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Veterinary Sciences
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Advances in Animal Genetics and Sustainable Husbandry
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Advances in Animal Genetics and Sustainable Husbandry

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 March 2026) | Viewed by 2935

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Dejun Ji

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
Interests: genetic regulation; sustainable husbandry; immunology translation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “Advances in Animal Genetics and Sustainable Husbandry”, will explore the role of cutting-edge genetic research in environmentally responsible livestock production. It will showcase innovations in molecular genetics, genomic selection, and immunogenetics to enhance critical traits such as disease resistance, productivity (wool/meat/milk), and climate resilience. Simultaneously, this Special Issue will promote resource-efficient husbandry systems that minimize ecological footprints, bridging scientific discovery and scalable sustainability for global agriculture.

Contributions are invited across three interconnected themes:

  • Genetic mechanisms and breeding innovation, covering genomic insights into trait regulation (e.g., ubiquitin pathways in fiber growth and miRNA in disease response), genetic diversity conservation for locally adapted breeds (cattle, goats, deer), and marker-assisted selection for productivity, litter size, and disease resilience;
  • Sustainable production systems, including circular agriculture (e.g., agricultural waste valorization), low-impact technologies (welfare-focused housing/equipment), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) integration;
  • Translational tools, such as rapid diagnostics (immunochromatographic strips, molecular kits), immunomodulatory strategies, and omics-driven solutions (transcriptomics, proteomics) for precision farming.

We warmly invite researchers, veterinarians, and specialists in related fields to contribute their original research, comprehensive reviews, and methodological advances to this vital special issue. 

Dr. Dejun Ji
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. 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

  • genetic regulation mechanisms
  • precision livestock farming
  • sustainable resource utilization

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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, 981 KB  
Article
Comparative On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Sheep in Extensive, Semi-Extensive, and Semi-Intensive Systems
by Snežana Paskaš, Ivan Pihler, Marija Pajić, Elmin Tarić, Miloš Dimitrijević, Katarina Pajić and Zsolt Becskei
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040329 - 28 Mar 2026
Viewed by 664
Abstract
Sheep welfare outcomes vary depending on production systems, breeds, and environmental conditions. This study examined the effects of extensive, semi-extensive, and semi-intensive sheep production systems on animal welfare in Serbia, using the AWIN Welfare Protocol to evaluate 30 farms. Welfare indicators were categorised [...] Read more.
Sheep welfare outcomes vary depending on production systems, breeds, and environmental conditions. This study examined the effects of extensive, semi-extensive, and semi-intensive sheep production systems on animal welfare in Serbia, using the AWIN Welfare Protocol to evaluate 30 farms. Welfare indicators were categorised into resource-based, management-based, and animal-based metrics. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in space allowance among the production systems (p > 0.05). This suggests that the space provided was adequate for semi-intensive farms and suitable for both semi-extensive and extensive farms. However, management practices showed significant variations (p < 0.05), indicating diverse impacts on sheep welfare. No ocular discharge or stereotypic behaviours were observed, while respiratory issues, social withdrawal, and excessive itching were found to have a very low prevalence across all farms. The primary welfare concern identified in the extensive farms was the use of painful mutilations. Semi-extensive and semi-intensive farms had significantly higher rates of tail docking (p < 0.05) and poorer fleece cleanliness. These findings highlight the necessity of addressing the root causes of poor welfare to improve sheep welfare standards. Therefore, achieving sustainable welfare outcomes requires an integrated approach that combines genetic suitability, adequate housing, and effective management practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Genetics and Sustainable Husbandry)
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16 pages, 630 KB  
Article
Genetic Analysis of Stayability and its Relationships with Production, Conformation, Fertility and Health Traits in Holstein Cattle
by Honghong Hu, Zhaodi Xu, Liyun Han, Zhixuan Qiao, Yi Wang, Yikun Jia, Tong Mu and Yun Ma
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(11), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12111105 - 19 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 856
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for stayability in Chinese Holstein cattle and to estimate its genetic correlations with routinely collected traits. Although knowledge and genetic breeding technologies for dairy cattle have advanced, the lifespan of dairy cows has [...] Read more.
The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for stayability in Chinese Holstein cattle and to estimate its genetic correlations with routinely collected traits. Although knowledge and genetic breeding technologies for dairy cattle have advanced, the lifespan of dairy cows has been declining, mainly due to increased production stress and associated health problems. This makes the genetic improvement of Holstein cattle crucial for sustainable production. Stayability is an indicator trait reflecting longevity, measured as the survival probability of dairy cows at specific stages. To evaluate temporal differences in herd retention, we defined 7 stayability traits as the ability of cows to remain in the herd for 36 (S36), 42 (S42), 48 (S48), 54 (S54), 60 (S60), 72 (S72), and 84 (S84) months after first calving. Data from 56,630 cows between 2011 and 2020 across 14 dairy farms in Ningxia were considered for stayability analyses. Survival analysis using non-parametric methods showed that cattle with sterility had the longest survival time, while those with abomasal displacement had the shortest survival time. The heritability estimates (±standard error) for S36, S42, S48, S54, S60, S72 and S84 were 0.048 ± 0.006, 0.063 ± 0.006, 0.074 ± 0.007, 0.099 ± 0.007, 0.115 ± 0.007, 0.088 ± 0.007, 0.118 ± 0.008, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among stayability traits ranged from 0.382 to 0.975 and from 0.090 to 0.799, respectively. Furthermore, the approximate genetic correlations between stayability and routinely collected traits (8 production, 20 conformation, 13 fertility, 13 health traits) were assessed. Stayability showed low to moderate genetic correlations with most of these traits. In summary, developing a selection index that incorporates stayability is expected to improve the longevity of dairy cows. All unfavorable genetic relationships observed between stayability and other routinely collected traits should be accounted for in a selection index, thereby enhancing the lifespan of Holstein cattle while maintaining or improving productive performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Genetics and Sustainable Husbandry)
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Review

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21 pages, 1604 KB  
Review
Advances in Single-Cell Transcriptomics for Livestock Health
by Muhammad Zahoor Khan, Mohamed Tharwat, Abd Ullah, Fuad M. Alzahrani, Khalid J. Alzahrani, Khalaf F. Alsharif and Fahad A. Alshanbari
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020161 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1097
Abstract
RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a transformative technology for dissecting cellular heterogeneity and immune complexity in livestock species. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics to livestock health, with a particular focus on immune system organization and host–pathogen [...] Read more.
RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as a transformative technology for dissecting cellular heterogeneity and immune complexity in livestock species. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics to livestock health, with a particular focus on immune system organization and host–pathogen interactions in cattle, pigs, poultry, and small ruminants. We highlight the development of large-scale, multi-tissue cell atlases—such as the Cattle Cell Atlas and resources generated through the Farm Animal Genotype-Tissue Expression (FarmGTEx) consortium—that provide foundational reference frameworks for livestock genomics. These atlases have enabled the identification of tissue- and species-specific immune cell populations, clarified cellular tropism of major bacterial and viral pathogens, and revealed distinctive immunological features, including the prominent role of γδ T cells in ruminant immunity. We discuss how single-cell immune receptor sequencing has advanced monoclonal antibody discovery and informed rational vaccine design. Key technical and analytical challenges, including incomplete genome annotations, tissue processing constraints, and cross-platform data integration, are critically assessed. Finally, we outline future directions integrating spatial transcriptomics and multi-omics approaches to further resolve immune function within tissue contexts. Collectively, these advances position single-cell transcriptomics as a central framework for improving disease resistance, vaccine efficacy, and translational research in livestock health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Genetics and Sustainable Husbandry)
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