Advances in Veterinary Obstetrics: Focus on Reproductive Physiology and Pathology

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 1017

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: reproductive biology; oocyte meiosis; preimplantation embryo development; reproductive toxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The globalization of animal production for meat, milk, and eggs has introduced new requirements in terms of production efficiency and cost control, and innovative breeding techniques based on reproductive physiology research and the control of reproductive diseases caused by pathogenic infections or functional disorders are the key approaches to overcome these challenges. In addition, with global climate change and biodiversity loss, ecosystems are facing unprecedented pressures; therefore, greater efforts are urgently needed with regard to the reproduction of wild animals, especially those that are in danger of extinction. In this Special Issue, we are aiming to include the latest research findings on reproductive physiology and pathology for both food animals and wild animals.

Areas of interest in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

Oogenesis and follicular development;

Spermatogenesis;

Embryo development and implantation;

Reproductive hormones;

Reproductive biotechnologies;

Reproductive immunology;

Obstetric diseases.

This Special Issue has been created based on the observation of research advances in this area and real-world requirements gleaned from reproduction practice. The latest scientific findings and helpful strategies or biotechnologies will be published on the basis of a careful selection of research or review articles from experts in this field. We hope that this Special Issue will provide new knowledge and innovative ideas to promote animal reproduction and help to built close connections between basic research and field applications.

Dr. Junwei Li
Dr. Dong Zhou
Prof. Dr. Shiqiang Ju
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • gametogenesis
  • embryo developent and implantation
  • reproductive biotechnologies
  • reproductive immunology
  • obstetric diseases

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 2570 KB  
Article
Low-Dosage Rumen Unprotected Creatine Precursor During the Transition Period in Single-Bearing Ewes Impacts Dynamic Changes in Muscle and Adipose Mass, Uterine Involution, and Fetal Programming Outcomes
by Larissa Fernandes Baia Cesar, Alfredo José Herrera Conde, Camila Muniz Cavalcanti, Bruna Vitória de Freitas Alves, Marta da Costa Sousa, Jhennyfe Nobre de Sena, Yohana Huicho Miguel, Fernando Felipe da Silva Pereira, Louhanna Pinheiro Rodrigues Teixeira, Juliana Paula Martins Alves, César Carneiro Linhares Fernandes, Aníbal Coutinho do Rêgo, Dárcio Ítalo Alves Teixeira and Davide Rondina
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010097 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 586
Abstract
Little is known about the reproductive impacts of the GAA, creatine precursor, in ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GAA supply during the transition period in ewes with single pregnancies on their uterine involution. Sixteen ewes with single pregnancy were [...] Read more.
Little is known about the reproductive impacts of the GAA, creatine precursor, in ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GAA supply during the transition period in ewes with single pregnancies on their uterine involution. Sixteen ewes with single pregnancy were allocated to two groups: one receiving a basal diet (WGAA, n = 8) and another receiving a basal diet supplemented daily with 0.6 g/kg DM diet of GAA (RUGAA, n = 8) from 100 days of gestation to 35 days postpartum (PP). The RUGAA group showed increased feed intake after delivery and modified diet selectivity. Also, at parturition, a smaller cotyledonary surface area and lower offspring weight at birth were observed. During PP, RUGAA exhibit a slight reduction in the loin depth and backfat thickness, and higher peripheral glutathione peroxidase level. Also in PP, RUGAA expressed a greater rate of uterine lumen shrinkage, more efficient mammary parenchyma growth and a higher relative lambs growth rate. We concluded that supplementation with 0.6 g of GAA in ewes with single pregnancies improved postpartum uterine involution, but also altered the mother-fetus communication system, affecting the birth weight of the offspring. Therefore, we believe further studies are necessary to efficiently align creatine demand with the distinct physiological events that occur during gestation and the postpartum period. Full article
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