Topic Editors

Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Dr. Bárbara Loureiro
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM), College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

Advances in Animal Reproductive Physiology and Technologies

Abstract submission deadline
31 March 2027
Manuscript submission deadline
31 May 2027
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in the field of animal reproductive physiology and technologies have led to a new era of discovery and application, bridging fundamental biological insights with practical solutions for animal production, health, and conservation. The development of molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and imaging techniques has significantly advanced our understanding of the complex regulatory networks that govern reproductive processes. These processes range from neuroendocrine control of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis to cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gametogenesis, fertilization, and embryogenesis.

Concurrently, reproductive biotechnologies have evolved rapidly, offering powerful tools to improve reproductive efficiency, accelerate genetic gain, and preserve valuable or endangered genetic resources. Established assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), and cryopreservation, continue to be refined, while emerging approaches—including genome editing, stem cell technologies, and advanced embryo culture systems—are opening new frontiers in animal breeding and biomedical research.

Furthermore, the integration of precision livestock farming, sensor-based monitoring systems, and data-driven decision-making is transforming reproductive management by enabling real-time assessment of animal health, estrus detection, and fertility outcomes. These innovations are particularly important in addressing global challenges such as increasing demand for animal-derived products, climate change, and the need for sustainable and welfare-conscious production systems.

The present Topic aims to shed light on recent advances in the domain of animal physiology and reproductive technologies, encompassing both fundamental and applied research across a variety of species. The volume will also feature contributions that explore novel mechanisms, methodological innovations, and translational applications to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and advance the field toward more efficient, ethical, and sustainable practices.

Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Gardón Poggi
Dr. Bárbara Loureiro
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • reproductive physiology
  • biotechnology
  • genomics
  • assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs)
  • precision livestock farming

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Animals
animals
3.2 5.5 2011 15.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Biology
biology
4.3 7.3 2012 14.2 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Genes
genes
3.1 5.9 2010 13.3 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Ruminants
ruminants
2.0 2.9 2021 18.8 Days CHF 1200 Submit
Veterinary Sciences
vetsci
2.7 3.9 2014 16.3 Days CHF 2100 Submit

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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20 pages, 1385 KB  
Article
Predicting Pregnancy After Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination in Goats: Comparative Performance of Multivariable Logistic Regression and Random Forest Models
by Aníbal Rodríguez-Vargas, Josselin Rivas-Flores, José Ruiz-Chamorro, Gerardo Galván-Cavero, Gilmar Mendoza-Ordoñez, Narda Ortiz-Morera and Juancarlos Cruz-Luis
Animals 2026, 16(16), 2563; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16162563 - 17 Aug 2026
Abstract
Accurate prediction of pregnancy following fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) remains challenging under commercial goat production conditions. This study compared multivariable logistic regression and Random Forest models for pregnancy prediction and used SHAP analysis to characterize predictor contributions. Data from 920 goats subjected to [...] Read more.
Accurate prediction of pregnancy following fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) remains challenging under commercial goat production conditions. This study compared multivariable logistic regression and Random Forest models for pregnancy prediction and used SHAP analysis to characterize predictor contributions. Data from 920 goats subjected to FTAI across four regions of Peru were analyzed using reproductive, hormonal, animal-level, and management variables. Logistic regression was developed after univariable screening, whereas Random Forest models used 500 trees with mtry values of 2, 3, and 4. Models were compared using stratified 10-fold cross-validation with identical folds. The mtry = 4 configuration yielded the highest Random Forest AUC. Logistic regression identified semen type, buck and doe breed, insemination site, and cervical mucus score as independent predictors. Chilled semen was associated with higher pregnancy odds, whereas superficial cervical insemination was associated with lower odds. Logistic regression outperformed Random Forest in discrimination (AUC, 0.761 vs. 0.654), accuracy (0.679 vs. 0.644), and specificity (0.882 vs. 0.782), whereas Random Forest showed higher sensitivity (0.369 vs. 0.278). SHAP analysis identified eCG dose, cervical mucus score, semen type, and insemination site as the most influential predictors. Overall, logistic regression provided superior and more consistent predictive performance, whereas Random Forest offered complementary sensitivity and captured nonlinear predictor contributions. These findings support logistic regression as the more effective predictive approach for pregnancy following FTAI under the conditions studied, with explainable machine learning providing complementary insight into prediction patterns. Full article
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13 pages, 1308 KB  
Article
Chitosan and Chitosan Oligosaccharide Enhance Cryopreservation of Rabbit Testicular Tissue
by Yinlin Yao, Yuguo Wen, Zhen Zhu, Xiaotian Liu, Qinyao Shi, Tianhai Chen, Kai Kang and Jiang Wu
Biology 2026, 15(15), 1301; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15151301 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Testicular tissue cryopreservation is a key strategy for preserving fertility in adult males, yet optimal cryoprotective protocols have yet to be established. This study evaluated the effects of varying concentrations of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS, 0–25%) and chitosan (CS, 0–25%) on rabbit testicular tissues. [...] Read more.
Testicular tissue cryopreservation is a key strategy for preserving fertility in adult males, yet optimal cryoprotective protocols have yet to be established. This study evaluated the effects of varying concentrations of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS, 0–25%) and chitosan (CS, 0–25%) on rabbit testicular tissues. Right testes from 35 male New Zealand rabbits were assigned to COS groups and left testes to CS groups. Each group was further divided into seven subgroups: fresh control, 0% control, and 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% treatment groups. After one month of slow freezing, tissues were assessed by histomorphological scoring (cell swelling, cell loss, basement membrane integrity, and seminiferous tubule architecture) and seminiferous tubule diameter measurement. The 20% COS group achieved the highest histomorphological score, significantly exceeding the 0% control and comparable to the fresh control. Among CS treatments, the 15% group yielded the best score, also significantly higher than the 0% control. All frozen groups exhibited significantly reduced seminiferous tubule diameters compared with the fresh control, and these diameter changes did not correlate with the morphological scores. Concentrations exceeding the optimal level led to lose tubular structure and severe exfoliation of epithelial cells, suggesting that excessive osmotic stress may have contributed to the observed structural damage. COS demonstrated superior cryoprotection compared with CS under the present experimental conditions, which may be attributed to its lower molecular weight and improved diffusibility. These findings indicate that COS may represent a promising candidate for optimizing polysaccharide-based cryoprotectants in testicular tissue banking, although further functional validation is required. Full article
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17 pages, 1413 KB  
Article
Effects of Parity and the Administration of Caffeine Plus PGF2α on Hormonal and Behavioral Changes During Parturition in Gilts and Sows
by Adrián Alejandro Corrales-Hernández, Patricia Roldán-Santiago, Héctor Orozco-Gregorio, Luis A. de la Cruz-Cruz, Ofelia Limón-Morales, Juan Manuel Vázquez García and Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(8), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13080772 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 472
Abstract
Optimizing farrowing management is crucial in swine production, yet the combined effects of induction protocols and stimulants on the sow remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of farrowing induction using cloprostenol as a single dose (full dose) or split dose, with [...] Read more.
Optimizing farrowing management is crucial in swine production, yet the combined effects of induction protocols and stimulants on the sow remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of farrowing induction using cloprostenol as a single dose (full dose) or split dose, with or without caffeine administration, on the performance, behavior, and hormonal concentrations of primiparous (n = 25) and multiparous (n = 25) sows. Sows were assigned to five treatments: Control (n = 10), PGF2α Full Dose (175 μg) (n = 10), PGF2α Split Dose (87.5 + 87.5 μg) (n = 10), PGF2α Full Dose + Caffeine (420 mg) (n = 10), and PGF2α Split Dose + Caffeine (420 mg) (n = 10). The PGF2α Split Dose and PGF2α Split Dose + Caffeine treatments significantly reduced farrowing duration by up to 100 min in primiparous sows (122.40 ± 82.24 and 136.00 ± 38.33 min, respectively; p = 0.002), and in multiparous sows by up to 76 min (134.80 ± 73.84 and 158.00 ± 44.82 min, respectively; p < 0.05), compared to the Control and PGF2α Full Dose groups. Furthermore, the PGF2α Split Dose induction method lowered the frequency of stress-related behaviors (0.01 and 0.08 for PGF2α SD, and 0.03 and 0.08 for PGF2α SD + Caffeine, for gilts and sows respectively), with sows showing fewer posture changes and maintaining more stable resting positions, particularly the lying lateral posture (0.86 for PGF2α SD and 0.96 for PGF2α SD + Caffeine). Cortisol levels varied by parity, with multiparous sows showing higher prepartum and intrapartum levels, while primiparous sows peaked twelve hours postpartum; estradiol levels remained unaffected by treatments. In conclusion, inducing farrowing with a split-dose prostaglandin protocol is highly efficient, and the addition of caffeine further enhances farrowing performance while significantly improving behavioral welfare by reducing standing postures associated with discomfort in both primiparous and multiparous sows. Full article
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14 pages, 3377 KB  
Article
Integrative Proteomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Arginase-1-Mediated Nitrogen Metabolic Reprogramming Associated with Growth Advantage in Ronglai Binary Hybrid Pigs
by Wei Yang, Lan Wu, Hongyu Xie, Ding Zhang, Yuqin Wang, Jiajia Pan, Xinyi Xu, Xiaoqing Bai, Wei Zhang and Yueting Zheng
Animals 2026, 16(15), 2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152344 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 235
Abstract
Chinese native pig breeds have outstanding advantages in meat quality and adaptability but often exhibit slower growth and lower feed efficiency, limiting their commercial utilization. How to improve the growth efficiency of local pigs while maintaining their excellent characteristics through hybridization and mechanism [...] Read more.
Chinese native pig breeds have outstanding advantages in meat quality and adaptability but often exhibit slower growth and lower feed efficiency, limiting their commercial utilization. How to improve the growth efficiency of local pigs while maintaining their excellent characteristics through hybridization and mechanism analysis is the key to improving the quality and efficiency of the current industry. This study systematically evaluated the growth advantage of Ronglai binary hybrid pigs (RS, derived from Rongchang × Laiwu crosses) and integrated proteomic and metabolomic analyses to uncover the underlying metabolic mechanisms. Compared with purebred Rongchang pigs (RR), RS pigs showed a significantly higher average daily gain (553 vs. 454 g/d) from 85 days of age to the 90 kg body weight stage, representing a 21.8% improvement. Integrated multi-omics analysis revealed marked downregulation of arginase-1 (ARG1) protein in RS pigs, accompanied by decreased ornithine levels and elevated amounts of arginine-containing dipeptides. The elevated plasma NOx levels observed in RS pigs suggest that arginine accumulation may activate the NOS pathway. This reprogramming of nitrogen metabolism is associated with improved dietary nitrogen retention and utilization, thereby potentially directing more nutrients toward growth. While our findings provide a link between the growth advantage of this local pig cross and ARG1-mediated nitrogen metabolic remodeling, we acknowledge that to formally distinguish between heterosis and additive genetic effects, a control group of pure Laiwu pigs needs to be included. Full article
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16 pages, 5384 KB  
Article
Effect of Seminal Plasma from Good and Bad Freezer Stallions on Post-Thaw Acrosomal Integrity of SLC-Selected Spermatozoa
by Essraa M. Al-Essawe, Michaela Toni, Anders Johannisson and Jane M. Morrell
Animals 2026, 16(15), 2329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152329 - 30 Jul 2026
Viewed by 298
Abstract
Freezability of stallion spermatozoa varies considerably between individuals. The aim was to investigate whether adding seminal plasma (SP) from good freezer or bad freezer stallions improved post-thaw sperm acrosomal integrity. Semen samples were available where SP-free spermatozoa from good freezer and bad freezer [...] Read more.
Freezability of stallion spermatozoa varies considerably between individuals. The aim was to investigate whether adding seminal plasma (SP) from good freezer or bad freezer stallions improved post-thaw sperm acrosomal integrity. Semen samples were available where SP-free spermatozoa from good freezer and bad freezer stallions prepared by SingleLayer Centrifugation (S) were treated with pooled SP from the same stallions prior to freezing. Control samples were frozen conventionally (C). Post-thaw acrosomal integrity was assessed by flow cytometry with/without stimulation by calcium ionophore. Higher proportions of live acrosome-intact spermatozoa (p = 0.04) and lower proportions of dead acrosome-intact spermatozoa (p = 0.48) occurred in non-stimulated S samples than in C. Acrosome integrity was not affected by either type of SP. However, in ionophore-stimulated samples, SP from good freezer stallions produced higher proportions of live acrosome-intact spermatozoa than C (p = 0.047), whereas SP from bad freezer stallions resulted in higher proportions of live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa than C (p = 0.04); the proportion of dead acrosome-intact spermatozoa was higher in C than in S (p = 0.05). Thus, S had a lower propensity to acrosome-react under stimulating conditions than C; the effect of adding SP depends on its origin. Further research is required to optimise cryopreservation protocols for stallion semen. Full article
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13 pages, 439 KB  
Article
miR-31-5p Is Associated with Apoptotic and Mitochondrial Alterations in Fresh and Frozen Bull Spermatozoa
by Michal Ďuračka, Lucia Urbanová, Silvia Farkasová, Filip Benko, Sara Ataei-Nazari and Eva Tvrdá
Ruminants 2026, 6(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants6030060 - 20 Jul 2026
Viewed by 287
Abstract
This study investigated whether miR-31-5p abundance in fresh Holstein bull semen is associated with post-thaw sperm resilience. The initial cohort comprised 36 Holstein bulls, from which 16 ejaculates representing the highest- and lowest-ranking post-thaw freezers were selected for epigenetic and molecular analyses. Fresh [...] Read more.
This study investigated whether miR-31-5p abundance in fresh Holstein bull semen is associated with post-thaw sperm resilience. The initial cohort comprised 36 Holstein bulls, from which 16 ejaculates representing the highest- and lowest-ranking post-thaw freezers were selected for epigenetic and molecular analyses. Fresh semen was analyzed for miR-31-5p, while BAX and BCL2 were evaluated at transcript and protein levels before and after cryopreservation. Post-thaw sperm quality was assessed using total motility, viability, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential, Annexin-negative spermatozoa, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sperm DNA fragmentation. Cryopreservation significantly impaired sperm quality, increased ROS and DNA fragmentation, and shifted the molecular profile toward increased BAX and reduced BCL2. Ejaculates with superior post-thaw motility showed higher miR-31-5p levels, accompanied by better preservation of viability, mitochondrial function, non-apoptotic membrane status, lower ROS burden and DNA fragmentation after thawing. Fresh miR-31-5p was positively associated with post-thaw motility, viability, mitochondrial function, and Annexin-negative spermatozoa and negatively associated with post-thaw ROS. Our data support miR-31-5p as a potential candidate biomarker of sperm freezability in Holstein bulls. Full article
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18 pages, 3907 KB  
Article
Seminal Plasma Microbiome Composition and Its Association with Sperm Morphology in Breeding Boars
by Notsile H. Dlamini, Serge L. Kameni, Peixin Fan, Seongbin Park, Shengfa F. Liao and Jean M. Feugang
Biology 2026, 15(14), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15141126 - 10 Jul 2026
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Semen quality is a key determinant of reproductive performance in breeding boars, and emerging evidence suggests the seminal microbiome may influence sperm function. However, the composition of the seminal plasma microbiome and its relationship to sperm quality remain poorly characterized. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Semen quality is a key determinant of reproductive performance in breeding boars, and emerging evidence suggests the seminal microbiome may influence sperm function. However, the composition of the seminal plasma microbiome and its relationship to sperm quality remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the microbial composition of boar seminal plasma and its association with sperm quality. Semen ejaculates collected from Duroc boars were analyzed and classified as Passed (≥70% normal morphology) or Failed (<70% normal morphology). Seminal plasma was isolated by centrifugation and analyzed using 16S/ITS rRNA gene sequencing. The dominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The most abundant genera included Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Cladosporium. Only the Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in Failed samples for the bacterial microbiome (p = 0.038). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed a negative association between Tenericutes and sperm concentration (r = −0.90; p = 0.014). Linear discriminant analysis identified microbial biomarkers associated with sperm quality, including Rhodococcus, Sphingomonas, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Empedobacter. The increased abundance of these genera in Failed samples suggests disruption of the normal seminal microbial community. In conclusion, boar seminal plasma harbors a distinct bacterial and fungal microbiome that is associated with sperm morphology. Full article
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