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Veterinary Sciences
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Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction
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Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3277

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yongxun Jin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Interests: embryo engineering; developmental biology; stem cell biology
Prof. Dr. Shuang Liang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Interests: embryo engineering; developmental biology; gene editing
Prof. Dr. Chunjin Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Interests: animal reproductive regulation; development and application of new technologies for animal reproduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yeon Woo Jeong

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Companion Animal & Animal Resources Science, Joongbu University, Geumsan 32713, Republic of Korea
Interests: emybro

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, titled “Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction”, highlights recent advances and emerging trends in the field of animal reproductive science. As reproductive efficiency remains a cornerstone of livestock production, conservation biology, and veterinary medicine, innovative technologies and updated strategies are crucial for improving fertility, understanding reproductive physiology, and addressing reproductive disorders across species. This Special Issue features original research and review articles covering diverse topics, including assisted reproductive technologies (ART), gamete biology, cryopreservation, hormonal regulation, reproductive genetics, and fertility biomarkers. Contributions also explore novel insights into reproductive biotechnology, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and species-specific reproductive challenges. By presenting a comprehensive overview of current methodologies and forward-looking perspectives, this Special Issue aims to support researchers, veterinarians, and breeders in optimizing reproductive outcomes and promoting sustainable animal production and conservation.

Dr. Yongxun Jin
Prof. Dr. Shuang Liang
Prof. Dr. Chunjin Li
Dr. Yeon Woo Jeong
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 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. Veterinary Sciences 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 2100 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

  • animal reproduction
  • assisted reproductive technologies
  • fertility
  • gamete biology
  • embryo transfer
  • artificial insemination
  • reproductive physiology
  • reproductive biotechnology
  • cryopreservation
  • hormonal regulation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2824 KB  
Article
Design and Implementation of a Deep Learning System to Analyze Bovine Sperm Morphology
by Francisco Sevilla, Ignacio Araya-Zúñiga, Abel Méndez-Porras, Jorge Alfaro-Velasco, Efren Jiménez-Delgado, Miguel A. Silvestre, Rafael Molina-Montero, Eduardo R. S. Roldan and Anthony Valverde
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12101015 - 21 Oct 2025
Viewed by 429
Abstract
Sperm morphology analysis is critical for assessing bovine fertility, since it provides insight into bull reproductive potential as well as subfertility and infertility. Traditional sperm morphology analysis is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to human error, all of which highlight the need for automated, [...] Read more.
Sperm morphology analysis is critical for assessing bovine fertility, since it provides insight into bull reproductive potential as well as subfertility and infertility. Traditional sperm morphology analysis is time-consuming, subjective, and prone to human error, all of which highlight the need for automated, objective solutions. This study presents the design and implementation of a computer-aided system for bovine sperm morphology analysis, leveraging deep learning models to detect and classify sperm cells based on their morphological characteristics. Using micrographs of bull sperm, we present a sequential deep learning framework that automatically detects morphological sperm aberrations. The model segments and analyzes each cell, identifying defects in the head, neck/midpiece, tail, and residual cytoplasm. Specifically, the system employs the YOLOv7 object detection framework, trained on a dataset of 277 annotated images comprising six morphological categories, to automatically identify and classify sperm abnormalities. The experimental results demonstrate a global mAP@50 of 0.73, precision of 0.75, and recall of 0.71, indicating a balanced tradeoff between accuracy and efficiency. By reducing reliance on manual analysis, this work enhances efficiency and accuracy in animal reproduction laboratories, contributing to veterinary reproduction through a cost-effective and scalable solution for sperm quality assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction)
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12 pages, 10576 KB  
Article
Agarose Gel-Supported Culture of Cryopreserved Calf Testicular Tissues
by Daozhen Jiang, Wenqian Zhu, Rui Yang, Boyang Zhang, Yingshu Pan, Yifei Mao, Yueqi Wang, Yan Zhang, Bo Tang and Xueming Zhang
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12101005 - 17 Oct 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
Optimizing the cultivation system is crucial for tissue culture. The culture of cryopreserved testicular tissues is of great importance for the germplasm preservation of endangered animals and especially to ensure high-quality and high-output livestock. In this study, we compared two cultivation systems (Agarose-Supported [...] Read more.
Optimizing the cultivation system is crucial for tissue culture. The culture of cryopreserved testicular tissues is of great importance for the germplasm preservation of endangered animals and especially to ensure high-quality and high-output livestock. In this study, we compared two cultivation systems (Agarose-Supported system and Direct Adherent system) by evaluating their effects on tissue morphology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, gene expression, and endocrine function in cryopreserved testicular tissues from 30-day-old calves. The testicular tissues were cultured for 18 and 27 days with three biological replicates per group, aiming to identify which system better supports tissue preservation, cellular viability, and spermatogenic differentiation. This allowed us to clarify how different cultivation systems influence the structural maintenance and developmental potential of immature bovine testicular tissues. Histological and gene expression analyses revealed that the Agarose-Supported system better preserved the seminiferous cord architecture and supported the development of the seminiferous epithelium compared to the Direct Adherent system. The Agarose system significantly reduced the apoptosis and enhanced the expression of some key genes, including spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) markers (GFRα-1, UCHL1), meiotic marker (SYCP3), mature sperm marker (CRISP1), and testicular somatic cell markers (STAR, SOX9, ACTA2). The Agarose-Supported system also benefited spermatogenic differentiation and testosterone secretion. These findings demonstrate that the Agarose-Supported system facilitates the in vitro development of spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells in post-cryopreserved immature bovine testicular tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction)
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20 pages, 692 KB  
Article
Multivariate Single-Step GWAS Reveals Pleiotropic Genomic Regions and Candidate Genes Associated with Male Scrotal Circumference and Female Fertility Traits in Retinta Beef Cattle
by Chiraz Ziadi, Rosa María Morales, María Ángeles Vargas-Pérez, Gabriel Anaya Calvo-Rubio, Sebastián Demyda-Peyrás and Antonio Molina
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100977 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 488
Abstract
Fertility is key for calf production. Direct selection for female fertility under field conditions is hindered by low accuracy and selection response. An alternative widely implemented is selection for scrotal circumference (SC), genetically correlated with daughter fertility. This study performed a genome-wide association [...] Read more.
Fertility is key for calf production. Direct selection for female fertility under field conditions is hindered by low accuracy and selection response. An alternative widely implemented is selection for scrotal circumference (SC), genetically correlated with daughter fertility. This study performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions and candidate loci linked to SC and female fertility in Retinta cattle. A multivariate ssGBLUP was applied using SC records from 1061 bulls, fertility-related traits from 59,254 females and genotypes from 1230 animals using the Axiom™ Bovine Genotyping v3 Array (65k). The ssGWAS revealed 23 1-Mb windows explaining >1% of additive genetic variance for SC, one on chromosome 2 and 22 on chromosome 3. Within these windows, 198 regions spanning 118 protein-coding genes and 80 RNA genes were identified. Several genes, including GSTM3, SPATA1, HFM1, and MSH4, were previously associated with male fertility. Six regions overlapped across male and female traits, containing two protein-coding genes (THSD7B and ENSBTAG00000021755). Identification of genomic markers linked to both female fertility and male SC enables selection of superior animals, improving reproductive efficiency and advancing knowledge of the genomic basis of male–female fertility relationships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction)
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16 pages, 2432 KB  
Article
Effects of Supplementation with Chlorogenic Acid-Rich Extract from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver During Peri-Implantation on the Reproductive Performance and Gut Microbiota of Sows
by Yan Zhang, Hexuan Qu, Hongda Pan, Dao Xiang, Seongho Choi and Shuang Liang
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090857 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 666
Abstract
Chlorogenic acid (CGA)-rich extracts from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (CAE) are known for their gut health and antioxidant benefits in livestock. This study examines the effects of CAE supplementation during the peri-implantation period on sow reproductive performance and the gut microbiota. Sixty Dongliao black [...] Read more.
Chlorogenic acid (CGA)-rich extracts from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (CAE) are known for their gut health and antioxidant benefits in livestock. This study examines the effects of CAE supplementation during the peri-implantation period on sow reproductive performance and the gut microbiota. Sixty Dongliao black sows were randomized to receive either no supplementation (control) or CAE at 600 or 2000 mg/kg daily from gestation day −5 through day 15. High-dose CAE intake significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels in sow serum but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) also increase significantly. These changes correlate with improved reproductive performance, including a larger litter size, higher numbers of live-born piglets, a greater individual birth weight of live-born piglets, a higher total litter birth weight of live-born piglets, and a lower mortality rate. 16S rRNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota revealed that CAE markedly altered microbial diversity and composition, reducing the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria but increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, supplementation with CAE during the peri-implantation phase can reduce oxidative stress, alter the gut microbiota composition, and improve sow reproductive performance, thus potentially increasing breeding farm profitability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction)
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13 pages, 3720 KB  
Article
Efficacy of Two Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Gyr Dairy Cows and Their Relationship with Heat Stress in the Peruvian Tropics
by Ronald W. Vásquez-Tarrillo, José E. Hernández-Guevara, Benjamín A. Depaz-Hizo, Gustavo Ampuero-Trigoso, Annie Y. Poclín-Rojas, Marisol Rojas-Reategui, Gleni T. Segura Portocarrero, Jorge D. Juarez-Moreno and Hurley A. Quispe-Ccasa
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090804 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 911
Abstract
The performance of estrus synchronization protocols may be influenced by stressful environmental conditions, even in tropically adapted cattle. This study evaluated the efficacy of two synchronization protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in crossbred Gyr dairy cows and their relationship with heat stress [...] Read more.
The performance of estrus synchronization protocols may be influenced by stressful environmental conditions, even in tropically adapted cattle. This study evaluated the efficacy of two synchronization protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in crossbred Gyr dairy cows and their relationship with heat stress under Peruvian tropical conditions. Multiparous lactating cows under semi-intensive systems were synchronized and divided into two groups: the conventional protocol (PC9) and the prolonged proestrus protocol (J-Synch6). Estrus manifestation, pregnancy rate, and their association with the temperature–humidity index (THI) were analyzed across seven phases of the FTAI program (73 days). In PC9 cows, no significant effect of the number of hours in each heat stress category according to THI was found. Conversely, in J-Synch6 cows, more hours in Category 0 (THI < 72) during Phases 1 to 4 (follicular emergence to preovulatory follicle) had a positive effect on the estrus manifestation, whereas in Phase 3 (follicular growth), higher exposure to Category 3 (THI ≥ 83) had a negative effect on estrus manifestation. Both protocols demonstrated similar estrus and pregnancy rates, although heat stress affected estrus rates in J-Synch6, but not pregnancy. The choice of protocol should account for heat stress risks during specific periods of the year to maximize success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Method and Perspective in Animal Reproduction)
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