Molecular Mechanisms, Immunological, and Physiological Aspects Impacting Animal Fertility

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 606

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Global AgroMedicine Research Center (GAMRC), Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan
Interests: immunology; endometritis; reproduction and fertility; toll-like receptors; molecular modelling; protein–protein interaction; molecular biochemistry; bioinformatics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advancements in animal reproduction and fertility are key priorities in the global agricultural sector. Therefore, a deeper understanding of reproductive biology, assisted reproductive technologies, and approaches for addressing reproductive disorders, such as endometritis, can significantly help farmers and industry professionals optimize reproductive management.

The aim of this Special Issue is to publish original research articles and reviews that investigate the molecular mechanisms, immunological, and physiological factors involved in animal reproduction. We welcome studies that enhance our understanding of reproductive biology, contribute to the advancement of assisted reproductive technologies, or provide insights into the prevention and treatment of reproductive system disorders, including endometritis.

Dr. Alireza Mansouri
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • female reproductive tract
  • reproduction
  • assisted reproductive technologies
  • reproductive diseases
  • endometritis
  • molecular mechanisms
  • immunological/physiological factors

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 8750 KB  
Article
Tissue Cytometry Assay with Nuclear Segmentation for Quantifying NETotic Cells in Neutrophils Stimulated by Spermatozoa in Veterinary Species
by Rodrigo Rivera-Concha, Marion León, Nikol Ponce-Rojas, Aurora Prado-Sanhueza, Pamela Uribe, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla, Raúl Sánchez and Fabiola Zambrano
Animals 2025, 15(18), 2742; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15182742 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 172
Abstract
Upon activation, neutrophils perform three distinct functions: phagocytosis, degranulation of antimicrobial substances into the extracellular medium, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps. Determination of the nuclear area expansion of neutrophils activated to release neutrophil extracellular traps has become critical in demonstrating early neutrophil [...] Read more.
Upon activation, neutrophils perform three distinct functions: phagocytosis, degranulation of antimicrobial substances into the extracellular medium, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps. Determination of the nuclear area expansion of neutrophils activated to release neutrophil extracellular traps has become critical in demonstrating early neutrophil activation and has become standard. Here, we demonstrate an automated method for measuring nuclear area expansion in two different mammalian species: canine and bovine. For both species, neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and co-incubated with fresh spermatozoa for up to 120 min for canine neutrophil–spermatozoa and recently thawed cryopreserved spermatozoa up to 240 min for bovine neutrophil–spermatozoa. Fluorescence images were acquired using a TissueFAXS microscope and then analyzed using StrataQuest v.7.0 software. The images show the release of neutrophil extracellular traps upon activation with spermatozoa for both species, as evidenced by the co-localization of neutrophil elastase and DNA staining. Neutrophil nuclei were expanded as early as 15 min and were detected at up to 120 min in both species. Analysis by nuclei segmentation showed that the data sets generated for both species were reliable and consistent with previously published methods. The method was developed as an automated alternative for measuring the area expansion of neutrophil nuclei in different species. Full article
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