Male fertility is highly influential to reproductive efficiency of livestock production. Spermatozoa are known to contribute half of the genomic information of the zygote. However, recent findings suggest a much larger impact of the sire on early pregnancy based on spermatozoa epigenomic modifications, seminal plasma nutrients, and cytokine concentration of the ejaculate (Robertson, 2005; Bromfield et al., 2014). In addition, components of the ejaculate must work in conjunction with the maternal system to create a uterine environment that facilitates the successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy (Bazer et al., 2011; Mullen et al., 2012). While the previously cited reports suggest that sire nutrition can impact the composition of seminal plasma, the male contribution to early pregnancy, and, thus, overall livestock production efficiency, the influence of other factors such as stress, diseases, and environmental conditions remains unknown on sire ability to contribute to healthy fetal programming and progeny.
In order to accommodate the rising population by 2050, a 70 percent increase in global food production is required, including 200 million tons of meat as countries become more developed (FAO, 2009). By increasing reproductive efficiency and maximizing genetic potential of livestock, the required increase in meat production can be achieved. Due to the fact that a single male can sire 20 or more offspring in a single year/breeding season, these animals are a driving force in genetic and phenotypic potential of livestock and meat production. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to depict the current state of male physiological research in livestock with a special focus on production efficiency and paternal fetal programming.
This collection is intended to cover how diet, stress, health and environment can impact male fertility via:
- spermatogenesis,
- sperm maturation,
- sperm quality,
- and accessory fluid production
All of these components play a direct role in livestock production and could potentially have an indirect role in fetal programming; therefore, the manuscripts looking at the male and female interaction that could lead to fetal programming would also fit into the scope of this collection. This is not intended to be focused on any livestock species in particular and is open to all data reporting the impacts or interaction of environment and management on male physiology influencing production efficiency.
Male fertility is highly influential to reproductive efficiency of livestock production. Spermatozoa are known to contribute half of the genomic information of the zygote. However, recent findings suggest a much larger impact of the sire on early pregnancy based on spermatozoa epigenomic modifications, seminal plasma nutrients, and cytokine concentration of the ejaculate (Robertson, 2005; Bromfield et al., 2014). In addition, components of the ejaculate must work in conjunction with the maternal system to create a uterine environment that facilitates the successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy (Bazer et al., 2011; Mullen et al., 2012). While the previously cited reports suggest that sire nutrition can impact the composition of seminal plasma, the male contribution to early pregnancy, and, thus, overall livestock production efficiency, the influence of other factors such as stress, diseases, and environmental conditions remains unknown on sire ability to contribute to healthy fetal programming and progeny.
In order to accommodate the rising population by 2050, a 70 percent increase in global food production is required, including 200 million tons of meat as countries become more developed (FAO, 2009). By increasing reproductive efficiency and maximizing genetic potential of livestock, the required increase in meat production can be achieved. Due to the fact that a single male can sire 20 or more offspring in a single year/breeding season, these animals are a driving force in genetic and phenotypic potential of livestock and meat production. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to depict the current state of male physiological research in livestock with a special focus on production efficiency and paternal fetal programming.
This collection is intended to cover how diet, stress, health and environment can impact male fertility via:
- spermatogenesis,
- sperm maturation,
- sperm quality,
- and accessory fluid production
All of these components play a direct role in livestock production and could potentially have an indirect role in fetal programming; therefore, the manuscripts looking at the male and female interaction that could lead to fetal programming would also fit into the scope of this collection. This is not intended to be focused on any livestock species in particular and is open to all data reporting the impacts or interaction of environment and management on male physiology influencing production efficiency.
