups (n = 9), with treated animals receiving slow-release grape pomace boluses administered every three weeks from 21 days prepartum until 60–70 days postpartum. Uterine lavage samples were collected during the first (days 4–12) and ninth (days 63–70) postpartum weeks and analyzed using amplicon-based sequencing targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA (V3–V4) region and the fungal ITS2 region. The uterine microbiota exhibited pronounced temporal changes, with Firmicutes predominating in the early postpartum period and an increased abundance of potentially pathogenic Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes observed by week nine postpartum, particularly in control cows. Grape pomace supplementation was associated with a more favorable bacterial profile, including a reduced relative abundance of key uterine pathogens such as Fusobacterium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes. The uterine mycobiome was dominated by Ascomycota across all groups; however, supplemented cows showed greater fungal community stability and a lower prevalence of opportunistic genera, including Candida spp. In conclusion, dietary grape pomace supplementation may beneficially modulate both bacterial and fungal uterine microbiota during the postpartum period, suggesting its potential as a natural strategy to support uterine microbial homeostasis and reproductive health in beef cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Reproductive Microbiota in Animal Fertility and Reproductive Health)
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22 pages, 1855 KB  
Article
Taxonomic Profile of Cultivable Microbiota from Adult Sheep Follicular Fluid and Its Effects on In Vitro Development of Prepubertal Lamb Oocytes
by Slavcho Mrenoshki, Letizia Temerario, Antonella Mastrorocco, Grazia Visci, Elisabetta Notario, Marinella Marzano, Nicola Antonio Martino, Daniela Mrenoshki, Giovanni Michele Lacalandra, Graziano Pesole and Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
Animals 2025, 15(13), 1951; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131951 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to analyze the taxonomic profile and to evaluate the functional effects of sheep FF cultivable microbiota on prepubertal lamb oocytes PLOs developmental potential. Ovarian FFs were recovered from slaughtered adult sheep via the aspiration of developing [...] Read more.
The aims of the present study were to analyze the taxonomic profile and to evaluate the functional effects of sheep FF cultivable microbiota on prepubertal lamb oocytes PLOs developmental potential. Ovarian FFs were recovered from slaughtered adult sheep via the aspiration of developing follicles and used for microbiota propagation. Bacterial pellets underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted culturomics, whereas cell-free supernatants were used as supplements for the in vitro maturation (IVM) of slaughtered PLOs. For the first time, bacteria presence in adult sheep FF was detected, with the first report of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius (as a species) and Burkholderia cepacia (as a genus and species) in either animal or human FF. The short- and long-term effects of bacterial metabolites on PLO maturation and embryonic development were demonstrated. As short-term effects, the addition of FF microbiota metabolites did not affect the oocyte nuclear maturation and mitochondria distribution pattern, except in one of the examined supernatants, which reduced all quantitative bioenergetic/oxidative parameters. As long-term effects, one of them reduced the total cleavage rate after in vitro embryo culture (IVC). In conclusion, microbiota/bacteria are present in adult sheep FF and may influence reproductive outcomes in vitro. Future studies may reveal the beneficial in vitro effects using the microbiome from preovulatory follicles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Reproductive Microbiota in Animal Fertility and Reproductive Health)
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