Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.9
2.7
Journals
Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity
share announcement

Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 5077

Editor

Dr. Luca Marchetti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: nutrition; feed additives; gut health; weaning; livestock

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Optimal nutrition plays a pivotal role in sustaining animal health, growth, productivity, and welfare. In recent years, increasing concerns about antimicrobial resistance, emerging diseases, and the need for sustainable livestock production have underscored the importance of nutritional strategies that enhance immune competence and disease resilience.

Nutritional interventions—ranging from balanced macro- and micronutrient formulations to the supplementation of alternative feed ingredients and functional feed additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and phytochemicals—represent promising approaches to strengthen the host’s natural defense mechanisms and reduce reliance on antibiotics.

This Special Issue, titled “Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity”, aims to collect original research articles and comprehensive reviews exploring how diet composition, feeding strategies, functional ingredients, and feed additives influence immune function, gut integrity, oxidative status, and overall health across animal species, including both livestock and companion animals.

Studies elucidating the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying nutrition–immunity interactions, as well as innovative approaches for assessing immune responses are particularly encouraged.

By integrating fundamental and applied research, this Special Issue seeks to advance our understanding of the complex relationship between nutrition and immunity and to promote evidence-based nutritional strategies that contribute to improving animal health and welfare.

Dr. Luca Marchetti
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-anonymized 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

  • nutrition
  • immunity
  • gut health
  • functional ingredients
  • feed formulation
  • feed additives
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • immune regulation
  • microbiome
  • livestock
  • companion animals
  • pet food
  • pigs
  • poultry
  • cattle
  • calves
  • dairy cows
  • dogs

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 2975 KB  
Article
L-Arginine Attenuates Heat Stress-Induced Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis in Bovine Neutrophils via NFE2L2-Mediated ROS Scavenging
by Shang Jiang, Haihua Feng, Chao Wang, Xiliang Du, Lin Lei, Wenwen Gao, Guowen Liu, Xinwei Li and Yuxiang Song
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(7), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13070628 - 27 Jun 2026
Viewed by 227
Abstract
Heat stress severely impairs immune function and threatens dairy cow health and productivity. Although heat stress suppresses bovine neutrophil (PMN) phagocytosis, its effects governing PMN survival remain unclear. L-arginine (L-Arg) exerts immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects, yet its role in repairing [...] Read more.
Heat stress severely impairs immune function and threatens dairy cow health and productivity. Although heat stress suppresses bovine neutrophil (PMN) phagocytosis, its effects governing PMN survival remain unclear. L-arginine (L-Arg) exerts immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects, yet its role in repairing heat-damaged PMN has not been defined. In this study, an in vitro heat stress model (42 °C for 2.5 h) was established. Heat stress significantly reduced cell viability, induced abnormal nuclear morphology, and triggered apoptotic signaling, accompanied by severe oxidative stress (elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS)/Malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased SOD/glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)). The ROS scavenger N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) mitigated both oxidative stress and apoptosis, confirming oxidative stress as a core mediator of PMN apoptosis induced by heat stress. Pretreatment with 4 mmol/L L-Arg significantly alleviated heat-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis. Mechanistically, in bovine PMN, we first demonstrated that heat stress blocks nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2) nuclear translocation; inhibition of NFE2L2 (ML385) abolished L-Arg’s protection, verifying the NFE2L2-dependent ROS scavenging pathway. In conclusion, this study reveals that heat stress induces bovine PMN oxidative injury and apoptosis by suppressing NFE2L2-mediated ROS scavenging, and L-Arg restores PMN viability and immune resilience by reactivating the NFE2L2 antioxidant pathway. These findings provide a targeted L-Arg supplement strategy to improve PMN survival and disease resistance in heat-stressed dairy cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

28 pages, 9857 KB  
Article
Tamarindus indica Shells Powder Enhances Growth Performance, Hemato-Biochemical Parameters, Nutrient Utilization, and Gut Health in Broiler Chickens
by Thanyarat Somsu, Wandee Udomuksorn, Kasemsiri Chandarajoti, Sathianpong Phoopha, Jiraporn Khanansuk, Suthinee Sangkanu, Chatchai Wattanapiromsakul, Michael Wink and Sukanya Dej-adisai
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(6), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13060566 - 8 Jun 2026
Viewed by 253
Abstract
Broiler production has frequently faced economic losses due to infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. These problems are commonly resolved using antibiotics, but doing so could lead to antibiotic resistance and impair food safety. This study evaluated the effects of a tamarind ( [...] Read more.
Broiler production has frequently faced economic losses due to infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. These problems are commonly resolved using antibiotics, but doing so could lead to antibiotic resistance and impair food safety. This study evaluated the effects of a tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) shell powder (TSP) supplementation on the growth performance and overall health status in broiler chickens. A total of 375 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. Broilers received either a basal diet; antibiotic-supplemented diet; or diet supplemented with TSP at 1 × MIC, 16 × MIC, or 32 × MIC daily for 42 days. The results showed that treatment 4 (TSP 16 × MIC—64 mg per bird) had the best growth performance in broilers. Intestinal permeability measurements assessed using 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran (FITC–dextran) showed that broilers fed the treatment 5 (TSP 32 × MIC—128 mg per bird) diet had significantly lower FITC–dextran concentrations in all intestinal segments (p < 0.05) and were determined to have higher serum FITC–dextran than the control group. The hematological parameters can significantly reduce serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Finally, the application of tamarind shell powder promoted probiotic proliferation within the broilers’ gastrointestinal tract and mitigated Enterobacteriaceae infections, demonstrating comparable efficacy to the antibiotic-treated control group. This research suggests that tamarind shell powder supplementation, especially at a medium dosage (treatment 4), may beneficially influence gut morphology, modulate the gut microbiota, and enhance intestinal health in broiler chickens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 13201 KB  
Article
Integrated Proteomics and Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Potential Pathways Underlying Onion-Mediated Regulation of Spleen Immune Function in Liangshan Black Sheep
by Zengwen Huang, Jing Wang, Zhiqiu Huang, Gang Lv, Hehua Wang, Chaoyun Yang, Shengwang Jiang, Guiying Hao and Yi Zhang
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050486 - 17 May 2026
Viewed by 1201
Abstract
Feed additives play a crucial role in boosting livestock immunity, but their underlying molecular mechanisms are often incompletely understood. This study used integrated proteomics and metabolomics to systematically investigate the immunomodulatory effects of dietary fermented onion (FO) on the spleen of Liangshan Black [...] Read more.
Feed additives play a crucial role in boosting livestock immunity, but their underlying molecular mechanisms are often incompletely understood. This study used integrated proteomics and metabolomics to systematically investigate the immunomodulatory effects of dietary fermented onion (FO) on the spleen of Liangshan Black Sheep. Results showed that FO supplementation significantly improved systemic antioxidant capacity and immune function, indicated by a higher spleen index and increased serum concentrations of SOD, MCP-1, and IL-2 (p < 0.05). Multi-omics profiling of spleen tissues identified 169 differentially expressed proteins and 168 differential metabolites. Integrated pathway enrichment revealed calcium signaling and purine metabolism as potential core regulatory hubs for the observed immunomodulation. This molecular remodeling correlated with key molecules including protein F2R and metabolites adenosine and hypoxanthine, which may form a coordinated regulatory network. Overall, our findings suggest potential pathways linking dietary FO supplementation to enhanced splenic immune function in Liangshan Black Sheep, likely via synergistic regulation of specific signaling pathways. This work supports FO as a promising functional feed additive and provides a molecular framework for developing novel immunomodulatory strategies in livestock production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1434 KB  
Article
Comparative Hepatic Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Metabolic Regulatory Differences Between Qilian and Oula Sheep
by Yaxiong Ren, Qi-Tala An, Xiaohua Du, Xia Liu, Fanhong Gao, Yuan Li, Ying Xu, Liangwei Yao and Wenhao Li
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050477 - 15 May 2026
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Qilian sheep are an important indigenous Tibetan sheep breed adapted to cold and hypoxic environments. To explore hepatic nutrient metabolism in Qilian sheep, this study compared liver transcriptomic profiles between Qilian sheep and Oula sheep raised under similar natural grazing and management conditions. [...] Read more.
Qilian sheep are an important indigenous Tibetan sheep breed adapted to cold and hypoxic environments. To explore hepatic nutrient metabolism in Qilian sheep, this study compared liver transcriptomic profiles between Qilian sheep and Oula sheep raised under similar natural grazing and management conditions. Six 10-month-old ewes from each breed were selected, and three high-quality liver RNA samples from each group were used for transcriptome sequencing. A total of 1640 differentially expressed genes were identified using the thresholds of |log2FoldChange| > 1 and false discovery rate < 0.05, including 922 upregulated and 718 downregulated genes in Qilian sheep compared with Oula sheep. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly associated with lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the PPAR signaling pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis, and fatty acid β-oxidation. qRT-PCR validation confirmed the differential expression of 11 candidate genes, including RGN, LPGAT1, BHMT2, SDS, GK, PC, MIOX, HMGCS2, PNPLA3, ACAA2, and HADHA. These results suggest that Qilian sheep and Oula sheep differ in hepatic gene expression patterns related to lipid utilization, amino acid metabolism, and energy regulation, providing candidate genes and pathways for understanding breed-associated hepatic metabolic characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1677 KB  
Article
Effects of a Glycosylated Form of Active Vitamin D Combined with Natural Triterpenes on Sow Productive Performance, Mineral Homeostasis, Immune Biomarkers and Serum Proteome
by Luca Marchetti, Raffaella Rebucci, Carlotta Giromini, Elisa Margherita Maffioli, Gabriella Tedeschi and Valentino Bontempo
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030246 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 777
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of the dietary administration of a glycosylated form of active vitamin D (calcitriol, 1,25(OH)2D3) combined with ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) triterpenes on sow health and productivity. Twenty-four third-parity Landrace × Large [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effects of the dietary administration of a glycosylated form of active vitamin D (calcitriol, 1,25(OH)2D3) combined with ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) triterpenes on sow health and productivity. Twenty-four third-parity Landrace × Large White sows were allocated at day 108 of gestation into three groups: a control group receiving 1800 IU/kg of vitamin D3, and two treatment groups receiving the control diet supplemented with either 0.64 µg/kg (ACTD1) or 0.96 µg/kg (ACTD2) of glycosylated 1,25(OH)2D3 plus 140 or 210 µg/kg of UA + OA (4:1 ratio), respectively. Diets were administered from late gestation through the end of lactation. Farrowing duration, sow body weight, backfat thickness, and litter growth were recorded. Blood samples collected at key physiological stages were analyzed for pro-inflammatory cytokines, mineral homeostasis, endocrine markers, and serum proteome. Farrowing time was reduced in both treatment groups compared with the control (p < 0.05). Treated sows exhibited lower backfat thickness at the end of lactation and improved litter weights at farrowing, after cross-fostering, and at weaning (p < 0.05). Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, and IL-1β) were reduced at the end of lactation in ACTD1 and ACTD2 sows, with TNF-α and IL-1β already decreased after farrowing (p < 0.05). Treated sows also displayed decreased plasma parathormone concentrations at the end of lactation, along with increased circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 and calcium concentrations after farrowing and at lactation end (p < 0.05), while plasma phosphate levels remained unchanged. Proteomic analysis supported the systemic availability of the supplemented compounds and their involvement in metabolic and inflammatory pathways rather than calcium transport or vitamin D binding mechanisms. Overall, this nutritional strategy influenced the immune modulation while maintaining mineral homeostasis via modest endocrine adaptations. Larger-scale trials are warranted to confirm these results and to evaluate their practical applicability under commercial production conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3878 KB  
Article
Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Whole Lamb Omasum on Gut Health and Metabolism in Shiba Inu Dogs
by Aolong Jin, Shuyu Zhou, Shang Cheng, You Yang, Yawang Sun, Zhipeng Sun, Yongju Zhao and Xiaochuan Chen
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010058 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1041
Abstract
The growing pet economy boosts demand for fiber-enriched functional foods to improve canine gut motility and metabolic health. However, low-bioavailability commercial fibers often falter in high-energy diets. Whole lamb omasum—from grass-fed sheep omasum and gastric contents—repurposes a discarded byproduct for waste reduction and [...] Read more.
The growing pet economy boosts demand for fiber-enriched functional foods to improve canine gut motility and metabolic health. However, low-bioavailability commercial fibers often falter in high-energy diets. Whole lamb omasum—from grass-fed sheep omasum and gastric contents—repurposes a discarded byproduct for waste reduction and sustainable livestock production. This study evaluated the short-term effects of WLO supplementation on gut health and metabolism in healthy adult Shiba Inu dogs. Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to control or WLO groups in a randomized controlled trial. WLO supplementation significantly reduced fecal scores by 8.91% (p < 0.05), increased apparent crude fat and fiber digestibility by 3.70% and 11.55% (p < 0.05), and elevated serum IgA by 35.79–36.15% and T-AOC by 30.53–35.71% (p < 0.05). Serum metabolome revealed 13 between-group and 8 within-subject differences related to lipid and endocrine modulation. Fecal microbiota analysis indicated enrichment of the Bacillota phylum and Blautia genus (p < 0.05). These findings support WLO as a functional food that enhances gut and metabolic health in small-breed dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 9627 KB  
Review
Organic Acids in Rabbit Nutrition: Mechanisms, Advancements, and Potentials for Sustainable Production
by Tarek A. Ebeid, Mohamed Tharwat, Sohail Ahmad, Ahmed O. Abbas, Abdullah N. Alkhalaf and Fahad A. Alshanbari
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(7), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13070620 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 271
Abstract
Sustainable rabbit production requires effective nutritional strategies to enhance productivity, health status, and immune competence. Following the restriction of antibiotic growth promoters, organic acids (OAs) have gotten increasing attention as promising functional feed additives due to their multiple biological roles. This review aims [...] Read more.
Sustainable rabbit production requires effective nutritional strategies to enhance productivity, health status, and immune competence. Following the restriction of antibiotic growth promoters, organic acids (OAs) have gotten increasing attention as promising functional feed additives due to their multiple biological roles. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the functional roles of OAs in rabbit nutrition, with a focus on their effects on gut morphology, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbiota, antioxidative status, immunity, and growth performance in growing rabbits. The OAs may modulate gut microbiota balance through inhibition of pathogenic bacteria and promotion of beneficial microbial populations, thereby contributing to the establishment of a balanced intestinal ecosystem. This effect is particularly important during the post-weaning period, a critical stage characterized by increased susceptibility to enteric disorders and associated economic losses. The OAs may also enhance digestive enzyme activities, leading to improving nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency, and reducing feed wastage. In addition, OAs have been shown to improve intestinal histomorphology through coordinated effects on epithelial proliferation, mucosal renewal, and tight junction integrity. Furthermore, OAs have been shown to modulate antioxidative status and immune responses, which are essential for maintaining intestinal health and overall production sustainability. Collectively, OAs represent a promising and viable nutritional strategy to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of rabbit production systems through their beneficial effects on gut health, nutrient utilization, immune competence, and antioxidative status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Improve Animal Health and Immunity)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-7
Back to TopTop