Hormone Shifts in Ruminant Reproduction in a Changing Climate
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 February 2026 | Viewed by 18
Special Issue Editor
Interests: neuroendocrinology; circadian rhythms; seasonally breeding animals; neuroinflammation; pineal gland; hypothalamus; orexin A; melatonin; leptin; ghrelin
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue entitled "Hormone Shifts in Ruminant Reproduction in a Changing Climate", to be published in the journal Animals. Climate change is a growing global challenge with profound effects on animal biology and agricultural sustainability. Ruminants, which play a key role in food production systems, are particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors such as elevated ambient temperatures, altered photoperiods, and unpredictable forage availability. These stressors disrupt endocrine homeostasis and have significant implications for reproductive efficiency, fertility, and offspring viability. The study of hormone-driven reproductive adaptations or maladaptations in response to changing climatic conditions is therefore of high relevance to animal science, veterinary medicine, and sustainable livestock management.
This Special Issue aims at gathering cutting-edge research exploring the hormonal mechanisms underlying reproductive function in ruminants exposed to climate-related environmental stress. It aligns with the journal’s scope by addressing key aspects of animal physiology, behavior, health, and production in response to external conditions. We seek to provide a multidisciplinary platform to advance the understanding of endocrine responses and support evidence-based strategies for reproductive management in the face of global climate change.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Hormonal regulation of reproduction in ruminants under heat stress and other climatic stressors;
- Alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axes due to environmental change;
- The role of metabolic, photoperiodic, and circadian hormones (e.g., melatonin, leptin, and insulin) in seasonal and climate-related reproductive shifts;
- Molecular and epigenetic mechanisms mediating climate-induced reproductive changes;
- Species-specific endocrine adaptations and their implications for fertility and reproductive success;
- Strategies for improving reproductive outcomes and sustainability in livestock systems exposed to climate stress.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Katarzyna Kirsz
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 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
- climate change
- ruminants
- reproductive hormones
- heat stress
- endocrine disruption
- fertility
- hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis
- seasonal reproduction
- melatonin
- livestock adaptation
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