Role of functional fatty acids in modulation of reproductive potential in livestock

Fatty acids are not only widely known as energy sources, but also play important roles in many metabolic pathways. The significance of fatty acids in modulating the reproductive potential of livestock has received greater recognition in recent years. Functional fatty acids and their metabolites improve follicular development, oocyte maturation and embryo development, as well as endometrial receptivity and placental vascular development, through enhancing energy supply and precursors for the synthesis of their productive hormones, such as steroid hormones and prostaglandins. However, many studies are focused on the impacts of individual functional fatty acids in the reproductive cycle, lacking studies involved in deeper mechanisms and optimal fatty acid requirements for specific physiological stages. Therefore, an overall consideration of the combination and synergy of functional fatty acids and the establishment of optimal fatty acid requirement for specific stages is needed to improve reproductive potential in livestock.

Automated summary

Fatty acids not only serve as energy sources, but also have significant impacts on the reproductive potential of livestock by influencing follicular development, oocyte maturation, embryo development, endometrial receptivity, and placental vascular development. However, there is a lack of studies on the deeper mechanisms and optimal fatty acid requirements for specific physiological stages. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the combination and synergy of functional fatty acids and establish optimal fatty acid requirements for specific stages to improve reproductive potential in livestock.