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Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in...
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Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2511

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Zilong Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
Interests: veterinary environmental toxicology; veterinary nutrition; veterinary internal medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue "Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine" focuses on the intricate and multidimensional relationship between nutritional metabolism, toxicology, and the pathogenesis of various systemic diseases in animals. Nutritional imbalances, whether arising from nutrient deficiencies or over-supplementation, and exposure to dietary or environmental toxins both can disrupt homeostatic metabolic pathways, leading to profound physiological and pathological consequences. These include but are not limited to hepatic and renal dysfunction, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, reproductive failures, neurological syndromes, and endocrine abnormalities.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate current knowledge on nutrient metabolism and veterinary toxicology, exploring how impaired metabolic functions contribute to disease onset and progression across companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. The course places particular emphasis on molecular and cellular mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic and preventive strategies aimed at mitigating disease risk and improving clinical outcomes. Please note that only review-type articles will be considered. Submissions should provide a critical synthesis of current research, identify gaps in knowledge, and discuss clinical and translational implications for veterinary practice.

Prof. Dr. Zilong 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

  • nutritional metabolism
  • animal toxicology
  • metabolic dysregulation
  • different systemic diseases
  • environmental toxins
  • environmental stress
  • molecular and cellular mechanisms
  • diagnosis and prevention

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Review

16 pages, 750 KB  
Review
Plant Extracts Target Biofilms to Alleviate Nutritional and Metabolic Disorders in Animals
by Yang Wang, Shenao Song, Shuji Gao, Xiaoling Zhang, Yuxin Wang and Baobao Liu
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040337 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 299
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms represent a major driver of persistent infections in animals, productivity losses, and increased antibiotic use. The chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation induced by biofilms constitute major predisposing factors for nutritional and metabolic disorders in veterinary settings. Conventional antibiotic therapy is often [...] Read more.
Bacterial biofilms represent a major driver of persistent infections in animals, productivity losses, and increased antibiotic use. The chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation induced by biofilms constitute major predisposing factors for nutritional and metabolic disorders in veterinary settings. Conventional antibiotic therapy is often limited by reduced efficacy and the emergence of resistance in biofilm eradication. Moreover, drug residues and associated metabolic toxicity pose additional risks to animal health and food safety. Plant extracts, characterized by multi-target modes of action, favourable biocompatibility, and metabolic regulatory potential, represent a sustainable strategy for addressing this challenge. This narrative review systematically examines the mechanisms by which plant-derived compounds modulate the formation and dispersal of pathogenic biofilms via direct and indirect pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine)
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24 pages, 542 KB  
Review
Mechanism of Action of Plant Extracts in Preventing Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets: A Review
by Xiaohan Jiang, Haibo Xiao and Peng Huang
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040312 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 340
Abstract
Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets is a common multifactorial disease in global swine production. Traditional prevention and control strategies relying on high-dose zinc oxide and antibiotics face limitations due to antimicrobial resistance and environmental concerns. This review systematically elucidates the mechanisms of action [...] Read more.
Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets is a common multifactorial disease in global swine production. Traditional prevention and control strategies relying on high-dose zinc oxide and antibiotics face limitations due to antimicrobial resistance and environmental concerns. This review systematically elucidates the mechanisms of action of plant extracts as alternative interventions against PWD, focusing primarily on categories such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, essential oils, and alkaloids. This review discusses how plant extracts exert their effects through various mechanisms, including improving feed intake, enhancing antioxidant and immune capacities, modulating gut microbiota, repairing intestinal barrier function, and inhibiting pathogens—to alleviate diarrhea induced by weaning stress and pathogenic infections. The findings indicate that plant extracts offer advantages such as multi-target effects, natural origin, and a low propensity for inducing resistance, highlighting their promising potential as alternatives to conventional additives. However, challenges related to compositional complexity, stability, and bioavailability require further investigation and optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine)
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28 pages, 348 KB  
Review
The Role of Five Key Minerals (Cu, Se, Zn, Co, Fe) in Reproductive Function of Female Cattle: Current Insights and Future Directions
by Beiyao Wang, Xinlin Li, Zimo Zhou, Yanqiu Zhu, Zhicai Zuo and Hongrui Guo
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020208 - 23 Feb 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 711
Abstract
Reproductive efficiency in female cattle is significantly influenced by micronutrient status, particularly the availability and balance of essential trace minerals. Selenium, copper, zinc, cobalt, and iron serve as critical components of enzymatic systems, antioxidant defense networks, hormone synthesis, and cellular metabolism, collectively sustaining [...] Read more.
Reproductive efficiency in female cattle is significantly influenced by micronutrient status, particularly the availability and balance of essential trace minerals. Selenium, copper, zinc, cobalt, and iron serve as critical components of enzymatic systems, antioxidant defense networks, hormone synthesis, and cellular metabolism, collectively sustaining reproductive health. This review integrates current research evidence on the physiological functions and molecular mechanisms through which these five trace minerals regulate reproductive performance in female cattle, with a specific focus on iron—an often overlooked element—highlighting the novelty of this synthesis. Both deficiency and excess of these minerals impair key reproductive outcomes such as estrous cyclicity, conception rate, and embryonic survival. Furthermore, complex interactions among minerals influence their bioavailability and physiological responses. Advances in mineral supplementation strategies, particularly the application of organic minerals and precision feeding technologies, offer promising solutions to improve reproductive performance. Elucidating these interrelationships provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing trace mineral nutrition, thereby enhancing female cattle fertility, reducing metabolic disorders and promoting the sustainable development of beef and dairy industries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine)
33 pages, 3414 KB  
Review
The Environmental Pathways and Veterinary Health Implications of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Emerging Contaminants from a One Health Perspective
by Muhammad Farhan Rahim, Saisai Gong, Kewei Li, Chuxian Quan, Farah Ijaz, Yan Li, Quan Mo and Jiakui Li
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020202 - 20 Feb 2026
Viewed by 570
Abstract
Background: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are now common in land and water ecosystems. Their spread is an increasing issue from a One Health perspective. These particles end up in soils, water, air, and farm inputs. This poses direct risks to animal health [...] Read more.
Background: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are now common in land and water ecosystems. Their spread is an increasing issue from a One Health perspective. These particles end up in soils, water, air, and farm inputs. This poses direct risks to animal health and indirect risks to people who eat animal-derived food. There are also risks from plastic additives and pesticides migrating with these particles in animal-based food. Scope and Approach: This review summarizes how MPs and NPs move in agroecosystems and livestock production. It covers their main sources, such as agricultural plastics, sludge-amended soils, plastic-lined storage, and environmental fallout. It explains how farm animals are exposed, including through feed, water, soil contact, and inhalation. Evidence is condensed for occurrence in manure, tissues, and animal products. The review also highlights key analysis challenges, especially those limiting the assessment of nanoplastic exposure. Key Findings: Field surveys show very different contamination levels in the environment. Agricultural soils range from 0.36 to 42,960 particles/kg. Livestock indicators, like contaminated feed and manure, range from 102 to 105 particles/kg. In free-roaming systems, chicken feces have very high loads, showing trophic transfer in land food chains. A pilot study found plastic particles in pig and cow blood, suggesting some particles cross the gut into the blood. Experimental models link MPs/NPs to oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic disturbance, and potential reproductive toxicity in livestock and poultry. Conclusions and outlook: Animal-based foods provide a major source of human exposure. MPs and NPs have been observed in milk and poultry products, such as packaged meat and eggs (mean 11.67 ± 3.98 particles/egg). There is still a research gap on raw milk taken directly from the teat and on raw eggs that have not been handled or packaged. This gap makes it hard to identify real contamination sources and control strategies. The review stresses the need for harmonized detection methods (especially for NPs), monitoring from farm to fork, and practical ways to reduce plastic use on farms and minimize contamination during processing, feed handling, and packaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Paper Special Issue: Nutritional Metabolism and Toxic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine)
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