Immunological Frontiers in Livestock Reproduction: From Maternal-Fetal Interface to Assisted Reproductive Technologies

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About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 21 October 2025 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 8 February 2026

  2. This Research Topic is still accepting articles.

Background

The complex interplay between reproductive physiology and the immune system is fundamental to successful pregnancy outcomes in livestock species. The maternal immune system must achieve a delicate balance—tolerating the semi-allogeneic foetus while maintaining a robust defense against pathogens. In livestock, this immunological paradox is further complicated by species-specific placentation strategies, varying gestational periods, and industry demands for reproductive efficiency. Recent advances in immunology have revealed sophisticated mechanisms of maternal-fetal tolerance, including specialized immune cell populations, cytokine networks, and regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, the expanding use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in livestock breeding introduces additional immunological considerations at the embryonic level. Understanding these immunological dimensions has significant implications for addressing reproductive inefficiencies, enhancing genetic improvement programs, and advancing animal welfare in livestock production systems.

This Research Topic aims to explore the multifaceted immunological aspects of reproduction in livestock species, with particular emphasis on the intersection of reproductive immunology and assisted reproductive technologies. Despite significant progress in ARTs such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and in vitro fertilization in livestock, substantial knowledge gaps remain regarding how these technologies interact with and potentially modify immune responses critical for embryo implantation, placentation, and pregnancy maintenance.

We seek to address pressing questions including: How do species-specific immune adaptations influence reproductive outcomes in different livestock? What immunological mechanisms underlie pregnancy failure in high-producing animals? How do ARTs impact local and systemic immune parameters? Can immunomodulatory approaches enhance fertility and embryo survival rates? Recent methodological advances in single-cell technologies, spatial transcriptomics, and systems biology approaches now permit unprecedented insights into these questions.

By bringing together diverse perspectives on livestock reproductive immunology, we aim to foster integrative approaches that translate basic immunological discoveries into practical strategies for improving reproductive efficiency, reducing pregnancy losses, and developing next-generation reproductive technologies for sustainable livestock production.

This Research Topic welcomes contributions covering all aspects of reproductive immunology in livestock species, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses etc. We particularly encourage submissions addressing:

• Maternal-fetal immune interactions across different livestock species

• Immunological determinants of embryo implantation and placentation

• Impact of ARTs on reproductive tract immunity and embryo development intra and inter species.

• Immunological biomarkers of fertility and pregnancy success

• Immunomodulatory strategies to enhance reproductive outcomes

• Comparative immunology of pregnancy across livestock species

• Influence of metabolic status on reproductive immune function

• In-vitro and in-vivo survival of Nuclear transfer, SCNT and transgenic embryos

We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Methodological advances. Interdisciplinary approaches combining immunology with reproductive physiology, genomics, or agricultural sciences are particularly encouraged.


Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

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  • Case Report
  • Clinical Trial
  • Editorial
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Keywords: Reproductive Immunology, Livestock Fertility, Maternal-Fetal Interface, Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Embryo Transfer, Placental Immunology, Pregnancy Loss, Immunomodulation, Bovine Reproduction, Comparative Immunology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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