**Preface**

One of the most important biological processes increasingly attracting biologists is redox homeostasis and its relationship with the efficiency and maintenance of different biological systems. The redox status imbalance in livestock production is associated with low animals' productive and reproductive performance and can be considered a drive for many health problems. This is mainly due to the negative impacts of imbalanced levels between antioxidant action and free radical formation in the body. Elevated levels of free radicals can adversely affect cell functions, stimulate apoptotic pathways, and damage different functioning and structural molecules.

Based on these facts, the editors of the present Special Issue have discussed the importance of this topic and subsequently approved unanimously to initiate this distinguished Special Issue entitled "Antioxidants in Animal Production, Reproduction, Health and Welfare". This is to present to the scientific community a piece of art and cutting-edge knowledge on maintaining redox homeostasis and minimizing oxidative stress in food-producing animals.

Moreover, this Special Issue presents different innovative strategies/solutions to maintain the redox status of animals, particularly when animals face harsh environmental conditions and/or improper physiological processes, which can make animals more vulnerable to negative oxidative stress impacts. In this Special Issue, 25 research articles and review articles were published. The articles reflect the international research trend on this topic, as articles from various research groups worldwide were published. Finally, we hope that by the release of this Special Issue, we can pave the way for more research work that enables us to understand more clearly the role of redox homeostasis in the farm animals' health and productivity to meet both animal welfare standards and the need for mass production of animal-based foods.

> **Youssef A. Attia, Woo Kyun Kim, Nesrein Hashem, and Maria de Olivera** *Editors*
