# Topics and Trends in Most Cited Reproductive Physiology in Livestock Papers, Class of 2026

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/reproductive-physiology-in-livestock/2026*

## 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.

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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

| Rank | Title | Authors | Corresponding authors | Affiliation | Journal | 18m citations | DOI |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| 1 | Phenotypic variation of dairy cows’ hematic metabolites and feasibility of non-invasive monitoring of the metabolic status in the transition period | Silvia Magro, Angela Costa, Damiano Cavallini, Elena Chiarin, Massimo De Marchi | Angela Costa | University of Padova, Italy | Frontiers in Veterinary Science | 28 | 10.3389/fvets.2024.1437352 |
| 2 | 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, Huifeng Liu, Xingwei Jiang, Zhihong Zhang, Xinfeng Hou, Yue Wang, Dangdang Wang, Zongjun Li, Yangchun Cao, Shengru Wu, Sharon A Huws, Junhu Yao | Shengru Wu, Sharon Huws, Junhu Yao | Northwest A&F University, China | Microbiome | 27 | 10.1186/s40168-024-01937-3 |
| 3 | Immunoregulation and male reproductive function: Impacts and mechanistic insights into inflammation | Yingjie Ma, Xinru Yu, Yi Fan Liu, Bihan Song, Zhengao Sun, Shengtian Zhao | Zhen‐Gao Sun, Shengtian Zhao | Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China | Andrology | 26 | 10.1111/andr.13772 |
| 4 | Rumen and hindgut microbiome regulate average daily gain of preweaning Holstein heifer calves in different ways | Sheng-Yang Xu, Xiao-Ran Feng, Wei Zhao, Yan-Liang Bi, Qi-Yu Diao, Yan Tu | Tu Yan | Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China | Microbiome | 23 | 10.1186/s40168-024-01844-7 |
| 5 | Melatonin alleviates heat stress-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in male dairy goats by regulating arachidonic acid metabolism mediated by remodeling the gut microbiota | Xinrui Guo, Jing Xu, Yongkang Zhao, Jie Wang, Tingshu Fu, Mathias L Richard, Harry Sokol, Miao Wang, Yu Li, Yang Liu, Hui Wang, Chenlei Wang, Xueqin Wang, Haiyang He, Yazhou Wang, Baohua Ma, Sha Peng | Yazhou Wang, Baohua Ma, Sha Peng | Northwest A&F University, China | Microbiome | 22 | 10.1186/s40168-024-01942-6 |
| 6 | 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, Xiu Liu, Xiongxiong Li, Zhengwen Wang, Pengyang Shao, Ting Jiao, Yanyu He, Shengguo Zhao | Shengguo Zhao | Gansu Agricultural University, China | Microbiome | 21 | 10.1186/s40168-024-01892-z |
| 7 | 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, Bo Zeng, Tao Wang, Bin-Long Chen, Di-Yan Li, Zhuan-Jian Li | Dong Leng | Chengdu University, China | 动物学研究 | 20 | 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.037 |
| 8 | The Impact of Heat Stress on the Physiological, Productive, and Reproductive Status of Dairy Cows | Dorin Ţogoe, Nicoleta Andreea Mincă | Nicoleta Andreea Mincă | University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania | Agriculture | 20 | 10.3390/agriculture14081241 |
| 9 | Extracellular vesicles-coupled miRNAs from oviduct and uterus modulate signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism and bovine early embryo development | Rosane Mazzarella, Karina Cañón-Beltrán, Yulia N Cajas, Meriem Hamdi, Encina M González, Juliano C da Silveira, Claudia L V Leal, D Rizos | D. Rizos | INIA-CSIC, Spain | Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology/Journal of animal science and biotechnology | 20 | 10.1186/s40104-024-01008-5 |
| 10 | 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, J. L. Jacobs, Robert D. Kinley, Breanna M. Roque, Aodán S. ó Neachtain, Subhash Chandra, V. Russo, S.R.O. Williams | J. L. Jacobs | Agriculture Victoria Research, Australia | Animal Feed Science and Technology | 19 | 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2024.115932 |
| 11 | Multiomics Analyses Provide New Insight into Genetic Variation of Reproductive Adaptability in Tibetan Sheep | Buying Han, Dehong Tian, Xue Li, Sijia Liu, Fei Tian, Dehui Liu, Song Wang, Kai Zhao | Buying Han | Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China | Molecular Biology and Evolution | 18 | 10.1093/molbev/msae058 |
| 12 | Curcumin mitigates polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation and reducing intestinal mucosal permeability | Qin Yang, Qin Wan, Zhen Wang | Qin Wan, Zhen Wang | The people's Hospital of Leshan, China | Scientific Reports | 18 | 10.1038/s41598-024-81034-5 |
| 13 | 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, Friederike Baumgaertner, Ana Clara B Menezes, Kerri A Bochantin, Wellison J S Diniz, Sarah R Underdahl, Sheri T Dorsam, James D Kirsch, Kevin K Sedivec, Carl R Dahlen | Carl R Dahlen | North Dakota State University, United States | Journal of Animal Science | 18 | 10.1093/jas/skae002 |
| 14 | 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, Tao Zhou, Dan Wu, Xueping Yao, Liuhong Shen, Shumin Yu, Kang Yong, Baoning Wang, Suizhong Cao | Zhengzhong Luo, Zhenlong Du, Yixin Huang | Sichuan Agricultural University, China | mSystems | 17 | 10.1128/msystems.00023-24 |
| 15 | Impact of heat stress during close-up dry period on performance, fertility and immunometabolic blood indices of dairy cows: prospective cohort study | Barbara Stefanska, Ewa Pruszynska-Oszmalek, Veerle Fievez, Cezary Purwin, Włodzimierz Nowak | Barbara Stefañska | Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland | Scientific Reports | 17 | 10.1038/s41598-024-72294-2 |
| 16 | Late-gestation heat stress alters placental structure and function in multiparous dairy cows | L T Casarotto, H N Jones, P Chavatte-Palmer, J Laporta, F Peñagaricano, V Ouellet, J Bromfield, G E Dahl | L T Casarotto | University of Florida, United States | Journal of Dairy Science | 17 | 10.3168/jds.2024-25529 |
| 17 | Luteolin attenuates <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> -induced endometritis through inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation via activating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway | Shouyang Gao, Yongjian Gao, Lifu Cai, Rui Qin | Shouyang Gao, Yongjian Gao | China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, China | Microbiology Spectrum | 16 | 10.1128/spectrum.03279-23 |
| 18 | Consequences of gene editing of <i>PRLR</i> on thermotolerance, growth, and male reproduction in cattle | Camila J Cuellar, Thiago F Amaral, Paula Rodriguez-Villamil, F Ongaratto, D Onan Martinez, Rémi Labrecque, João D de Agostini Losano, Eliab Estrada-Cortés, Jonathan R Bostrom, Kyra Martins, D Owen Rae, Jeremy Block, Quinn A Hoorn, Bradford W Daigneault, Jonathan Merriam, Michael Lohuis, Serdal Dikmen, João H J Bittar, Tatiane S Maia, Daniel F Carlson, Sabreena Larson, Tad S Sonstegard, Peter J Hansen | Peter J. Hansen | University of Florida, United States | FASEB BioAdvances | 15 | 10.1096/fba.2024-00029 |
| 19 | Metabolic reprogramming and heterogeneity during the decidualization process of endometrial stromal cells | Zhaoyu Jia, Wei Yuan, Ye Zhang, Kun Song, Jia Yuan | Kun Song, Jia Yuan | Shandong University, China | Cell Communication and Signaling | 15 | 10.1186/s12964-024-01763-y |
| 20 | Dynamic changes in the transcriptome and metabolome of pig ovaries across developmental stages and gestation | Binyun Pan, Jin Chai, Kaixin Fei, Ting Zheng, Yanzhi Jiang | Yanzhi Jiang | Sichuan Agricultural University, China | BMC Genomics | 15 | 10.1186/s12864-024-11122-3 |

## Topic trends

### 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*

### 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*

## 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
```