Raquel Santos Silva

Dr. Raquel Santos Silva

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 May 2025 in Animals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RSRaquel Santos Silva
Raquel Santos Silva
CMCesar Meza-Herrera
Cesar Meza-Herrera
BCBrenda Castro-Roque
Brenda Castro-Roque
GCGuadalupe Calderón-Leyva
Guadalupe Calderón-Leyva
Cayetano Navarrete-MolinaCayetano Navarrete-Molina
Cayetano Navarrete-Molina
CRCesar A. Rosales-Nieto
Cesar A. Rosales-Nieto
Goats are primarily raised in marginal, arid, and semi-arid production systems and exhibit a seasonal reproductive pattern. Extending their reproductive season would enhance food security and improve the economic viability of goat production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of SeVE supplementation during the anestrus season on ovarian activity in anestrous goats subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol. The response variables included estrus induction (EI), ovulatory rate (OR), corpus luteum diameter (CLD), left and right ovary diameters (LOD and ROD), embryo implantation (EMBRYO), and pregnancy rates (PREG). Adult, anestrous, crossbred dairy goats (n = 32) from northern semi-arid Mexico (i.e., Comarca Lagunera, 26° N) were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups based on age, live weight (LW), and body condition score (BCS): (1) the supplemented group (SeVE; n = 16), received 5 mg selenium plus 350 IU vitamin E, and (2) the control group (CONT; n = 16), received physiological saline. Estrus was induced using a combination of progesterone (P4, 20 mg), equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG, 400 IU), and exposure to the male effect. While no differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the groups for LW and BCS, the variables EI, OR, EMBRYO, and PREG rates were higher (p < 0.05) in the SeVE group than the CONT group. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the groups for CLD, LOD, or ROD. Thus, SeVE-targeted supplementation improved reproductive outcomes without affecting ovarian structure size (i.e., a non-dimensional ovarian SeVE action), suggesting that this precision supplementation strategy certainly enhances reproductive efficiency. This was possibly related to selenium-induced increases in P4 synthesis, and the antioxidant effects on follicular development correlate with improved endometrial development, conceptus survival, embryo growth, and pregnancy maintenance. Such improvements could contribute to the sustainability of marginal production systems in the semi-arid regions of northern Mexico, supporting food security and increasing economic returns for goat producers and their families.

24 September 2026 in Veterinary Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CMCesar Meza-Herrera
Cesar Meza-Herrera
ASAngeles De Santiago-Miramontes
Angeles De Santiago-Miramontes
ARAndrés J. Rodríguez-Sánchez
Andrés J. Rodríguez-Sánchez
KRKarla Q. Ramirez-Uranga
Karla Q. Ramirez-Uranga
RSRaquel Santos Silva
Raquel Santos Silva
SASariñana Navarrete Maria de los Angeles
Sariñana Navarrete Maria de los Angeles
This study capitalizes on computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) to evaluate a precision nutritional strategy integrating agro-industrial feed upcycling and functional phytogenic supplementation in rams. Black Belly rams (n = 15) sustained on an upcycled basal diet derived from dairy-cow feed rejections were assigned to a non-supplemented control group (CONT) or supplemented with Withania somnifera (WITH) or Lepidium meyenii (LEPI) at 400 mg kg−1 LW d−1. The 64-day trial was conducted from May to July in arid northern Mexico. Sexual drive, seminal quality, and high-resolution sperm kinematics were evaluated using CASA. Body and testicular measurements, ejaculate volume, and most categorical motility traits remained comparable among treatments (p > 0.05). However, phytogenic supplementation enhanced selected seminal and sexual-drive variables (p < 0.05). Crucially, longitudinal treatment × time interactions (p < 0.05) showed that while the CONT group experienced a seasonal decline in local mobility (LOCMOB), it increased from 1.47% to 2.01% in the WITH group, representing a 37% relative increase over time. Moreover, both WITH and LEPI increased LIN and STR by the end of the experimental period (p < 0.05), demonstrating more linear and efficient sperm trajectories. These findings highlight the productive value of upcycled dairy-cow feed rejections and demonstrate that strategic supplementation with W. somnifera or L. meyenii can refine sexual drive, seminal quality, and sperm kinematic efficiency. This integrated bio-circular strategy provides actionable insights for sustainable small-ruminant production under challenging arid summer conditions.