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Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Genetic Diversity and Sustainable Breeding of Livestock and Companion Animals
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Genetic Diversity and Sustainable Breeding of Livestock and Companion Animals

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1086

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hao Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
Interests: pigs; genome-wide association studies; genomic prediction and selection; population structure and genetic diversity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Genetic diversity is fundamental to the long-term health of animal populations. Confronted by climate change, emerging diseases, and evolving market demands, animal populations need sustainable breeding strategies to enhance resilience, productivity, and welfare in both livestock and companion animals. This Special Issue, "Genetic Diversity and Sustainable Breeding of Livestock and Companion Animals," aims to compile cutting-edge research addressing these pressing challenges. We invite contributions that explore the application of genomic tools to characterize and conserve genetic resources, with a particular focus on local and endangered breeds. Manuscripts investigating innovative breeding programs that incorporate traits such as disease resistance, environmental adaptability, and animal well-being are highly welcome. Furthermore, we encourage studies examining the ethical considerations and socio-economic impacts of modern breeding technologies. By bridging advanced genomics with practical applications, this collection seeks to become a key resource for scientists, breeders, and policymakers committed to securing a sustainable and genetically robust future for the animals integral to our society.

Dr. Hao Sun
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 diversity
  • sustainable breeding
  • conservation genomics
  • animal genetic resources
  • livestock
  • local breeds
  • companion animals
  • breeding programs

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2543 KB  
Article
Rabbit Does as a Model for Studying Plasma Metabolomic Adaptations Across Reproductive Stages: Insights from Parturition to Weaning
by Jorge Mateo-López, Alejandro Huertas-Herrera, Mónica Toro-Manríquez, Diego Páez-Rosas, Mette Skoun Hedemann, Lola Llobat and Pablo Jesús Marín-García
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050497 (registering DOI) - 20 May 2026
Abstract
Metabolomics is increasingly applied in veterinary molecular biology to investigate physiological adaptations in animals. In this study, rabbit does were used as a model to explore plasma metabolomic changes associated with key reproductive stages, specifically parturition and weaning. Using an untargeted metabolomics approach, [...] Read more.
Metabolomics is increasingly applied in veterinary molecular biology to investigate physiological adaptations in animals. In this study, rabbit does were used as a model to explore plasma metabolomic changes associated with key reproductive stages, specifically parturition and weaning. Using an untargeted metabolomics approach, 48 plasma samples were analyzed to characterize metabolic differences between these physiological states: parturition (n = 24) and weaning (n = 24). The experiment was conducted between February and November 2019. Distinct metabolomic profiles were observed between stages, with variations detected in metabolites associated with lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, and cellular metabolic pathways. Distinct changes included higher plasma levels of Betaine and alpha-CEHC at parturition, while weaning was characterized by elevated levels of 4-Pyridoxic acid, Proline betaine, Allysine, modified phospholipids, and other nitrogenous and lipophilic metabolites, reflecting stage-specific metabolic adaptations. These results contribute to the understanding of metabolic regulation during reproduction and lactation in mammals and highlight the usefulness of the rabbit as an experimental model in veterinary molecular and physiological research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Sustainable Breeding of Livestock and Companion Animals)
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12 pages, 1596 KB  
Article
Gene Expression Profiling of Adipose Tissue in Enshi Black Pigs Subjected to Cold Stress
by Tong Zhang, Liang Wang, Shuo Yang, Guangdong Hu and Dongjie Zhang
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050442 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 280
Abstract
To investigate the response mechanism of cold-resistant Enshi black pig breeds under cold stress, nine Enshi black pigs were randomly divided into three groups with three pigs in each: a control group (18 ± 2 °C for 58 d), a cold-stress-acclimated group (3 [...] Read more.
To investigate the response mechanism of cold-resistant Enshi black pig breeds under cold stress, nine Enshi black pigs were randomly divided into three groups with three pigs in each: a control group (18 ± 2 °C for 58 d), a cold-stress-acclimated group (3 to 8 °C to −17 to −21 °C for 58 d), and an acute cold stress group (−17 to −21 °C for 3 d). RNA-seq technology was used to analyze mRNA and lncRNA expression patterns in subcutaneous adipose tissue under cold stress. The results showed that, under acute cold stress, many metabolic pathways were activated, including those involved in rapid energy supply (e.g., the citric acid cycle/TCA cycle, fatty acid degradation and metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis), signal transduction pathways (e.g., PI3K Akt, MAPK, PPAR, HIF-1, mTOR, and FoxO), and immune and cellular homeostasis pathways (chemokine signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, and apoptosis and autophagy regulation). Under cold stress acclimation, metabolic regulatory pathways (e.g., AMPK, mTOR, FoxO, HIF-1, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid degradation), immune and inflammatory regulatory pathways (Toll-like receptors, NOD like receptors, and T/B cell receptor signaling pathways), and signal transduction and cell homeostasis pathways (MAPK, PI3K Akt, NF-κB, Notch signaling pathways, apoptosis, and autophagy regulation) were continuously activated to ensure the stability of adipose tissue structure and function. Acute cold stress activated more pathways than cold stress acclimation, but both led to significant changes in energy metabolism. The results identified the molecular regulatory mechanisms of adipose tissue under cold stress, providing a basis for the subsequent breeding of new cold-resistant pig breeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Sustainable Breeding of Livestock and Companion Animals)
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22 pages, 1648 KB  
Article
Phenotypic Characterization of Carcass Traits, Organ Weights, Reproductive Organ Measurements and Tissue Chemical Composition in Three Sheep Breeds
by Ahmed A. Saleh and Nasir A. Ibrahim
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040379 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 447
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize carcass traits, organ weights, reproductive organ measurements, meat chemical composition, and gastrointestinal tract characteristics in Barki (BAR), Rahmani (RAH), and their crossbred BAR × RAH sheep. A total of 30 adult sheep, consisting of 10 animals from each [...] Read more.
This study aimed to characterize carcass traits, organ weights, reproductive organ measurements, meat chemical composition, and gastrointestinal tract characteristics in Barki (BAR), Rahmani (RAH), and their crossbred BAR × RAH sheep. A total of 30 adult sheep, consisting of 10 animals from each breed group, (5 males and 5 females per group), aged approximately 36.5 ± 0.75 months, were randomly selected from the flock raised under uniform management systems in northern Egypt. The animals were subjected to comprehensive phenotypic evaluation following slaughter. The crossbred BAR × RAH animals were found to be superior for all weight-related traits since they had the highest mean values for cold carcass weight (30.12 ± 2.43 kg), final live body weight (59.46 ± 1.28 kg), slaughter weight (58.27 ± 2.19 kg), as well as trimmed meat weight (23.70 ± 1.35 kg), all of which were significantly higher than those of both purebred breeds (p < 0.001). BAR breed had the lowest values in the weight-related traits but the most favorable ratio of lean-to-fat tissue (4.12 ± 0.92) and the highest content of ash in the meat (1.00 ± 0.05%). Pronounced breed differences were observed in the measurements of the reproductive organs. Chemical analysis of the meat revealed that the meat of the crossbred animals contained the highest amount of moisture (74.66 ± 1.99%) and crude protein (21.65 ± 0.57%). The results of the GI tract revealed that the crossbred animals had the longest intestines (41.17 ± 2.18 m). The pH of the animals also showed breed-specific characteristics. Crossbreeding BAR and RAH improved growth, carcass and reproductive traits, supporting its use in breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Sustainable Breeding of Livestock and Companion Animals)
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