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Veterinary Sciences
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Prevention and Control of Obstetric Diseases in Domestic Animals
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Prevention and Control of Obstetric Diseases in Domestic Animals

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 August 2026 | Viewed by 2513

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luying Cui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
Interests: endometritis; uterine infection; uterine health; animal reproduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue focuses on the critical challenge of preventing and controlling obstetric diseases in livestock (including cattle, swine, sheep, and goats), aiming to consolidate cutting-edge research and innovative practices. Recognizing the substantial economic losses and significant animal welfare concerns caused by conditions such as dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, endometritis, mastitis, pregnancy loss, and periparturient metabolic disorders, the issue seeks to advance strategies for early detection, effective management, and ultimately, enhanced prevention.

Its goal is to provide veterinarians, animal scientists, and producers with evidence-based tools and knowledge to proactively safeguard maternal and neonatal health, thereby improving reproductive efficiency, reducing morbidity and mortality, and promoting sustainable livestock production. The scope encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including novel insights into etiology and pathogenesis; development of rapid, accurate diagnostics (e.g., biomarkers, point-of-care tests); evaluation of preventive strategies (nutrition, management, vaccination, genetics, biosecurity) and therapeutic interventions (novel treatments, antimicrobial stewardship, alternatives); studies on epidemiology, risk factors, economic impact, and welfare assessments; and the application of technology and innovation (precision livestock farming, AI, genomics) for monitoring and intervention.

We warmly invite researchers, veterinarians, and specialists in related fields to contribute their original research, comprehensive reviews, insightful case studies, and methodological advances to this vital special issue. Your submissions are essential for advancing our understanding and improving obstetric disease control, ultimately contributing to healthier herds, more sustainable livestock industries, and enhanced food security.

Dr. Luying Cui
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

  • livestock
  • obstetrics
  • periparturient
  • reproductive efficiency

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1771 KB  
Article
Inhibition of NOX4-Mediated ROS Production Contributes to Selenomethionine’s Anti-Inflammatory Effect in LPS-Stimulated Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells
by Luying Cui, Wanting Li, Sasa He, Long Guo, Kangjun Liu, Junsheng Dong, Jianji Li and Heng Wang
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 789; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090789 - 22 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1612
Abstract
Bovine endometritis can be caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), from which the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, resulting in impaired reproductive performance. While NADPH oxidase (NOX) is a critical source of ROS generation, its [...] Read more.
Bovine endometritis can be caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), from which the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, resulting in impaired reproductive performance. While NADPH oxidase (NOX) is a critical source of ROS generation, its role in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEEC) and modulation by selenium remains unexplored. In this study, primary BEEC was challenged by LPS to assess NOX2/4 expression kinetics. Inhibitors of NOX and NF-κB were applied to observe the role of NOX-derived ROS in BEEC inflammation and in selenomethionine (SeMet)-modulated anti-inflammation. ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry. The changes in inflammatory cytokines, and the proteins related to NOX4 and NF-κB, were analyzed via qPCR and Western blot. As a result, the inhibition of NOX decreased LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression, ROS accumulation, NOX4 level, and the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65 and IκBα. Conversely, the suppression of NF-κB downregulated the levels of ROS and NOX4. Cotreatment with SeMet and a NOX inhibitor further suppressed the inflammatory response, ROS level, and NF-κB pathway activation compared to individual treatment, but had no additive effect on the NOX4 protein level. In conclusion, the NOX4/ROS/NF-κB axis forms a proinflammatory feedback loop in LPS-stimulated BEEC. SeMet mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation partially through NOX4 inhibition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Control of Obstetric Diseases in Domestic Animals)
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Review

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78 pages, 9031 KB  
Review
Toxoplasma gondii as a Direct Cause of Reproductive Dysfunction: Dual Threats to Male and Female Fertility
by Muhammad Farhab, Tariq Sohail, Mohammed Al-Rasheed, Zohaib Saeed and Aftab Shaukat
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050430 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan infecting approximately one-third of the global population, poses a significant yet underappreciated threat to reproductive health in both sexes. Although this parasite has long been linked to birth defects caused by infection during pregnancy, new research [...] Read more.
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan infecting approximately one-third of the global population, poses a significant yet underappreciated threat to reproductive health in both sexes. Although this parasite has long been linked to birth defects caused by infection during pregnancy, new research shows that it also reduces fertility in both sexes through different but related mechanisms. This review synthesizes knowledge on T. gondii-induced reproductive pathology across females and males, examining shared mechanistic themes while respecting tissue-specific differences, and evaluates emerging therapeutic strategies. In females, the parasite establishes persistent uterine reservoirs, triggers decidual immune dysregulation characterized by NK cell cytotoxicity, M1 macrophage polarization, Treg apoptosis, and inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, while disrupting estrogen and progesterone signaling through both host receptor modulation and intrinsic parasite steroidogenic enzymes (TgCYP450mt, TgMAPR, Tg-HSD). In males, T. gondii breaches the blood–testis barrier, induces germ cell and Leydig cell apoptosis via ER stress and caspase pathways, impairs sperm quality parameters across acute and chronic infection, and disrupts the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Conserved molecular mechanisms—including NLRP3 inflammasome activation, PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP-mediated ER stress, and oxidative stress—operate in both reproductive tissues. The parasite’s intrinsic steroidogenic capability and bidirectional hormonal manipulation represent a paradigm shift in understanding host–parasite interactions. Conventional antiparasitics face limitations due to poor reproductive sanctuary penetration. Immunomodulatory approaches targeting Trem2, Tim-3, and the NLRP3 inflammasome show promise, along with natural products including Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide and ginseng polysaccharide. Nanomedicine platforms and mRNA vaccine candidates offer new directions for overcoming tissue barrier limitations. Toxoplasma gondii represents a fundamental threat to fertility and pregnancy outcomes rather than merely a risk for congenital infection. Integrated therapeutic strategies addressing direct parasitism, immunopathology, and endocrine disruption are needed. Longitudinal cohort studies, strain-specific mechanistic comparisons, and clinical trials of immunomodulatory adjuncts are urgently required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevention and Control of Obstetric Diseases in Domestic Animals)
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