Livestock Improvement Research Articles

Comparison of Gene Expression for Preimplantation Genes in Bovine Embryos Fertilized in vitro

Background: In vitro fertilization (IVF) the technique is useful for understanding early mammalian development and maximizing and speeding up genetic improvement in livestock. Genes that function as genetic markers and are involved in the pre-implantation development of embryos may be used to evaluate the quality of an embryo and the expression of these genes is correlated with the timing of embryonic genomic activation. Methods: Maturing the oocytes of bovine, then fertilizing these matured oocytes and finally culturing the fertilized oocytes to develop into embryos. Determined the gene expression of different certain genes HSP70, OCT4, GLUT1, BAX and DNMT1 in these different cell stages of embryos that were produced. Result: The mRNA expression of these genes was estimated after collecting the embryos listed above that were produced by the in vitro technique. The results showed statistically significant differences in the relative abundance between some of the genes mentioned above in each embryo stage. The timing of the zygotic genome activation process (ZGA) can result in differences in gene expression levels between the early embryonic genes in each developmental stage of in vitro-produced bovine embryos.

Genomic Reference Resource for African Cattle: Genome Sequences and High-Density Array Variants

The diversity in genome resources is fundamental to designing genomic strategies for local breed improvement and utilisation. These resources also support gene discovery and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of resilience with applications beyond local breeds. Here, we report the genome sequences of 555 cattle (208 of which comprise new data) and high-density (HD) array genotyping of 1,082 samples (537 new samples) from indigenous African cattle populations. The new sequences have an average genome coverage of ~30X, three times higher than the average (~10X) of the over 300 sequences already in the public domain. Following variant quality checks, we identified approximately 32.3 million sequence variants and 661,943 HD autosomal variants mapped to the Bos taurus reference genome (ARS-UCD1.2). The new datasets were generated as part of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) Genomic Reference Resource for African Cattle (GRRFAC) initiative, which aspires to facilitate the generation of this livestock resource and hopes for its utilisation for complete indigenous breed characterisation and sustainable global livestock improvement.

Phenomics in Livestock Research: Bottlenecks and Promises of Digital Phenotyping and Other Quantification Techniques on a Global Scale.

Bottlenecks in moving genomics to real-life applications also include phenomics. This is true not only for genomics medicine and public health genomics but also in ecology and livestock phenomics. This expert narrative review explores the intricate relationship between genetic makeup and observable phenotypic traits across various biological levels in the context of livestock research. We unpack and emphasize the significance of precise phenotypic data in selective breeding outcomes and examine the multifaceted applications of phenomics, ranging from improvement to assessing welfare, reproductive traits, and environmental adaptation in livestock. As phenotypic traits exhibit strong correlations, their measurement alongside specific biological outcomes provides insights into performance, overall health, and clinical endpoints like morbidity and disease. In addition, automated assessment of livestock holds potential for monitoring the dynamic phenotypic traits across various species, facilitating a deeper comprehension of how they adapt to their environment and attendant stressors. A key challenge in genetic improvement in livestock is predicting individuals with optimal fitness without direct measurement. Temporal predictions from unmanned aerial systems can surpass genomic predictions, offering in-depth data on livestock. In the near future, digital phenotyping and digital biomarkers may further unravel the genetic intricacies of stress tolerance, adaptation and welfare aspects of animals enabling the selection of climate-resilient and productive livestock. This expert review thus delves into challenges associated with phenotyping and discusses technological advancements shaping the future of biological research concerning livestock.

Structural variant landscapes reveal convergent signatures of evolution in sheep and goats

BackgroundSheep and goats have undergone domestication and improvement to produce similar phenotypes, which have been greatly impacted by structural variants (SVs). Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of Asiatic mouflon, and implement a comprehensive analysis of SVs in 897 genomes of worldwide wild and domestic populations of sheep and goats to reveal genetic signatures underlying convergent evolution.ResultsWe characterize the SV landscapes in terms of genetic diversity, chromosomal distribution and their links with genes, QTLs and transposable elements, and examine their impacts on regulatory elements. We identify several novel SVs and annotate corresponding genes (e.g., BMPR1B, BMPR2, RALYL, COL21A1, and LRP1B) associated with important production traits such as fertility, meat and milk production, and wool/hair fineness. We detect signatures of selection involving the parallel evolution of orthologous SV-associated genes during domestication, local environmental adaptation, and improvement. In particular, we find that fecundity traits experienced convergent selection targeting the gene BMPR1B, with the DEL00067921 deletion explaining ~10.4% of the phenotypic variation observed in goats.ConclusionsOur results provide new insights into the convergent evolution of SVs and serve as a rich resource for the future improvement of sheep, goats, and related livestock.

APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ANIMAL NUTRITION: A REVIEW

Nanoparticles are commonly used in human medicine but their applications in agriculture, animal nutrition and veterinary medicine are quite new. To meet the increasing demands on the livestock industry, synthetic antibiotics are the major substances that are used as growth promoters. However, the use of antibiotics as feed additives is risky due to cross-resistance among bacterial strains and residues in tissues of the animals which could be deposited in man after consumption of animal tissues. Thus, the use of most synthetic antibiotics has been banned in many countries in the world, leading to a reduction in usage and the search for alternative growth promoters with minimal or no residual effect has been intense in recent times. Many reports have suggested that nanoparticles may be good substances for animal growth promotion and antimicrobials because some nanomaterials can remove toxins and pathogens. They can also be better absorbed by animals, improving their performance and the quality of products. Nanotechnology can potentially transform the livestock sector because of better bioavailability, small dose rate, and stable interaction of the nanomaterials with other components. Therefore, using nanoparticles is a good alternate approach that is safe and cost-effective for the control of pathogenic microbes and production improvement in livestock. In view of recent developments, this review was undertaken to discuss issues relating to the use of nanomaterials in animal feeds

Interplay of hormones and metabolite excretion with fern pattern prove saliva as a potent indicator of male reproductive status in Kangayam breed cattle.

Kangayam cattle are one of the drought breeds in India with distinct attributes. Agricultural transformation has led to a decline in many pure-breed indigenous cattle, including the Kangayam breed. Hence, a study on the reproductive physiology of male Kangayam breed cattle is necessary to disentangle problems in the area of livestock improvement. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum hormones and bio-constituents and ascertained the potential of saliva as an indicator of the reproductive status of Kangayam cattle (Bos indicus). The present study confirms that cholesterol was higher in intact males and lower in prepubertal and castrated males. Testosterone levels were also higher in intact males than in castrated or prepubertal males. Hence, it can be inferred that high cholesterol levels contribute to active derivatization of testosterone in intact males. In contrast, reduced cholesterol availability leads to decreased testosterone synthesis in castrated and prepubertal males. Furthermore, it is reasonable to speculate that testosterone could have influenced salivary fern patterns in intact males, and thus, fern-like crystallization in the saliva was apparent. The unique salivary compounds identified through GC-MS across various reproductive statuses of Kangayam males may advertise their physiological status to conspecifics. In addition, the presence of odorant-binding protein(OBP) in saliva further supports its role in olfactory communication. This study attested to a posssible interlink between gonadal status and serum biochemical profiles. The salivary fern pattern revealed in this study can be used as a predictive tool, and the presence of putative volatiles and OBP adds evidence to the role of saliva in chemical communication.

Whole-Genome Resequencing Revealed Selective Signatures for Growth Traits in Hu and Gangba Sheep.

A genomic study was conducted to uncover the selection signatures in sheep that show extremely significant differences in growth traits under the same breed, age in months, nutrition level, and management practices. Hu sheep from Gansu Province and Gangba sheep from the Tibet Autonomous Region in China were selected. We collected whole-genome data from 40 sheep individuals (24 Hu sheep and 16 Gangba sheep), through whole-genome sequencing. Selection signals were analyzed using parameters such as FST, π ratio, and Tajima's D. We have identified several candidate genes that have undergone strong selection, particularly those associated with growth traits. Specifically, five growth-related genes were identified in both the Hu sheep group (HDAC1, MYH7B, LCK, ACVR1, GNAI2) and the Gangba sheep group (RBBP8, ACSL3, FBXW11, PLAT, CRB1). Additionally, in a genomic region strongly selected in both the Hu and Gangba sheep groups (Chr 22: 51,425,001-51,500,000), the growth-associated gene CYP2E1 was identified, further highlighting the genetic factors influencing growth characteristics in these breeds. This study analyzes the genetic basis for significant differences in sheep phenotypes, identifies candidate genes related to sheep growth traits, lays the foundation for molecular genetic breeding in sheep, and accelerates the genetic improvement in livestock.

Crossbreeding and its implication for small-scale animal agriculture in Africa: Outcomes, both positive and negative, and future prospects

<p>African animal genetic resources are diverse and have been the subject of crossbreeding for decades to improve local livestock and poultry populations. However, the literature on crossbreeding performance has been inconsistent, with many projects failing due to various reasons. This has led to mixed support and criticism for crossbreeding in small-scale animal agriculture. The review examines the achievements, problems, and future prospects for livestock and poultry genetic improvement through crossbreeding in Africa’s small-scale animal agriculture. Community-based Breeding Practices (CBBP) can be seen as a community livestock development strategy that mobilizes local animal genetic resources and boosts smallholder livestock producers’ ability to collaborate in resource-scarce communities. Genome sequencing is seen as the future cornerstone of promoting crossbreeding in Africa, but it should be based on consideration of the socioeconomic context of small-scale animal husbandry and local livestock production conditions. Smallholder farmers, who are the major custodians of local animal biodiversity, have faced challenges such as genotype and environmental interaction, lack of funding, poor laws, and lack of farmer participation. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of phenomics and genomic prediction in improving animal genetic resources in Africa, but it also emphasizes the need for further research and development in this area. The study suggests that modern breeding technologies (genomics and phenomics) and training of smallholder livestock farmers in improved animal husbandry management practices can be used to enhance food and nutrition security for African rural households. This review examines the effects of crossbreeding through the decades on small-scale livestock farming in Africa, including positive and negative outcomes as well as future implications.<strong></strong></p>

Overview of Marker-assisted Selection in Animal Breeding

Marker-assisted selection (MAS) in animal breeding has undergone transformative advancements, reshaping genetic improvement and reproductive traits in livestock and expanding into new domains. From its inception in the late 20th century to current developments, MAS has evolved dynamically through the integration of genomic technologies, sophisticated statistical models, and innovative gene editing techniques. These advancements have significantly enhanced the precision and impact of MAS, revolutionizing genetic improvement and reproductive performance. By synergizing MAS with cutting-edge technologies, the collective aim is to optimize reproductive performance and genetic potential, fostering a sustainable and productive future for livestock breeding and beyond. The genetic markers, typically DNA sequences or genes linked to specific traits, revolutionized animal breeding by enabling the identification of animals carrying favorable genetic variants without the need for resource-intensive phenotypic evaluations. Marker-assisted selection in reproduction also laid the foundation for genomic selection, an advanced approach utilizing genome-wide markers to estimate breeding values and predict genetic potential. This comprehensive review encapsulates the journey of MAS, emphasizing its historical significance, current advancements, and promising future trajectories, showcasing its pivotal role in shaping the landscape of animal breeding and reproductive science.

Technological Innovation Prospects for Livestock Improvement Corporation Incorporated (LIC Inc.): What way to moo-ve next? (Case and teaching note)

Technological Innovation Prospects for Livestock Improvement Corporation Incorporated (LIC Inc.): What way to moo-ve next? (Case and teaching note)

Technological innovation prospects for Livestock Improvement Corporation Incorporated (LIC Inc.): what way to move next (Case and teaching note)

Technological innovation prospects for Livestock Improvement Corporation Incorporated (LIC Inc.): what way to move next (Case and teaching note)

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Linear Classification Traits in Hanwoo cows Using Multiple Trait Animal Model

This study was conducted to analyzed the statistical model of Hanwoo(Korean native cattle) cows linear classification trait, analyze the structure and environmental effects of linear classification data, and estimate genetic parameters for linear classification data by applying the analyzed environmental effects to use them as basic data for improving the body measurement and appearance of Hanwoo cows animals at the farm level. The data used in this study collected cows linear classification data that participated in the Hanwoo cows linear classification project promoted by the Korea Animal Improvement Association(KAIA) from 2014 to 2019 to quantify the body measurement of cows and use them for livestock improvement, selection, and culling. Among them, the most recent linear classification data was selected as analysis data, the previous data was deleted, outliers in the data were removed, and 369,723 Hanwoo cows suitable for Estimated Breeding Value(EBV) analysis were used. In addition, outliers were removed from the Hanwoo cows linear classification data, and the final score calculated by applying level and grade trait data and four data such as body height, body width, rump length, and pinbone width, which were found to have a high genetic correlation among 19 traits, was used. After removing outliers from the data, the most recent data was selected and used for analysis based on the linear classification month age when the linear classification data was repeatedly recorded for each parity. The least square mean analysis by linear classification trait showed that body height, which is most involved in body measurement and growth, steadily increased up to about 50 months, but there was no change thereafter. It was analyzed that the growth of Hanwoo cows ends on average when they are 50 months old, and the increase in body height slowed after the calf was produced. In the basic statistical analysis of linear classification traits, the average and standard deviation of body height, body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 6.22±1.33, 5.83±1.22, 5.88±1.20, 5.63±1.32 and 80.0±1.83. To analyzed the factors of environmental effects, the farm-birth year-birth season was set as one effect HYS(Herd-Year-Season) to establish the BCS(Body Condition Score), the classifier, the linear classification month, and the contemporary group, and a variance analysis was conducted to confirm that there was a high significant difference(p<0.001) with traits in BCS, classifier, linear classification month, and HYS. In the estimation of the genetic parameters of linear classification traits for Hanwoo cows, the heritability of body height, body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were estimated to be 0.42, 0.18, 0.34, 0.25 and 0.37, respectively. In the analysis of the genetic correlation coefficient between linear classification traits, body height, body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 0.80, 0.96, 0.95 and 0.94, respectively, pinbone width and final score were analyzed as 0.84, 0.84, and 0.89, rump length and pinbone width and final score were 0.94 and 0.92, and pinbone width and final score were analyzed as having a high genetic correlation of 0.97. In the phenotypic correlation coefficient analysis, body height, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 0.39, 0.63, 0.54, and 0.70, respectively, while body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were 0.40, 0.48, and 0.65, and rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 0.61 and 0.70, and pinbone width and final score were 0.73, showing a high correlation between the traits. In the future, continuous research on linear classification traits should be conducted to find out the ideal body type ability of Hanwoo cows for growth ability and fertility trait, and it is believed that the productivity of Hanwoo should be improved through this.

A review on molecular breeding techniques: Crucial approach in livestock improvement

For underdeveloped countries, molecular breeding (MB) has a lot of promise. However, the implementation in developing countries is far from uniform. Livestock improvement programs aim to improve the genetics of domesticated animal populations by selecting males and females who, when mated, will produce progeny that perform better than the current generation's average. The amount of genetic progress made through conventional selection and breeding methods for quantitative traits in livestock is successful, but limitations such as routinely recording phenotypes, animal sacrifice for meat quality traits, recording in particular sex for sex-limited traits, and so on the limit the amount of genetic progress made through conventional selection and breeding methods. Marker-assisted selection (MAS), genome-wide selection (GWS), marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS), and genome-wide sequencing (GS) are examples of modern breeding procedures. Molecular genetics technology may provide a technique to choose breeding animals at an early age (even embryos), to select for a wide variety of features and to improve the accuracy of forecasting an individual's mature phenotype. This paper examines the challenges and potential of applying molecular breeding techniques to improve livestock in developing countries.

A Tale of Enduring Myths: Buffon’s Theory of Animal Degeneration and the Regeneration of Domesticated Animals in Mid-19th Century Brazil

The long 19th century was a period of many developments and technical innovations in agriculture and animal biology, during which actors sought to incorporate new practices in light of new information. By the middle of the century, however, while heredity steadily became the dominant concept in animal husbandry, some policies related to livestock improvement in Brazil seemed to have been tailored following a climate-deterministic concept established in the mid-18th century by the French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, the Comte de Buffon. His theory of animal degeneration posited, among other things, the necessity of recurrent crossbreeding to preserve animal species living in nonnative environments from climate-induced degeneration. Although largely discredited by the early 19th century, the teachings of the French naturalist seem to have found supporters in a Brazilian program to modernize national agriculture through the application of the natural sciences. Herein I examine the revival of Buffon’s theories in that government-sponsored program to improve animal husbandry and breeding techniques, including actual applications of this theory in the real world. Ultimately, I argue that Buffon’s theory of degeneration was used to tailor public policies and funding for the improvement of domesticated animals in Brazil between 1856 and 1860.

39 Developing Precision Agriculture Tools to Capture Behavior and Performance in Extensively Managed Sheep

Abstract Rangeland livestock provide a great opportunity to capture resilience traits due to the significant amount of the year spent grazing a resource-limited environment where they are exposed to extreme weather, predators, and varied terrain. Capturing the ability of an individual to cope with these stressors has the potential to improve animal welfare and productivity in the face of climate change. These measurements need to occur over the course of time of an animal in such an environment or capture the sum of the ability of the animal to cope with the environment. To do this, measurements of resilience and efficiency will be a useful tool to make continued improvement in rangeland livestock through genetic selection. However, the high-throughput phenotyping typically required to capture resilience traits is challenged by the remote location, limited or no access to power and internet, and limited manpower for data collection. Therefore, such tools need to be self-sustaining, automated, and cost-effective to be able to capture data on a large number of individuals in a rangeland setting. To this end, we have been exploring the use of precision livestock tools to capture sheep performance in a rangeland environment. We are currently working on developing a portable walk-over-weighing system to automatically capture an individual’s weight that uses a combination of solar powered portable batteries and an RFID system with the aim to make a compact weighing system that can easily be transported in rough mountainous terrain. This system can be used to capture longitudinal weights in challenging environments, which can be used to develop indicators of resilience, such as the variability in weight over time or changes in weight due to chronic environmental stressors such as a heat wave. Because it is RFID-based, the data can also be used to take stock inventory to track possible predation events or other stock losses. We are also using low-cost commercial-off-the-shelf GPS units to capture animal behavior in these environments. These data can be used to derive a multitude of traits relating to land-use behavior, including water usage and daily distance traveled. The data can also be used to capture social interactions, such as ewe-lamb relationships. While the information content is high for these datatypes, there are also challenges associated with missing or unreliable data. We are currently exploring methods to combat these challenges to provide robust measurements of performance. Through these data, we aim to develop traits that integrate animal performance and behavior to identify animals that are better suited to a rangeland environment. We expect that breeding of such animals will result in a positive impact on productivity, a reduced impact on the ecosystem, and lower mortality rates, thereby improving the sustainability of livestock production systems.

Population distribution and breeding practices of livestock in different districts of Bangladesh

The objectives of this study were to determine the farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, livestock population dynamics, and breeding practices followed by the farmers. Out of 1487 farmers, a major proportion (53.12%) of farmers was middle-aged. Most of the farmers (71.22%) were associated with agricultural activities and had low income per month (52.32%). Livestock keeping patterns of farmers were cattle, goats, buffalo, and combinations of these animals. Female animals were inferred to be more prevalent in different districts (cow 85.08%, doe 81.29%) than males (bull 14.92%, buck 18.71%). In case of cattle and goats, the highest number of farmers maintained a medium size herd, whereas buffalo farmers had a large herd size. In terms of breeding practices, the majority of the farmers (75.55%) performed artificial insemination (AI) in cattle and found it convenient to service their cows. When considering buffalo, and goat, the majority of the farmers (94.12% and 98.50%, respectively) practiced natural services. The findings also demonstrated that the majority of the farmers (73.8% and 82%, respectively) raised crossbreed cattle and buffalo, while just a tiny portion (26.18% and 18%, respectively) raised indigenous breeds. However, this situation was vice versa in case of goat. For choice of the breed according to the farmers, 39.17% of farmers preferred Black Bengal goat, 60.83% preferred cross breed. This study represents a comprehensive overview of livestock status and existing breeding practices employed by the farmers in different districts of Bangladesh, which may be utilized to implement relevant livestock improvement programs in Bangladesh. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2023, 8(3), 38-48

Epigenetic Markers for Animal Health and Productivity in Livestock

Epigenetic markers are molecular modifications that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. They are influenced b y genetic and environmental factors and play crucial roles in animal health and productivity. Epigenetic processes include DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling. This review supports the recent discoveries on the impacts of epigen etic processes on livestock production and health traits, such as growth, development, disease resistance, and stress response. It also discusses the potential applications of epigenetic biomarkers in livestock management and improvement, as well as the ch allenges and gaps in livestock epigenetics research.

Agricultural Policies and Practices: Pathways for Transformation

Agriculture has been a cornerstone of human civilization for thousands of years, providing food and other essential resources to sustain our societies. However, as we enter the 21st century, we face unprecedented challenges that threaten the very foundations of our agricultural systems. Climate change, resource depletion, and population growth are just a few of the issues that demand urgent attention from policymakers and practitioners alike. Further, the growing population, climate change, the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war, and the depreciation of national currencies have disrupted the global food supply chain and increased food prices and food insecurity in many countries, including Nepal. The Nepalese agriculture sector alone contributed employment opportunities for more than 60 % of the population with a 23.9% share in total value added of the national economy (Ministry of Finance, 2022). Though the majority of farmers in Nepal are engaged in the agriculture sector, there is still a dominance of traditional and subsistence agriculture and the country's agricultural production is not enough to feed its population. The continued rise in import bills and volume of food products in recent years has been a major challenge for the country. Addressing these constraints warrants consortia of efforts from the government, nonprofits, and private sectors to promote sustainable and regenerative agricultural concepts and practices that align with local farm attributes and the agroecological environment. With the above mentioned issue, Policy Research Institute, the publisher of NPPR, collaborated with Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) for the utilization of expert knowledge for public policy making and policy discussion. PRI is open to collaborating with any professional and intellectual society for policy issues. Thereof, a two-day (January 6-7, 2023) virtual symposium on "Agricultural Policies and Practices in Nepal: Pathways for Transformation" was jointly organized by the PRI and NAPA with the aim to discuss and synthesize structural, policy intervention-related procedural, and local barriers and issues inherent to inadequate agricultural growth in Nepal and recommend transformative and pragmatic policies, programs, and practices feasible at local, regional, and national levels. The other symposium collaborators were the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS, Tribhuvan University), Nepal Agricultural Cooperative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL), and Society of Agricultural Scientists-Nepal (SAS-Nepal). The 38 papers presented at the symposium brought together over 500 researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world. The symposium highlighted the importance of innovative policies and practices that can help transform agriculture and ensure its sustainability for future generations. The symposium was organized and facilitated in four thematic areas. The Agriculture Policy theme highlighted an analysis of current agricultural policies, laws, and regulations that have hindered the production and marketing of farm products, land use policies, transformative agriculture for the viable and circular economy, promoting cooperative farming, farm diversity, and sustainability including internationally successful policy practices suitable for Nepal. The Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension theme included diverse subject matters. These were genetic improvement of crops and livestock for diverse agro-climatic zones; technology innovations and dissemination; science-based knowledge and extension practices; climate-smart and organic agriculture; agri-business and entrepreneurship; commercial agriculture; and integration of agricultural research, education, and extension. Similarly, the Technology and Infrastructure Development theme focused on varied avenues of innovative technology (such as UAV, GIS, and Remote Sensing), farm mechanization, and smart and efficient irrigation practices to optimize costs of production, labor, fertilizer shortages, and monitoring of plant and soil health Finally, the Governance theme underpinned coherence and discordance between the policy frameworks and governing structures/mechanisms of three levels of government and opportunities for realignment for agricultural transformation as well as a local governance framework for agricultural service delivery at a municipality level. Finally, the symposium highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaborations in driving transformational change. The papers discussed the potential of public-private partnerships, multi-stakeholder platforms, and other forms of collaboration to leverage resources, share knowledge, and scale up innovative solutions. This special issue received 20 papers for publication consideration, however, after the review process, it is able to manage 12 papers for publication. These papers provide a rich and diverse set of insights into the pathways for transforming agriculture. They offer both practical guidance and theoretical frameworks for policymakers and practitioners seeking to navigate the complex challenges facing agriculture today. We hope this special issue will inspire further research and action towards a more sustainable and equitable agricultural future. We thank all the authors who contributed to this special issue and the reviewers who provided their valuable feedback. We also extend our appreciation to the symposium organizers and collaborators. Finally, we encourage additional authors/presenters to submit their papers in the NPPR’s Regular Issue, which will be published in September 2023.

Seminal plasma metabolomics analysis of differences in liquid preservation ability of boar sperm.

The preservation of semen is pivotal in animal reproduction to ensure successful fertilization and genetic improvement of livestock and poultry. However, investigating the underlying causes of differences in sperm liquid preservation ability and identifying relevant biomarkers remains a challenge. This study utilized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze the metabolite composition of seminal plasma (SP) from two groups with extreme differences in sperm liquid preservation ability. The two groups namely the good liquid preservation ability (GPA) and the poor preservation ability (PPA). The aim was to explore the relationship between metabolite composition in SP and sperm liquid preservation ability, and to identify candidate biomarkers associated with this ability of sperm. The results revealed the identification of 756 metabolites and 70 differentially expressed metabolites (DEM) in the SP from two groups of boar semen with differing liquid preservation abilities at 17 ℃. The majority of identified metabolites in the SP belonged to organic acids and derivatives as well as lipids and lipid-like molecules. The DEM in the SP primarily consisted of amino acids, peptides, and analogues. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis also demonstrated that the DEM are mainly concentrated in amino acid synthesis and metabolism related pathways (P < 0.05). Furthermore, eleven key metabolites were identified and six target amino acids were verified, and the results were consistent with the non-targeted metabolic analysis. These findings indicated that amino acids and their associated pathways play a potential role in determining boar sperm quality and liquid preservation ability. D-proline, arginine, L-citrulline, phenylalanine, leucine, DL-proline, DL-serine, and indole may serve as potential biomarkers for early assessment of boar sperm liquid preservation ability. The findings of this study are helpful to understand the causes and mechanisms of differences in liquid preservation ability of boar sperm, and provide valuable insights for improving semen quality assessment methods and developing novel extenders or protocols.

In vitro embryo production in small ruminants: what is still missing?

In vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an extremely important tool for genetic improvement in livestock and it is the biotechnology that has grown the most recently. However, multiple ovulation followed by embryo transfer is still considered the leading biotechnology for embryo production in small ruminants. This review aimed to identify what is still missing for more efficient diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants, going through the IVEP steps and highlighting the main factors affecting the outcomes. Oocyte quality is essential for the success of IVEP and an aspect to be considered in small ruminants is their reproductive seasonality and strategies to mitigate the effect of season. The logistics for oocyte collection from live females is more complex than in cattle, and tools to simplify this collection system and/or to promote an alternative way of recovering oocytes may be an important point in this scenario. The heterogeneity of oocytes collected from growing follicles in live females or from ovaries collected from abattoirs remains a challenge, and there is a demand to standardize/homogenize the hormonal stimulatory protocols and IVM protocols for each source of oocytes. The use of sexed semen is technically possible, however the low market demand associated with the high costs of the sexing process prevents the routine use of this technique, but its higher availability is an important aspect aiming for greater dissemination of IVEP. New noninvasive approaches for embryo selection are key factors since the selection for transfer or cryopreservation is another difficulty faced among laboratories. Embryo selection is based on morphological traits, although these are not necessarily reliable in predicting pregnancy. Several issues described in this review must be considered by researchers in other to promote the diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants.