Animal Reproduction Science最新文献

{"title":"Differential impact of the kinase inhibitors ruxolitinib and ceritinib on porcine sperm in vitro","authors":"Mohammad Bashawat ,&nbsp;Martin Schulze ,&nbsp;Peter Müller ,&nbsp;Karin Müller","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small-molecule protein kinase inhibitors are applied for the medical treatment of several diseases (Roskoski Jr, 2016). Given the increasing use of these molecules, particularly in cancer therapy, their influence on sperm is of great importance for a better understanding of the presumed effects on the reproductive potential and fertility of male patients. Therefore, we investigated the influence of the small-molecule kinase inhibitors ruxolitinib and ceritinib on porcine sperm <em>in vitro</em>. Porcine sperm were employed as a substitute for mammalian, especially human sperm, as they are available in large quantities in reproducible quality. Under all conditions, ceritinib at a molar drug/lipid ratio of 1:10 had adverse effects on sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity, while ruxolitinib at highest concentrations showed no or only weak effects on motility parameters. The massive merocyanine 540 binding in all dead and most viable ceritinib treated cells already after a short-term incubation at 38°C qualifies the disturbance of membrane lipid order as the most likely cause for the observed decrease in motility and viability. Therefore, possible damage to human sperm must be considered when administering ceritinib. The attempt to investigate a kinase-mediated influence of the inhibitors on capacitation and acrosome reaction failed because even the low concentration of the solvent DMSO interfered with this function. To test effects of small-molecule kinase inhibitor on selected properties of living cells, porcine sperm has proven to be a useful <em>in vitro</em> model.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 107850"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143896108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacologically assisted semen collection and sperm morphology assessment methods in wild six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus)","authors":"Ana Carolina M. Lobo ,&nbsp;João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira ,&nbsp;Danilo Kluyber ,&nbsp;Mayara Grego Caiaffa ,&nbsp;Arnaud L.J. Desbiez ,&nbsp;Beatriz Lippe De Camilo ,&nbsp;Luan Sitó Da Silva ,&nbsp;Gabriel C. De Camargo ,&nbsp;Ramanathan Kasimanickam ,&nbsp;Eunice Oba","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Six-banded armadillos (<em>Euphractus sexcinctus</em>), a non-endangered species, serve as a valuable experimental model for developing assisted reproductive technologies aimed at conserving endangered species within the order Cingulata. However, limited knowledge of their reproductive biology presents a critical challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacological semen collection protocol and compare Karras-modified staining using brightfield microscopy (KA), phase contrast microscopy (PC), and differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC) for assessing sperm morphology. Twenty free-ranging male six-banded armadillos were captured and subjected to the following pharmacological sedation protocol: butorphanol tartrate, detomidine hydrochloride and midazolam hydrochloride (i.m., 0.1 mg/kg each). Ten minutes after administration, semen was extracted by applying gentle pressure along the penis, from its base to the tip. The expelled semen, which accumulated into the urethral fossa, was collected using a variable-volume micropipette and assessed for macro and microscopic characteristics. Ninety-five percent of the males exhibited a partial ejaculation, with no aversive behavior or signs of discomfort observed. Most semen samples (83 %) contained more than 30 % of morphologically abnormal sperm with considerable individual variability in sperm defect profiles. While all microscopy techniques allowed effective assessment of sperm morphology, KA was the most efficient in identifying acrosome integrity and head abnormalities. This method offers a practical and cost-effective solution, particularly suited for field conditions. This study reports the first successful pharmacological protocol for semen collection in six-banded armadillos, highlighting its potential use for reproductive assessments and contributing to developing conservation strategies for related species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 107851"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143891080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of 16h of rabbit sperm incubation on capacitation and heterologous in vitro fertilization","authors":"Sara Ruiz-Díaz ,&nbsp;María Maroto ,&nbsp;Raúl Fernández-Gonzalez ,&nbsp;Celia de Frutos ,&nbsp;Marta Lombó ,&nbsp;María Arias-Álvarez","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107841","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107841","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In vitro fertilization (IVF) in rabbits is an important biotechnology, but its success remains low due to inefficient sperm capacitation. This study examines relationships between motility parameters (MP), protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PTP) and acrosomal exocytosis (AE) between sperm recovered after direct swim-up (DSU), and after 16 h of in vitro incubation under capacitating conditions, and heterologous IVF capacity. Variables were assessed in fresh ejaculates (ES), and after 2 h of DSU, and 16 h (T16) of incubation. PTP were grouped into four patterns in the different sperm structures according to their time-dependent appearance and AE. Throughout incubation, MP remained stable whereas AE increased after DSU and 16 h of incubation. Mid-piece PTP patterns increased after DSU and persisted until 16 h in reacted (R) and non-reacted spermatozoa (NR). In R and NR, annulus-ring PTP levels were also significantly higher in T16 versus DSU or ES. Flagellum PTP levels rose significantly during incubation such that highest levels were recorded in T16. In R sperm, levels of PTP patterns associated with the equatorial zone in T16 were significantly higher compared to NR and to DSU and ES. Cleavage rates were significantly higher at T16 than DSU and these were similar to rates recorded for homologous IVF used as positive control. Our capacitation protocol and PTP patterns at 16 h rendered the sperm competent to fertilize an oocyte in vitro. This time point matches the physiological timing of fertilization in vivo. We also describe a new annulus ring PTP pattern for this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 107841"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143881433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing pregnancy rates in bovine embryo recipients: How equine (eCG) and human (hCG) chorionic gonadotropins affect corpus luteum development","authors":"Ana Clara Degan Mattos ,&nbsp;Danilo Zago Bisinotto ,&nbsp;Paulo Mielli Bonacim ,&nbsp;Isabella Rio Feltrin ,&nbsp;Blener Gandolfi Filho ,&nbsp;Karine Galhego Morelli ,&nbsp;Maurício Barros Fernandes ,&nbsp;Rogério Fonseca Guimarães Peres ,&nbsp;Guilherme Pugliesi","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We compared the effects of hCG and eCG treatment on CL development and pregnancy per embryo transfer (P/ET) in beef cows. In Exp.1, non-lactating Nelore cows received either no treatment (Control, n = 13) or 500, 1000, or 2000 IU hCG (n = 12–13/group) two days after ovulation. Luteal area (LA), blood perfusion (BP), and P4 levels were measured for 14 days. In Exp.2, primiparous crossbred cows (n = 889) subjected to a P4/E2 protocol on Day 0 (D0) were assigned to Control (300 IU eCG on D9), eCG/2x (150 IU eCG on D7 and D9), hCG (300 IU eCG on D9 +1000 IU hCG on D14), or eCG/2x+hCG groups. Dominant follicle (DF) size, LA, BP, and P4 were measured, and fresh blastocysts were transferred on D18. In Exp.1, accessory CL (aCL) rate differed (P &lt; 0.05) among treatment groups (C, 0 %^C; hCG-500, 8 %^BC; hCG-1000, 61.5 %^A; hCG-2000, 41.6 %^AB). Total LA was greater (P &lt; 0.05) in hCG-1000 and hCG-2000 than in Control. BP did not differ significantly (P &gt; 0.1). P4 concentration was higher (P = 0.04) from day 6–12 in the hCG-1000 and hCG-2000 groups. In Exp.2, eCG/2x increased DF size (P = 0.07), and combined hCG and eCG/2x treatments increased LA (P &lt; 0.01). Combining hCG with eCG/2x; however, reduced BP (P = 0.01). P/ET was higher (P = 0.01) in eCG/2x and hCG groups than in Control at 28- and 60–150-days post-ET. In conclusion, ≥ 1000 IU hCG improves LA, P4, and P/ET but not BP. Administering eCG twice enhances DF and P/ET but combining eCG and hCG is not suggested due to reduced BP without further improving P/ET.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 107840"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143869059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of CSTB on in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes","authors":"Ying Chen ,&nbsp;Gulimire Abudureyimu ,&nbsp;Jiapeng Lin ,&nbsp;Liqin Wang ,&nbsp;Xiuling Ma ,&nbsp;Xiangli Wu ,&nbsp;Yangsheng Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107839","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107839","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cystatin B (CSTB) primarily acts as an intracellular cysteine cathepsin inhibitor and plays important biological functions in multiple tissues. This study aimed to investigate the expression of CSTB in ovine ovaries and its effect on the in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes. We cloned a 390 bp CSTB cDNA fragment, containing 297 bp coding sequence and encoding 98 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of the homologues of ovine CSTB is 72.45–98.98 % similar to other species. In addition, CSTB is highly expressed in the ovary and uterus of the reproductive system, specifically localized in granulosa cells and oocytes. Adding recombinant CSTB to in vitro maturation medium increased the maturation rate, cleavage rate and blastocyst rate of small follicle oocytes. Conversely, interfering with CSTB knockdown reduced the maturation rate and developmental potential of oocytes. Recombinant protein upregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP, and autophagy protein LC3A/LC3B in oocytes while downregulated reactive oxygen species. In contrast, CSTB knockdown reversed these trends, resulting in significant downregulation of membrane potential, ATP, and LC3A/LC3B and upregulation of reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, CSTB is a critical functional molecule for the in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes. It regulates oocyte developmental potential by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane potential and autophagy in ovine oocytes. These findings enhance the understanding of the role of CSTB in ovine oocyte maturation in vitro.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107839"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of different liquid nitrogen levels on bull sperm cryostorage and its impact on sperm quality","authors":"Álvaro de Miranda Alves ,&nbsp;Marcilio Nichi ,&nbsp;Camilla Mota Mendes ,&nbsp;Roberta Ferreira Leite ,&nbsp;Ken Kawaoka Nagai ,&nbsp;Adenan Vitório Dias ,&nbsp;Mayra Elena Ortiz D.'Avila Assumpção ,&nbsp;André Maciel Crespilho","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study aimed to compare the impact of liquid nitrogen (LN2) levels within the storage dewar on sperm quality and investigate the effects of the nitrogen level on the sperm straws stored at the top or bottom of the semen racks. A total of 48 straws from 8 different bulls were used. Analyses were performed at three different LN2 levels within the dewar (30, 15, and 7 cm), and at each level, two straws (one from the top and one from the bottom of the rack) from each bull were used. Analyses included assessing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity (PMAI), and sperm kinematics using CASA. Neither the evaluated nitrogen levels nor the straw storage location in the top or bottom goblet of the rack affected sperm quality. There were no differences in total and progressive motility or MMP and PMAI. The results obtained in this study show that, as long as the internal temperature in the dewar is maintained at −194 °C or below, even at the lowest evaluated liquid nitrogen level, there is no loss of sperm quality, regardless of the storage location of the straw in the rack.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107837"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive analysis of non-coding RNAs in the ovaries of high and low egg production hens","authors":"Jintang Luo ,&nbsp;Tiantian Sun ,&nbsp;Siyi Jiang ,&nbsp;Zhuliang Yang ,&nbsp;Cong Xiao ,&nbsp;Jixian Deng ,&nbsp;Biyan Zhou ,&nbsp;Xiurong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107836","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107836","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Egg production performance a critical economic trait in the poultry industry. The regulatory mechanisms underlying egg production performance mediated by non-coding RNAs remain to be characterized. To systematically investigate ovarian lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs associated with laying efficiency, we conducted comparative transcriptomic analyses using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of ovarian tissues from phenotypically divergent groups - high egg production (HEP) and low egg production (LEP) hens. In our study, we identified 675 lncRNAs, 140 circRNAs, and 10 miRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed (DE) between HEP and LEP. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that target genes of DE lncRNAs, DE miRNAs, and the source genes of DE circRNAs are involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, endocytosis, notch signaling pathway, among others. Furthermore, we identified five miRNA-mRNA interactions related to egg production including gga-miR-449c-3p, and five genes (<em>GLI</em>2, <em>TAC</em>1, <em>EML</em>6, <em>THOC</em>3, <em>MMP</em>9). These findings establish the first comprehensive ncRNA interactome driving ovarian efficiency, offering both biomarkers for breeding selection and mechanistic targets for reproductive enhancement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107836"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of freezing and thawing techniques on the in vitro quality of pellet-frozen ram semen","authors":"E.A. Spanner,&nbsp;J.P. Rickard,&nbsp;S.P. de Graaf","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107822","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107822","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The post-thaw quality of pellet-frozen ram semen was evaluated based on (i) sperm concentration, (ii) thawing diluent, and (iii) the number of pellets thawed simultaneously. Ejaculates from three Merino rams were collected, with four replicates per ram (n = 12 ejaculates) for each experiment. In Experiment 1, ejaculates were frozen at 200, 400, 600 or 800 × 10⁶ sperm/ mL. In Experiment 2, ejaculates were frozen at 600 × 10⁶ sperm/ mL and thawed in a dry test tube (control) or with 1 + 3 tris-citrate-fructose, tris-citrate-fructose+egg yolk, PBS+dye, PBS alone or IVF media (Emcare). In Experiment 3, groups of 1, 2 or 3 pellets were thawed in tris-citrate-fructose or a dry test tube (control). Post-thaw samples were tested for motility, acrosome and membrane integrity (FITC-PNA/PI) at 0, 3, and 6 h (all Experiments) and morphology at 0 h (Experiment 1). At 3 and 6 h post-thaw, motility was reduced at 200 × 10⁶ sperm/mL compared to other concentrations (P &lt; 0.05). Across all time points, samples frozen at 800 × 10⁶ sperm/mL (P &lt; 0.05) showed lower viability, while freezing at 200 × 10⁶ sperm/mL increased morphological abnormalities (P &lt; 0.05). Thawing pellets with tris-citrate-fructose media resulted in higher motility, acrosome and membrane integrity 0, 3 and 6 h post-thaw (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). Thawing one-pellet in tris-citrate-fructose improved motility and viability post-thaw (P &lt; 0.05) compared to multiple pellets, while the number of pellets thawed had no significant effect when dry-thawed (P &gt; 0.05). The results suggest that the optimal post-thaw quality is achieved when semen is frozen between 400 and 600 × 10⁶ sperm/mL and thawed in tris-citrate-fructose media, one pellet at a time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107822"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143830100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The surface proteome of rabbit spermatozoa","authors":"Patrícia Pinto-Pinho ,&nbsp;Francis Impens ,&nbsp;Sara Dufour ,&nbsp;Delphi Van Haver ,&nbsp;Rosário Pinto-Leite ,&nbsp;John Howl ,&nbsp;Margarida Fardilha ,&nbsp;Bruno Colaço","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107834","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107834","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cell surface proteins, targeted by approximately 70 % of current pharmaceuticals, offer promising prospects for therapeutic and biotechnological advancements. The recent identification of cell surface proteins, differentially expressed by rabbit spermatozoa, could support technologies to enable sperm sex selection. However, a more detailed knowledge of the rabbit sperm plasma membrane proteome is crucial to such developments. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to conduct a shotgun proteomic (LC-MS/MS) analysis of New Zealand White rabbit spermatozoa protein lysates enriched in cell surface proteins isolated through biotinylation. This approach was designed to provide an overall characterization of this proteome and so determine an expanded list of protein candidates with potential for rabbit sperm sexing. The most promising targets were identified through functional annotation (UniProt and eggNOG-mapper v.2.1.9) and topology prediction (DeepTMHMM v.1.0.13). Additionally, a statistical overrepresentation test (PANTHER 18.0) and analysis of protein–protein interactions (STRING v.12.0) were conducted. Among the 859 detected proteins, 803 had Gene Ontology information, with 574 predicted as globular proteins, 152 as transmembrane proteins, and 133 possessing only a signal peptide. The combined data identified 107 proteins as potential cell surface targets, including three transmembrane proteins encoded by the X chromosome (ADGRG2, ATP6AP2, and VSIG1). Furthermore, two proteins (BCAP31 and PGRMC1), previously identified as putative rabbit X-targets, were recognized. This study enhances our comprehension of rabbit spermatozoa proteomics. Further validation of the utility of these five proteins to differentiate between X- and Y-sperm will determine their suitability for integration into sperm sexing technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107834"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of maternal dietary protein on livestock development, production and health","authors":"Shize Xiao ,&nbsp;Wenju Liu ,&nbsp;Shujun Zhang ,&nbsp;Martine Schroyen","doi":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107835","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107835","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maternal dietary protein plays a pivotal role in shaping offspring development, health, and productivity in economically important livestock species, including pigs, cattle, and sheep. Protein intake during gestation influences multiple physiological processes in the offspring, such as fetal growth, metabolic programming, muscle development, immune function, reproduction, and gut health. The specific effects of maternal protein intake vary depending on the species and the gestational period, as the demands for protein fluctuate throughout pregnancy to support fetal development and postnatal adaptation. This review systematically explores the effects of maternal protein nutrition on the offspring of different species and identifies the commonalities and differences observed in the studies. Studies indicate that maternal protein restriction can lead to lower birth weights, impaired muscle growth, altered metabolic programming, and compromised immune function in offspring, potentially affecting their long-term productivity. Conversely, excessive protein intake may also have adverse effects, such as immune dysregulation and metabolic imbalances. The impact of maternal protein levels extends beyond birth, influencing postnatal growth trajectories, reproductive performance, and gut microbiota composition. While considerable progress has been made in understanding these relationships, gaps remain in identifying the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. Future research should focus on refining dietary recommendations tailored to different livestock species, investigating the role of gestation stage-specific protein requirements, and integrating multi-omics approaches to elucidate the long-term consequences of maternal protein intake. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to optimizing feeding strategies, enhancing animal welfare, and improving the sustainability of livestock production systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7880,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction Science","volume":"276 ","pages":"Article 107835"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143785968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}