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Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition

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A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 11787

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Dr. Fang Chen

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Guest Editor

Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Interests: sow nutrition; placenta; intrauterine growth restriction; nutrient transport
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Dr. Jun Chen

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Guest Editor

Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Interests: sow and piglet nutrition; antioxidants; oxidative stress; trace elements; plant-derived bioactive additives
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Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress plays an important role in animals during reproductive phases. In turn, reproductive phases are commonly regarded as a significant source of oxidative stress. Furthermore, a myriad of stress challenges may be encountered, resulting in oxidative stress for reproductive animals, including environmental stress (such as heat stress), dietary stress sources (such as exposure to mycotoxins and the utilization of oxidized oil or fat in the diets), and social stress, among others.

This research topic will mainly focus on identifying the potential sources of oxidative stress in animal reproduction, as well as investigating the ameliorative effects of nutritional interventions on oxidative injury, thereby resulting in improved productivity. To begin with, the present topic will concentrate on stress sources that have the potential to lead to oxidative stress, which may occur in animals during specific physiological phases, such as gestation and lactation in female mammals and service male animals, as well as laying poultry. It may also be induced by various forms of environmental stress, including heat stress, mycotoxin exposure, and management stress (social stress).

Additionally, further emphasis will be placed on the nutritional regulation of antioxidant function and oxidative stress status in reproductive animals, utilizing either animals or in vitro cells. The nutrients include, but are not limited to, vitamins, trace elements, amino acids, fatty acids, and plant-derived polyphenols. In addition, this topic encourages research involving model animals, such as mice and rats, to investigate the underlying mechanisms of oxidative stress or antioxidant defences in female and male reproduction.

Dr. Fang Chen
Dr. Jun Chen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

oxidative stress
antioxidants
animal reproduction
nutritional regulation
livestock and poultry
mouse or rat model
antioxidant mechanisms
oxidative stress mechanisms

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 6567 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lutein-Associated Crosstalk Between Hepatic Transcriptional Programs and Cecal Microbiota Is Linked to Antioxidant, Stress, and Immune Homeostasis in Laying Hens

by Guanghui Li, Lei Liu, Hongchang Gu, Xia Chen, Zhixun Yan, Lingchao Zeng, Yutao Sun, Ying Bai, Huagui Liu and Qin Chu

Antioxidants 2026, 15(6), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15060661 - 24 May 2026

Viewed by 183

Abstract

Lutein is a dietary xanthophyll carotenoid with recognized antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential, yet the molecular basis underlying its nutritional effects in laying hens remains insufficiently understood. Here, liver transcriptomic profiling and 16S rRNA sequencing were combined to investigate the response of laying hens to dietary lutein supplementation. A total of 951 differentially expressed genes were identified in the liver, indicating marked transcriptional remodeling after lutein supplementation. Functional enrichment, gene set enrichment, and weighted gene co-expression network analyses consistently showed that these changes were mainly associated with metabolic regulation, redox/stress adaptation, and immune-related communication. In parallel, lutein supplementation changed cecal microbial community structure and shifted specific microbial biomarkers. Integrated correlation analyses further identified candidate host–microbiota association patterns, including a KLF2/FOXO3/Faecalibacterium axis and a KLF2/IL8L2/Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group axis. Overall, dietary lutein was associated with coordinated changes in the hepatic transcriptional profile and cecal microbial community structure, which converged on these two functional directions. These findings provide new insight into the nutritional effects of lutein in laying hens and identify candidate pathways and microbial nodes for future functional validation in poultry feeding systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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16 pages, 8045 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Dietary Capsaicinoids Supplementation on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Colon Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

by Kangwei Hou, Zhixiang Ni, Jiangdi Mao and Haifeng Wang

Antioxidants 2026, 15(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15010129 - 19 Jan 2026

Viewed by 732

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of encapsulated capsaicinoids (CAPs), containing 0.47% capsaicin and 0.22% dihydrocapsaicin, on growth, serum parameters, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health in weaned piglets. A total of 168 piglets were randomly assigned to four groups: a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 200 (LDC), 400 (MDC), or 600 (HDC) mg/kg of CAPs. The results indicated that CAPs improved lipid metabolism, evidenced by higher crude fat digestibility in the LDC and MDC groups and reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in all CAP groups compared to the control. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the MDC and HDC groups. Histological analysis showed reduced hepatic vacuolation, enlarged fungiform papillae with shallower taste pores in the tongue epithelium, and deeper ileal crypts in the LDC group. At the molecular level, ZO-1 expression in the ileum was significantly upregulated in LDC piglets. Colonic microbiota analysis revealed decreased relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut, while Butyricicoccus was significantly enriched in the LDC group. In conclusion, CAPs supplementation enhanced fat digestibility, lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, intestinal development, and colonic microbiota composition, with the 200 mg/kg dose showing the most pronounced effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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15 pages, 4826 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Chlorogenic Acid Supplementation Alleviates Heat Stress-Induced Intestinal Oxidative Damage by Activating Nrf2 Signaling in Rabbits

by Jiali Chen, Rongmei Ji, Fuchang Li and Lei Liu

Antioxidants 2026, 15(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15010002 - 19 Dec 2025

Viewed by 733

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) significantly threatens the sustainability of the rabbit industry, primarily by inducing oxidative damage to the intestine, which compromises both the health and productivity of rabbits. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) belongs to a major class of natural polyphenols and possesses significant antioxidant properties. This study aimed to elucidate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of CGA against HS-induced intestinal damage in rabbits. In vivo, compared with the HS group, CGA significantly elevated serum CAT and SOD activities (p < 0.05), as well as reduced serum MDA and jejunal HSP70 levels (p < 0.05) in HS-challenged rabbits. In addition, CGA reversed HS-induced downregulation of antioxidant genes (HO-1, SOD1) and upregulation of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, caspase-3) (p < 0.05). In vitro, CGA significantly suppressed HS-induced intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, ROS overproduction, and tight junction protein (occludin, ZO-1) downregulation (p < 0.05) by activating Nrf2 signaling. Specific inhibition of Nrf2 significantly abolished CGA’s protective effects. These results strongly suggest that CGA alleviates HS-induced intestinal oxidative damage and maintains barrier integrity via Nrf2 signaling. This finding offers a safe nutritional intervention to enhance HS resistance and growth performance in rabbits, addressing a key constraint to the sustainability of the rabbit industry amid global warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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17 pages, 5787 KB

Open AccessArticle

Protective Effects of Tributyrin on Cyclic Heat-Stressed Taihe Silky Fowls: Insights into Oxidative Status, Inflammatory Response, and Mucosal Barrier Function

by Chuanbin Chen, Mingren Qu, Guanhong Li, Gen Wan, Huimin Liu, Wenyan Zhang and Lanjiao Xu

Antioxidants 2025, 14(12), 1511; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14121511 - 17 Dec 2025

Viewed by 897

Abstract

This study examined the protective impact of tributyrin on heat-stressed Taihe silky fowls, providing insight into oxidative status, inflammatory response, and mucosal barrier function. Three hundred chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatments: control (CON, 24 ± 1 °C) fed with basal diet and 5 heat stress (HS) treatments (34 ± 1 °C for 8 h/d) fed with basal diet containing 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32% tributyrin. Heat stress elevated serum malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), D-lactate, and diamine oxidase levels, and decreased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels (p < 0.05). Compared with HS treatment, tributyrin reversed these serum changes (p < 0.05). Moreover, HS elevated jejunal and ileal MDA content and IL-1β mRNA abundance, decreased GSH-Px activity, villus height (VH), VH: crypt depth ratio, and mRNA abundance of IL-10, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and decreased cecal butyrate content (p < 0.05). Compared with HS treatment, tributyrin reduced jejunal and ileal MDA content and IL-1β mRNA abundance, increased GSH-Px activity, VH, and mRNA abundance of IL-4, IL-10, occludin, and ZO-1, and increased cecal butyrate content (p < 0.05). In conclusion, tributyrin enhanced antioxidant capacity, attenuated inflammatory responses, increased cecal butyrate content, and improved intestinal morphology and mucosal barrier function in cyclic heat-stressed Taihe silky fowls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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17 pages, 2451 KB

Open AccessArticle

Methyl Gallate Enhances Post-Thaw Boar Sperm Quality by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Preserving Mitochondrial Function

by Yonghui Bu, Deming Shi, Jiahao Li, Xiaoxiang Jiang, Yuhan Chen, Zhenjun Wu, Wanxin Li, Li Li, Shouquan Zhang and Hengxi Wei

Antioxidants 2025, 14(12), 1465; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14121465 - 7 Dec 2025

Viewed by 880

Abstract

Cryopreservation is a crucial technique for the long-term preservation of swine genetic resources. However, its efficiency remains limited by cryo-induced oxidative stress, which compromises sperm membrane integrity, mitochondrial function, and fertilizing capacity. Methyl gallate (MG), a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant, has demonstrated strong free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of MG supplementation on sperm quality and fertilization capacity during boar semen cryopreservation. Semen samples were cryopreserved in extenders containing different concentrations of MG (0, 10, 20, 30, and 50 µM). Post-thaw sperm quality, oxidative status, mitochondrial activity, apoptosis-related markers, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes were comprehensively assessed. The results showed that supplementation with 20 µM MG significantly improved post-thaw motility, viability, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP content, and antioxidant capacity, while decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reducing apoptosis (p < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 was upregulated, whereas that of the pro-apoptotic protein BAX was downregulated. Sperm cryopreserved with 20 µM MG also exhibited a significantly higher IVF cleavage rate compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, MG supplementation effectively enhanced boar sperm cryosurvival by maintaining membrane stability, improving mitochondrial function, and mitigating oxidative stress during freezing and thawing. These findings suggest that MG is a promising antioxidant additive for improving the efficiency of boar semen cryopreservation systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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23 pages, 6403 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Thymol–Carvacrol Cocrystal Supplementation Improves Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, and Intestinal Health in Broiler Chickens

by Jingzhe Yang, Changjin Li, Shuzhen Jiang, Yuemeng Fu, Guohui Zhou, Yufei Gao, Weiren Yang and Yang Li

Antioxidants 2025, 14(11), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14111323 - 1 Nov 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1924

Abstract

This study investigated the impacts of dietary thymol–carvacrol cocrystal (CEO) supplementation on broiler production performance, antioxidant status, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota. Eight hundred one-day-old chicks were randomly divided into four groups, receiving basal diets supplemented with 0, 40, 60, or 80 mg/kg CEO. The results showed that CEO addition increased average daily gain, superoxide dismutase activity in the serum, liver, and jejunum, jejunal villus height/crypt depth ratio, cecal butyric acid concentration, and Lactobacillus abundance, while reducing serum alanine transaminase activity and malondialdehyde content in the serum, liver, and jejunum. Furthermore, 60 mg/kg CEO enhanced the final body weight, dressing percentage, serum total protein and glucose levels, and jejunal trypsin and amylase activities, while lowering the feed-to-gain ratio and serum cholesterol, urea nitrogen, and aspartate transaminase concentrations; it also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione and mRNA expressions of related genes in the liver and jejunum. It also increased cecal concentrations of acetic acid and isovalerate acid, while decreasing serum diamine oxidase and D-lactate concentrations, as well as malondialdehyde concentrations in the serum, liver, and jejunum. Therefore, dietary CEO supplementation improved the production performance, antioxidant status, and liver and gut health and function in broilers, with 60 mg/kg CEO demonstrating the most pronounced effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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27 pages, 11269 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Regulatory Effects of Fermented Chinese Chive on Early Testicular Development in Piglets

by Yupeng Xie, Suthar Teerath Kumar, Hong Zou, Ting-Ting Luo, Yunpeng Zhang, Qi Zhang, Yang Li, Kai-Min Niu, Zhenya Zhai, Chunfeng Wang, Wu-Sheng Sun and Shu-Min Zhang

Antioxidants 2025, 14(9), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14091056 - 28 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1743

Abstract

Early testicular development is vital for adult male fertility but remains highly vulnerable to stress during the suckling stage. Fermented Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) is known for its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, yet its role in testicular development remains unclear. In this study, Songliao Black piglets received 3‰ fermented Chinese chive (LK group) mixed with starter feed and compared to a control (OD group). Testicular samples at weaning (28 days) underwent transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Although no significant differences were observed in gross testicular morphology, the LK group significantly increased individual (13.85%) and litter (15.11%) weaning weights (p < 0.05), with elevated serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and a 32.2% rise in IgG levels (p < 0.05). Integrated analysis identified 76 shared pathways, including ferroptosis, insulin resistance, PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and cAMP signaling. Upregulated genes in the LK group were mainly related to energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, immune regulation, steroidogenesis, and neuroendocrine signaling, suggesting improved metabolic activity, reduced oxidative stress, and accelerated reproductive maturation. Molecular docking indicated that kaempferol and isorhamnetin from Chinese chive bind strongly to proteins involved in testicular development. Overall, fermented Chinese chive supplementation enhances early testicular development in suckling piglets via integrated modulation of metabolic, immune, and signaling pathways, providing a nutritional strategy to optimize reproductive potential in breeding boars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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22 pages, 7389 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mangosteen Pericarp Extract Mitigates Diquat-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Stress by NRF2/HO-1 Activation, Intestinal Barrier Integrity Restoration, and Gut Microbiota Modulation

by Weichen Huang, Yujie Lv, Chenhao Zou, Chaoyue Ge, Shenao Zhan, Xinyu Shen, Lianchi Wu, Xiaoxu Wang, Hongmeng Yuan, Gang Lin, Dongyou Yu and Bing Liu

Antioxidants 2025, 14(9), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14091045 - 25 Aug 2025

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2018

Abstract

Poultry production exposes birds to diverse environmental and physiological stressors that disrupt redox balance, impair gut–liver axis function, and undermine health and productivity. This study investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) in an experimental model of diquat-induced oxidative stress in laying hens. A total of 270 Hy-Line White laying hens were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (CON), diquat-challenged group (DQ), and MEP intervention with diquat-challenged group (MQ), with six replicates of 15 birds each. The results showed that MPE supplementation effectively mitigated the hepatic oxidative damage caused by diquat, as evidenced by the increased ALT and AST activity, improved lipid metabolism, and reduced hepatic fibrosis. Mechanistically, MPE activated the NRF2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway, thus enhancing the liver’s ability to counteract ROS-induced damage and reducing lipid droplet accumulation in liver tissue. MPE supplementation restored intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction protein expression (Occludin-1 and ZO-1), enhancing MUC-2 expression, and thereby decreasing gut microbiota-derived LPS transferring from the intestine. Additionally, MPE also modulated gut microbiota composition by enriching beneficial bacterial genera such as Lactobacillus and Ruminococcus while suppressing the growth of potentially harmful taxa (e.g., Bacteroidales and UCG-010). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from MPE-treated donors into diquat-exposed recipients reproduced these beneficial effects, further highlighting the role of gut microbiota modulation in mediating MPE’s systemic protective actions. Together, these findings demonstrated that MPE alleviated DQ-induced liver injury and oxidative stress through a combination of antioxidant activity, protection of intestinal barrier function, and modulation of gut microbiota, positioning MPE as a promising natural strategy for mitigating oxidative stress-related liver damage by regulating the gut microbiota and gut–liver axis in poultry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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21 pages, 3896 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Glyceryl Monolaurate Supplementation During Pregnancy Enhances Fetal Intrauterine Development and Antioxidant Capacity in Sows via Microbiota Modulation

by Zhichao Fu, Jun Wang, Yueqi Zhao, Tanyi Deng, Ziwei Ma, Wutai Guan, Xiangfang Zeng and Fang Chen

Antioxidants 2025, 14(7), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14070783 - 25 Jun 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1163

Abstract

This study elucidates the mechanisms underlying the positive effect of glyceryl monolaurate (GML) on fetal intrauterine development via maternal gut-microbiota modulating effects using a sow model. Addition of GML (1000 mg/kg) improved neonatal intestinal conditions (jejunal villus height, VH/CD ratio and tight junctions) and dorsal longissimus muscle (MyoD, MyoG and MSTN) development in the GML-treated group. Furthermore, GML improved maternal gut microbiota composition by enriching short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. Meanwhile, SCFA concentrations in sow feces and newborn plasma, as well as their receptors (GPR41/43) in intestine and muscle were upregulated with GML, corresponding with enhanced antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capacity. Further correlation analysis revealed Akkermansia and Lactobacillus positively correlated with SCFAs, antioxidative indicators, and anti-inflammatory capacity markers. Moreover, GML inhibited the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. In summary, GML enhanced fetal intrauterine development by modulating sow intestinal SCFA-producing bacteria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress in Animal Reproduction and Nutrition)

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