MINI REVIEW article
Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Animal Reproduction - Theriogenology
Supplementary L-arginine can enhance reproductive parameters and outcomes in large mammals
Provisionally accepted
Nancy Hughes Ing*
Megan M. Ohrt- Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College Station, United States
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The amino acid L-arginine (Arg) is not only proteinogenic, but also a powerful regulator of cell physiology. Arg activates the mechanistic target of rapamycin directly, which regulates numerous kinase pathways. Arg also is metabolized to nitric oxide (a powerful cell signaling molecule) and polyamines, which stabilize proteins and DNA structurally. This Mini Review focusses on the effects of dietary Arg supplementation on reproductive parameters and outcomes in large mammalian species. Studies of Arg supplementation demonstrate consistent benefits to pregnancies in females and sperm quality in male livestock and men. We also present a summary of the numerous and rapid beneficial effects of in vitro Arg supplementation on sperm quality. Dietary and in vitro Arg also appear to reduce the damage to sperm caused by heat stress. However, there is an absence of Arg studies in stallions and dogs: two species that have substantial assisted reproductive technology done by veterinarians and others. Overall, Arg appears to be a safe, inexpensive, and natural supplement that is useful for improving reproductive outcomes in mammals.
Keywords: dietary supplement, Fertility, Heatstress, Pregnancy, Semen quality, Spermatozoa
Received: 05 Nov 2025; Accepted: 17 Dec 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Ing and Ohrt. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Nancy Hughes Ing
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