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Life
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Advances in Livestock Breeding, Nutrition and Metabolism
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Advances in Livestock Breeding, Nutrition and Metabolism

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 5327

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Imran Khan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute of Animal Sciences RDA (Rural Development Administration), Wanju-gun 55365, Jeonbuk-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: embryo culture; embryo cryopreservation; assisted reproductive technology; reproduction biology; ovary; cryopreservation; semen analysis; semen evaluation; in vitro embryo production; reproductive biology; cloning of pig embryos; SCNT and xenotransplantation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The most recent innovations in livestock breeding, nutrition, and metabolism represent the main topics of this Special Issue, which will highlight significant advancements that enhance animal productivity, health, and sustainability in agricultural systems. The production of animals with improved features, such as disease resistance, higher reproductive performance, and improved environmental adaptability, has been made possible in livestock breeding through genetic innovations such as genome editing and genetic selection. These developments are essential in improving animal production efficiency and tackling the issue of global food security.

Optimal feed formulations that enhance feed conversion, growth rates, and general animal health have been developed through studies in animal nutrition. Animal production is increased, and waste and environmental impacts are reduced, using strategies including precision feeding and the addition of nutritional additives (such as probiotics, enzymes, and amino acids) to guarantee that animals receive the correct balance of nutrients. Additionally, by encouraging improvements to their immune system and digestion, nutritional management is essential in improving animals’ wellbeing.

Learning more about livestock metabolism has helped us better understand how animals manage metabolic illnesses, assimilate nutrients, and control energy. In order to improve animal development, reproductive effectiveness, and metabolic problems and, ultimately, produce healthier and more productive livestock, this research is essential. These developments in metabolism, nutrition, and breeding work together to improve animal welfare, meet the rising demand for animal-based food items, and ensure the sustainability of livestock production systems around the world.

Dr. Imran Khan
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 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. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • genetic selection
  • livestock breeding
  • genome editing
  • animal nutrition
  • precision feeding
  • nutritional additives
  • feed conversion
  • metabolism
  • animal health
  • sustainability

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1058 KB  
Article
Impact of Drinking Water Supplemented with Complex Acidifiers on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Physiological and Biochemical Indicators, and Microbial Flora of BIAN Chickens
by Bochi Zhang, Liying Du, Tao Yu, Kai Zhang, Rui Zhao, Chunlei Yang and Xianyi Song
Life 2025, 15(11), 1700; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15111700 - 3 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1338
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with composite acidifying agents containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid (≥30.0%), lactic acid (≥24.2%), and phosphoric acid (≥23.8%) on production performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota in 300-day-old BIAN chickens. In a 42-day randomized [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with composite acidifying agents containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid (≥30.0%), lactic acid (≥24.2%), and phosphoric acid (≥23.8%) on production performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota in 300-day-old BIAN chickens. In a 42-day randomized trial, 900 laying hens were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group (basal diet with tap water), test group A (basal diet with 0.05% composite acidifier in drinking water), and test group B (basal diet with 0.20% composite acidifier in drinking water). The results demonstrated that test group B exhibited a significant 4.6% increase in average egg weight compared to the control (p = 0.029), while test group A showed enhanced Haugh unit values (p = 0.010) and eggshell strength (p = 0.010). Serum biochemical analysis revealed marked improvements in immune function, with test group B showing a 65.49% increase in globulin levels (p = 0.010) and 61.76% elevation in total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p = 0.010). Intestinal digestive enzyme activities were significantly enhanced, particularly in test group A with a 61.73% increase in duodenal lipase activity (p = 0.010) and 37.43% elevation in jejunal amylase activity (p = 0.036). Morphological assessment demonstrated improved intestinal architecture in test group B, with a 26.02% reduction in crypt depth (p = 0.025) and a 44.53% increase in the villus-to-crypt ratio (p = 0.030). Microbiota analysis revealed dose-dependent modulation of cecal bacterial communities, with notable increases in beneficial genera including Akkermansia (from 1.8% to 7.2% in test group A) and Lachnospiraceae (from 4.7% to 9.7% in test group B) while maintaining core microbiota stability. Principal component analysis confirmed distinct microbial ecological niches created by acidifier supplementation. These findings demonstrate that composite acidifying agents effectively enhance egg production quality, immune status, digestive function, and gut health in BIAN chickens, supporting their potential as sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in laying hen production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Livestock Breeding, Nutrition and Metabolism)
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12 pages, 271 KB  
Article
Allometric Coefficients for Body Measurements and Morphometric Indices in Young Huacaya Alpacas from the Peruvian Highlands
by Ali William Canaza-Cayo, Roxana Churata-Huacani, Francisco Halley Rodriguez-Huanca, Diana Carla Fernandes Oliveira, Carola Trinidad Melo-Rojas, Rilke Tadeu Fonseca de Freitas, Luis Roque-Almanza, Maria Celeste Huanca-Ilaquijo, Edwin Amadeus Dueñas-Chaiña, Miguel del Carmen Rodriguez-Huanca and Júlio Sílvio de Sousa Bueno Filho
Life 2025, 15(10), 1529; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101529 - 28 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1136
Abstract
(1) Background: Alpacas play a crucial role in the livelihood and cultural heritage of Andean communities, yet limited scientific information exists regarding their morphometric growth patterns under high-altitude conditions. Understanding how environmental and biological factors influence their body development is essential for optimizing [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Alpacas play a crucial role in the livelihood and cultural heritage of Andean communities, yet limited scientific information exists regarding their morphometric growth patterns under high-altitude conditions. Understanding how environmental and biological factors influence their body development is essential for optimizing management and genetic improvement programs. (2) Methods: This study aimed to characterize the morphometric profile and allometric growth patterns of young Huacaya alpacas, evaluating the influence of sex, birth month, and fiber color on 18 linear body measurements and 6 morphometric indices from 146 animals. (3) Results: General linear models revealed that birth month had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the compactness index, body side index, and body index while sex, fiber color, and their interaction did not significantly affect most indices. Allometric analysis showed that head traits exhibited low allometric coefficients (0.08–0.23), whereas torso-related measures such as dorsal length and abdominal perimeter showed higher coefficients (0.33 and 0.36, respectively). The compactness index showed marked sexual dimorphism in the allometric coefficient (0.83 in females, 0.95 in males). Thoracic perimeter exhibited a strong relationship with body weight and low variability, highlighting this measure as a key predictor of body size. (4) Morphometric and allometric analyses provide the first growth coefficients for young Huacaya alpacas at high altitude, offering a scientific basis for phenotypic selection of animals with superior meat potential and adaptability, thereby directly improving breeding efficiency and management in Andean production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Livestock Breeding, Nutrition and Metabolism)

Review

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31 pages, 3317 KB  
Review
Reactive Oxygen Species in Embryo Development: Sources, Impacts, and Implications for In Vitro Culture Systems
by Sajuna Sunuwar and Yun Seok Heo
Life 2026, 16(1), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010136 - 15 Jan 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1607
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential regulators of fertilization and early embryo development in mammals, including humans and various animal models, but they exert detrimental effects when produced in excess. In assisted reproductive technologies (ART), particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), exposure to non-physiological [...] Read more.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential regulators of fertilization and early embryo development in mammals, including humans and various animal models, but they exert detrimental effects when produced in excess. In assisted reproductive technologies (ART), particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF), exposure to non-physiological conditions increases oxidative stress (OS), impairing gamete quality, embryo viability, and clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes experimental and clinical studies describing the endogenous and exogenous sources of ROS relevant to embryo development in IVF. Endogenous ROS arise from intrinsic metabolic pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, NADPH oxidase, and xanthine oxidase. Exogenous sources include suboptimal laboratory conditions characterized by factors such as high oxygen tension, temperature shifts, pH instability, light exposure, media composition, osmolarity, and cryopreservation procedures. Elevated ROS disrupt oocyte fertilization, embryonic cleavage, compaction, blastocyst formation, and implantation by inducing DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. In addition, the review highlights how parental health factors establish the initial redox status of gametes, which influences subsequent embryo development in vitro. While antioxidant supplementation and optimized culture conditions can mitigate oxidative injury, the precise optimal redox environment remains a subject of ongoing research. This review emphasizes that future research should focus on defining specific redox thresholds and developing reliable, non-invasive indicators of embryo oxidative status to improve the success rates of ART. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Livestock Breeding, Nutrition and Metabolism)
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