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Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Swine Management: Reproduction and Breeding
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Swine Management: Reproduction and Breeding

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 24 May 2026 | Viewed by 658

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ricardo Zanella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Escola de Ciẽncias Agrárias, Inovação e Negócios, Curso de Medicina Veterinária, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil
Interests: animal reproduction biotechnology; genome sequencing; GWAS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The upcoming Special Issue of our journal invites original research, reviews, and innovative approaches focused on swine management with a spotlight on reproduction and breeding. As global demand for pork production rises, optimizing reproductive efficiency and genetic improvement in swine has never been more crucial. This Special Issue seeks to bring together cutting-edge insights into reproductive physiology, breeding strategies, assisted reproductive technologies, genetic selection, and management practices that enhance productivity and animal welfare.

We welcome contributions from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including animal genetics, veterinary sciences, reproductive biotechnology, and sustainable livestock systems. As scientists, whether you are working with AI, embryo transfer, genomic selection, or practical on-farm management, your research can help shape the future of swine production.

Join us in advancing science and innovation in swine reproduction and breeding. Submit your work and be part of this essential conversation!

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Reproductive physiology and endocrinology;
  • Artificial insemination and semen preservation;
  • Sow fertility and litter performance;
  • Boar management and reproductive traits;
  • Embryo technologies and in vitro fertilization;
  • Genomic tools for breeding selection;
  • Environmental and nutritional influences on reproduction;
  • Innovations in swine herd reproductive management.

Dr. Ricardo Zanella
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

  • swine
  • reproduction
  • endocrinology
  • artificial insemination
  • semen preservation
  • embryo technologies
  • in vitro fertilization

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1523 KB  
Article
Factors Influencing Reproductive Performance in Austrian Sow Farms Challenged by Reproductive Disorders
by Gertrude Baumgartner, Alexander Grahofer, Andrea Buzanich-Ladinig and Christine Unterweger
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010003 - 19 Dec 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Many piglet-producing farms are facing poor reproductive performance, yet their characteristics remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to reproductive disorders based on information easily identifiable through an oral survey. Therefore, forty Austrian piglet producing farms (35–2000 sows) were surveyed [...] Read more.
Many piglet-producing farms are facing poor reproductive performance, yet their characteristics remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to reproductive disorders based on information easily identifiable through an oral survey. Therefore, forty Austrian piglet producing farms (35–2000 sows) were surveyed using a questionnaire mainly addressing management, treatment and prophylaxis. Five key performance indicators (KPIs) were defined to assess farm productivity: farrowing rate, return-to-estrus rate, abortion rate, total piglets born per litter, and piglets weaned per litter. Farrowing rates were significantly higher in larger farms (r = 0.368; p = 0.019), PRRS-negative farms (r = 0.415; p = 0.008), and farms that did not clean the vulva before artificial insemination (r = 0.357; p = 0.024). Return-to-estrus rates were significantly higher in smaller farms (r = −0.431; p = 0.006), farms with more vaginal discharge after farrowing (r = 0.397; p = 0.011), those not using hormonal farrowing induction (r = 0.339; p = 0.033), and farms with older teaser boars (r = 0.385; p = 0.039). Larger farms had more piglets born per litter (r = 0.342; p = 0.031) and weaned more piglets (r = 0.391; p = 0.013). Weaned piglet numbers were also higher in farms with all-in/all-out implementation in farrowing pens (r = 0.353; p = 0.026), with restricted access of other animal species to the barn (r = 0.366; p = 0.028) and hormonal farrowing induction (r = 0.348; p = 0.028). Common well-established strategies for improving fertility performance like evaluation of body temperature after farrowing, antimicrobial, and hormonal treatments showed limited relevance. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify additional factors influencing reproductive performance of sows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Swine Management: Reproduction and Breeding)
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10 pages, 223 KB  
Article
Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal with Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larva Meal Maintains Stable Reproductive Performance and Health Status of Sows and Their Offsprings
by Vetriselvi Sampath, Kyejin Lee and In Ho Kim
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010002 - 19 Dec 2025
Viewed by 134
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of the reproductive performance, milk composition, and blood profile of sows, as well as the performance of their offspring when their dietary soybean meal is partially replaced by black soldier fly Hermetia illucens [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of the reproductive performance, milk composition, and blood profile of sows, as well as the performance of their offspring when their dietary soybean meal is partially replaced by black soldier fly Hermetia illucens larva meal (BSFLM). A total of 18 multiparous (Landrace × Yorkshire) Duroc mated sows were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments based on parity from gestation to lactation on day 21. Each treatment has six replications. The dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet based on corn-soybean meal; BSFLM1, basal diet soybean meal partially replaced with BSFLM (0.5% of diet); BSFLM2, basal diet soybean meal partially replaced with BSFLM (1.0% of diet). Our results revealed that sows fed with 0.5% of BSFLM had significantly increased (p < 0.05) BW at the initial and weaning period. Also, the BSFLM2 group sows showed significantly increased (p < 0.05) backfat thickness at weaning. Compared to CON, piglets born from the BSFLM group sows showed a tendency (p > 0.1) of having increased BW (at initial and at weaning) and ADG. Furthermore, sows fed with 0.5% BSFLM showed a tendency (p > 0.1) of having increased protein and fat % in milk at week 1. The serum concentration of IGF-1 was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the BSFLM1 group sows compared to the BSFLM 2 group sows initially and it was equalized at weaning. In summary, partial replacement of soybean meals with 0.5% and 1% BSFLM could be beneficial for improving the reproductive traits, milk composition, and health status of sows and their offsprings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Swine Management: Reproduction and Breeding)
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