Climate change impact on reproduction performances and outbreak of infectious diseases in domestic animals
Authors: Emanuela Bazzoni, Roberta S. Salerno, Matteo Mellace, Wensheng Fang, Bin Huang, Ludovica Gigliotti, Aocheng Cao, and Bruno Tilocca
Ger. J. Vet. Res
2025.
vol. 5, Iss. 4
pp:15-25
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2025.4.0160
Abstract:
Climate change, driven primarily by rising greenhouse gas emissions, poses a major challenge to global ecosystems, including animal welfare and production systems. While natural processes contribute to climate variability, anthropogenic activities have caused unprecedented shifts, particularly affecting temperature patterns in Mediterranean and temperate regions. Animals display species-specific thermoregulatory responses to temperature fluctuations, which are essential for maintaining homeostasis. Deviations from optimal temperature ranges, influenced by environmental conditions and animal-specific factors, can disrupt physiological functions, including reproductive performance and resistance to infectious diseases. As climate change intensifies, understanding its impacts on animal health and productivity becomes increasingly critical. This review synthesizes recent research on how climate change affects reproductive inefficiency and the emergence of infectious diseases in domestic animals. It further discusses sustainable farming practices aligned with the One-Health framework, aimed at safeguarding environmental, animal, and human well-being. Moreover, the contribution of animal production to climate change, through greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation, underscores the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies. By integrating these insights, this work seeks to provide a foundation for addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change within animal agriculture and global sustainability initiatives.
Keywords:
Climate change, Fertility, Heat stress, Infectious disease, Oocyte, Spermatozoa
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