Topics and Trends in Most Cited Reproductive Physiology in Livestock Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Reproductive Physiology in Livestock research in the Class of 2026?

Research in livestock reproductive physiology for the Class of 2026 highlights metabolic stress management during the transition period and heat stress resilience. Key trend shifts reveal a surge in rumen microbiome profiling and pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling, moving away from broad observational herd studies toward precision molecular physiology.

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Updated July 21, 2026

At a glance

Field
Reproductive Physiology in Livestock
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
4,041
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Transition period, heat stress, rumen microbiome, folliculogenesis, metabolic stress
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
15–28
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 4,041
2818m citations

Phenotypic variation of dairy cows’ hematic metabolites and feasibility of non-invasive monitoring of the metabolic status in the transition period

Silvia Magro et al.Frontiers in Veterinary Science202410.3389/fvets.2024.1437352

Angela CostaUniversity of Padova, Italy

transition periodDairy cattlehematic metabolitesmid-infrared spectroscopyβ-hydroxybutyrateNon-esterified fatty acidscholesterolblood glucoseureatotal proteinalbuminglobulinaspartate aminotransferasegamma-glutamyl transferasecreatine kinasebilirubincortisolnegative energy balancesubclinical ketosismilk MIR prediction
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#2 of 4,041
2718m citations

An integrated microbiome- and metabolome-genome-wide association study reveals the role of heritable ruminal microbial carbohydrate metabolism in lactation performance in Holstein dairy cows

Chenguang Zhang et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01937-3

Shengru Wu, Sharon Huws, Junhu YaoNorthwest A&F University, China

Rumen microbiomehost geneticsheritabilitymetagenomemetabolomewhole-genome resequencingshort-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)Energy-corrected milkAcetate:propionate ratiogenome-wide association studyMicrobiome-wide association studymetabolome-GWASSLC30A9Prevotella sp.carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZy)glycoside hydrolase families (GH10, GH13, GH43, GH95, GH115, GH24)Pseudobutyrivibrio sp.9,10,13-TriHOMEstructural equation model (SEM)
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#3 of 4,041
2618m citations

Immunoregulation and male reproductive function: Impacts and mechanistic insights into inflammation

Yingjie Ma et al.Andrology202410.1111/andr.13772

Zhen‐Gao Sun, Shengtian ZhaoShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

male reproductive functionchronic inflammationspermatogenesistesticular immune privilegesperm qualitygonadal hormone secretionimmune cells in testescytokines in reproductionmale infertilityautoimmune diseases affecting fertilityenvironmental factors and fertilityinfections and male fertilityimmune attacks on reproductive tissuesspermatogenesis dysfunctionimmune regulation of reproduction
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#4 of 4,041
2318m citations

Rumen and hindgut microbiome regulate average daily gain of preweaning Holstein heifer calves in different ways

Sheng-Yang Xu et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01844-7

Tu YanChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Average daily gainpreweaning Holstein heifer calvesRumen microbiomehindgut microbiomePyramidobacterAcidaminococcus fermentansBifidobacterium pseudolongumbutyrate production4-hydroxyglucobrassicinrumen metagenomicshindgut metagenomicsrumen metabolomicshindgut metabolomicsplasma metabolomicsin vitro fermentationmicrobial isolationHost-microbiota metabolic interactionsgastrointestinal microbiome regulation
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#5 of 4,041
2218m citations

Melatonin alleviates heat stress-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in male dairy goats by regulating arachidonic acid metabolism mediated by remodeling the gut microbiota

Xinrui Guo et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01942-6

Yazhou Wang, Baohua Ma, Sha PengNorthwest A&F University, China

heat stressspermatogenesis dysfunctionmale dairy goatsmelatoninarachidonic acid metabolismgut microbiota remodelingsperm qualitytesticular tissueoxidative stressinflammatory stressintercellular barrier functionepididymisfecal microbiota transplantationamplicon-based microbiota analysisarachidonic acid metabolitestesticular injurysperm maturationreproductive performance
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#6 of 4,041
2118m citations

Succession of rumen microbiota and metabolites across different reproductive periods in different sheep breeds and their impact on the growth and development of offspring lambs

Yuzhu Sha et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01892-z

Shengguo ZhaoGansu Agricultural University, China

Rumen microbiomerumen metabolitesreproductive periodsHu sheepSuffolk sheepoffspring lamb growthreproductive hormone levelsimmune levelsrumen metabolomePrevotellaButyrivibrioRikenellaceae RC9 gut groupprotein digestion and absorptionamino acid metabolismacetatepropionatebirth weightintestinal immunitymilk quality
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#7 of 4,041
2018m citations

Single nucleus/cell RNA-seq of the chicken hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis offers new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development

Dong Leng et al.动物学研究202410.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.037

Dong LengChengdu University, China

hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axisSingle-nucleus RNA sequencingSingle-cell RNA sequencingLohmann layersLiangshan Yanying chickensPACAP signaling pathwaygonadotropin-releasing hormoneFSHLHprolactin signalinggranulosa cellsKIT signaling pathwaySEMA4 signaling pathwayrelaxin 3gastrin-releasing peptideCARTPTLHCGRFSHRfollicular maturationintercellular interactions
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#9 of 4,041
2018m citations

Extracellular vesicles-coupled miRNAs from oviduct and uterus modulate signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism and bovine early embryo development

Claudia L V Leal, D Rizos et al.Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology/Journal of animal science and biotechnology202410.1186/s40104-024-01008-5

D. RizosINIA-CSIC, Spain

extracellular vesiclesoviductal fluiduterine fluidmicroRNAslipid metabolismbovine embryo developmentin vitro cultureWnt signaling pathwayHippo signaling pathwayMAPK signaling pathwaybta-miR-148bbta-miR-134bta-miR-155early luteal phasemid-luteal phasematernal-embryonic communicationpost-transcriptional regulationembryo implantationlipid metabolism-related genescell proliferation
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#10 of 4,041
1918m citations

Effects of a range of effective inclusion levels of Asparagopsis armata steeped in oil on enteric methane emissions of dairy cows

P.S. Alvarez-Hess et al.Animal Feed Science and Technology202410.1016/j.anifeedsci.2024.115932

J. L. JacobsAgriculture Victoria Research, Australia

Asparagopsis armatabromoformenteric methane emissionsDairy cattlecanola oilmethane mitigationsulphur hexafluoride tracer techniquelactating Holstein-Friesiandry matter intakeMilk yieldmethane productionmethane yieldmethane intensitybromoform residues in milkdibromomethaneconcentrate supplementvetch hayEnergy-corrected milkdose-response relationship
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#11 of 4,041
1818m citations

Multiomics Analyses Provide New Insight into Genetic Variation of Reproductive Adaptability in Tibetan Sheep

Buying Han et al.Molecular Biology and Evolution202410.1093/molbev/msae058

Buying HanNorthwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Tibetan sheepBMPR1BPAPPAlitter sizelambing intervalgenome-wide association studySingle-cell RNA sequencingmural granulosa cellsFolliculogenesissteroidogenesismutually exclusive exons3D protein structure predictioncoimmunoprecipitationmonotocous sheeppolytocous sheepmulti-omics analysistranscriptomicsproteomicsmetabolomicsfecundity gene
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#12 of 4,041
1818m citations

Curcumin mitigates polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation and reducing intestinal mucosal permeability

Qin Yang, Zhen Wang et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-81034-5

Qin Wan, Zhen WangThe people's Hospital of Leshan, China

curcuminpolycystic ovary syndromeTLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathwayIntestinal permeabilitydehydroepiandrosteroneC57BL/6J micechronic inflammationtight junction proteinsZO-1occludinLipopolysaccharidetestosteroneLHestradiolinsulin sensitivityIL-17AIL-6TNFIL-10intestinal mucosal barrier
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#13 of 4,041
1818m citations

Supplementing vitamins and minerals to beef heifers during gestation: impacts on mineral status in the dam and offspring, and growth and physiological responses of female offspring from birth to puberty

Jennifer L Hurlbert et al.Journal of Animal Science202410.1093/jas/skae002

Carl R DahlenNorth Dakota State University, United States

vitamin and mineral supplementationbeef heifersgestationmaternal nutritionFetal programminghepatic mineral concentrationsseleniumcopperzinccobaltmanganesecolostrum compositionplacental mineral transferoffspring growth performanceblood glucoseBlood urea nitrogenfeeding behaviorfemale-sexed semenreplacement heiferspostnatal development
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#14 of 4,041
1718m citations

Alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites contribute to metabolic maladaptation in dairy cows during the development of hyperketonemia

Zhengzhong Luo, Zhenlong Du, Yixin Huang et al.mSystems202410.1128/msystems.00023-24

Zhengzhong Luo, Zhenlong Du, Yixin HuangSichuan Agricultural University, China

hyperketonemiaβ-hydroxybutyrateGut microbiomeTransition dairy cowsmulti-omics analysisFecal microbiotaVerrucomicrobiotaProteobacteriaFrisingicoccusRandom forestbranched-chain amino acidsketogenesis pathwaytaurodeoxycholic acidsecondary bile acidsexcessive lipolysisinsulin resistanceLipid mobilizationmetabolic maladaptationcalving-associated metabolismmicrobial metabolites
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#15 of 4,041
1718m citations

Impact of heat stress during close-up dry period on performance, fertility and immunometabolic blood indices of dairy cows: prospective cohort study

Barbara Stefanska et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-72294-2

Barbara StefañskaPoznań University of Life Sciences, Poland

temperature-humidity indexclose-up dry periodheat stressDairy cattleMilk yieldlactation performancefirst estrus postpartumCalving intervalservices per conceptionartificial insemination service perioddays openimmunometabolic blood indicesprospective cohort studyprepartum heat stressfertility parametersbarn microclimate
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#16 of 4,041
1718m citations

Late-gestation heat stress alters placental structure and function in multiparous dairy cows

L T Casarotto et al.Journal of Dairy Science202410.3168/jds.2024-25529

L T CasarottoUniversity of Florida, United States

late-gestation heat stressplacental structuremultiparous Holstein cowsactive coolingcotyledon morphologyplacental efficiencygestation lengthcalf birth weightRNA sequencingDNA methylationreduced representation bisulfite sequencingDifferentially expressed genesNPSR1PGFHSPB8MMP12PAPPA2vascular areathermoregulation adaptationscollagen biosynthesis
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#17 of 4,041
1618m citations

Luteolin attenuates <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> -induced endometritis through inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation via activating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway

Shouyang Gao, Yongjian Gao et al.Microbiology Spectrum202410.1128/spectrum.03279-23

Shouyang Gao, Yongjian GaoChina-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, China

luteolinStaphylococcus aureusendometritisferroptosisNrf2/GPX4 signaling pathwayNF-κB activationmyeloperoxidaseTNFIL-1βIL-6MDAFe2+GSHZO-1occludinHO-1Nrf2 knockdown miceendometrial barrier disruptionuterine inflammation
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#18 of 4,041
1518m citations

Consequences of gene editing of <i>PRLR</i> on thermotolerance, growth, and male reproduction in cattle

Camila J Cuellar et al.FASEB BioAdvances202410.1096/fba.2024-00029

Peter J. HansenUniversity of Florida, United States

PRLR geneprolactin receptorgene editingCRISPR/Cas9Thermotoleranceslick hair mutationAngus cattleJersey cattlevaginal temperature regulationrectal temperature regulationscrotal circumferencegrowth performancecarcass characteristicsmale reproductive functionlivestock heat stress adaptationSouth and Central American cattle populationsgene-edited cattleglobal warming impact on livestocknatural PRLR mutations
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#19 of 4,041
1518m citations

Metabolic reprogramming and heterogeneity during the decidualization process of endometrial stromal cells

Zhaoyu Jia et al.Cell Communication and Signaling202410.1186/s12964-024-01763-y

Kun Song, Jia YuanShandong University, China

endometrial decidualizationdecidual cellsendometrial stromal cellsSingle-cell RNA sequencingmaternal-fetal interfacestromal fibroblast cellsamino acid metabolismsphingolipid metabolismmetabolic heterogeneitydifferentiation maturitylipid metabolismmetabolic reprogrammingfirst trimester pregnancymenstrual cycle endometriumCell differentiationcell signaling propensity
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Reproductive Physiology in Livestock

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 ranking in livestock reproductive physiology underscores a strong emphasis on metabolic adaptation, systemic inflammation, and environmental stress during critical production phases. A primary focal point is the transition period around calving and lactation onset, where high metabolic demand triggers intense energy mobilization. Key circulating biomarkers such as non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and acute-phase proteins like haptoglobin feature prominently in evaluations of metabolic stress and subclinical ketosis. In parallel, research heavily investigates environmental impacts—specifically heat stress and temperature-humidity index dynamics—on reproductive performance and cellular function. Mechanistic studies highlight ovarian granulosa cell function, folliculogenesis, and luteal dynamics, examining how hyperthermia and systemic inflammation impair oocyte quality and hormone synthesis. Furthermore, the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF and IL-6 is widely examined to elucidate the systemic cross-talk between uterine or metabolic inflammation and fertility. Integrating rumen microbiome composition with host physiology also emerges as a central theme, reflecting a holistic focus on nutrition, immunity, and reproductive efficiency in modern livestock production.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparative analysis between the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 reveals a distinct shift from descriptive herd-level metrics toward high-resolution molecular, microbial, and cellular pathways. The most significant growth is seen in gut and rumen microbiome profiling, rising from zero baseline mentions in the previous cohort to 10% of high-impact papers in 2026. This surge highlights growing interest in how microbial metabolites modulate host energy balance and reproductive health. Similarly, targeted inflammatory mediators including IL-6, negative energy balance pathways, and specialized metabolic regulators such as sphingolipid metabolism experienced rapid expansion. Conversely, generic breed-level observational studies—such as broad evaluations of Holstein cattle performance—saw a sharp decline, dropping from 30% normalized frequency in 2025 down to 10% in 2026. Standalone measurements of standard reproductive steroids like progesterone and basic metabolite counts also diminished in favor of integrated multi-omics and mechanistic approaches. Overall, the field is evolving from empirical management studies toward precision physiology, investigating how subclinical inflammation, heat shock, and gut microbiota directly govern cellular fertility and embryo viability.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Reproductive Physiology in Livestock Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/reproductive-physiology-in-livestock/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459