This study aimed to evaluate boar sperm characteristics and proteins, in relation to their importance regarding in vivo fertility. Sixty-five ejaculates were used and 468 sows (parity ≥ 2) were inseminated. Sperm CASA kinetics, morphology, viability, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm membrane biochemical activity (HOST) and sperm proteins (Heat Shock Protein 90-HSP90, glutathione peroxidase-5-GPX5, Osteopontin 70-OPN70) were assessed and related to field fertility (number of live-born piglets—NLBP, litter size ≥ 12 piglets—LS, farrowing rate—FR). Statistical analysis was conducted with simple and multiple regression models. Simple regression analysis showed that immotile sperm (IM) significantly affected the NLBP and LS, explaining 6.7% and 6.5% of their variation, respectively. The HOST positive spermatozoa significantly affected the NLBP and LS, explaining 24.5% and 7.8% of their variation, respectively. Similarly, sperm with activated mitochondria significantly affected the NLBP, explaining 13.5% of its variation. Moreover, the OPN70 affected LS and FR, explaining 7.5% and 10.8% of their variation, respectively. Sperm GPX5 protein affected FR, explaining 6.7% of its variation. Multiple regression analysis showed that the combination of IM and/OPN70 explains 13.0% of the variation regarding LS, and the combination of GPX5 and OPN70 explains 13.6% of the variation regarding FR. In conclusion, the estimation of parameters IM, membrane biochemical activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, OPN and GPX5 can provide useful information regarding semen doses for field fertility.

This study evaluated the effects of maternal supplementation with rumen-protected methionine (RPM), alone or combined with rumen-protected choline (RPC) and betaine (RPB), during the periconceptional and prepartum periods on reproductive outcomes and offspring performance in Chios ewes. One hundred synchronized ewes were assigned to three groups—control (no supplementation), M (5.50 g RPM/day), and MCB (3.50 g RPM, 1.60 g RPC, 0.49 g RPB/day)—from day −14 to +14 relative to mating. Blood was collected on days −14, 0, and +14 for ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ferric-reducing ability (FRAP), and malondialdehyde (MDA), on days 18 and 21 for progesterone, and on day 26 for pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) detection. Thirty days before and up to lambing, the ewes were further divided into C-C, C-M, C-MCB, M-M, M-C, MCB-MCB, and MCB-C subgroups. Embryonic loss did not differ between groups. FRAP was higher (p < 0.001) in MCB ewes, and ABTS was lower (p < 0.05) in M ewes, in the periconceptional period. Offspring in the C-M, C-MCB, M-M, M-C, and MCB-MCB groups had higher birth weights (p < 0.01), along with increased MDA levels (p < 0.05). The results suggest that maternal methyl donor supplementation during early and/or late gestation enhances antioxidant status, supports embryonic development, and increases birth weight.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of providing Spirulina platensis (Spirulina) on reproductive performance of female mink. A total of 100 adult brown female mink (Mustela vison) were randomly and equally allocated to control group (C group), in which mink were fed basal diet and Spirulina group (Sp group), where mink received basal diet supplemented with 100 mg of Spirulina/kg of body weight. The experiment lasted 5 months, starting from 1 month prior to mating till kit weaning. Weight gain during pre-mating period was higher in Sp group compared to C group (p < 0.001). Sp group remained heavier until the onset of lactation. Subsequently, mink of Sp group lost more weight than C group (p < 0.001) but without an adverse effect on kit survival. A tendency for a higher whelping rate was detected in Sp group (93.61%) compared to C group (81.25%) (p = 0.07). Litter size, as well as weight of kits at weaning, did not differ between groups (p > 0.10). Finally, Sp group weaned numerically more kits compared to C group. Results obtained here showed that Spirulina treated animals tended to an increased whelping rate.

Within the evolving regulatory landscape of the European Union concerning animal by-product (ABP) management within the circular economy framework, this study explores the concurrent objectives of safeguarding public health and environmental integrity and maximizing final product value. Anaerobic digestion (AD) emerges as a holistic solution for ABP management, addressing sanitation concerns while enhancing end-product quality. Through laboratory-scale experimentation, the AD process applied to four substrates—poultry manure, swine manure, cattle manure, and food waste—is scrutinized. Prior to AD, pasteurization at 70 °C for 60 min ensures microbial safety. Subsequently, four experimental AD cycles compare pasteurized and unpasteurized substrates. Results highlight the efficacy of pasteurization in sanitizing final products across all substrates, emphasizing its pivotal role in product safety. However, pasteurization’s impact on system performance varies. While enhancing biogas yield from animal waste notably, its influence on food waste biogas production is less pronounced, indicating substrate-specific dynamics. This study offers insights into optimizing ABP management strategies, emphasizing the interplay between pasteurization, substrate characteristics, and AD performance. Such insights are crucial for advancing sustainable practices in the circular economy paradigm, balancing environmental stewardship with economic viability.

Climate change and increasing thermal pressure represent major long-term challenges for sheep production, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions and production systems. Heat stress can alter thermoregulatory, metabolic, endocrine, reproductive, oxidative, and immune responses, with consequences for animal health, welfare, and productive performance. This review critically evaluates current evidence on the biological and production-related consequences of heat stress in sheep and examines nutritional, genetic, environmental, health-management, and precision-monitoring approaches within a climate-resilience framework. The evidence indicates substantial variation in the magnitude and persistence of heat-stress responses according to breed or genotype, physiological and nutritional status, production system, and the intensity, duration, and timing of thermal exposure. Controlled studies provide important mechanistic insight, whereas field studies capture commercial complexity but are more strongly influenced by concurrent nutritional, climatic, health, and management factors. Nutritional, genetic, environmental, and precision-monitoring interventions offer opportunities to support adaptation, but their effectiveness and transferability across production systems require further validation. Improving climate resilience will therefore require context-specific combinations of complementary strategies rather than uniform solutions. Major research priorities include long-term field evaluation, improved comparability of heat-stress assessment, investigation of concurrent stressors, and evaluation of the practical and economic feasibility of adaptation and mitigation measures under commercial conditions.