Nanotechnology and Reproductive Management of Farm Animals: Challenges and Advances

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The emergence of nanotechnology paves the way for innovating countless applications in the agricultural and livestock production sector. In the field of reproductive management of farm animals, nanotechnology offers unconventional and innovative solutions for the existing reproductive management challenges. The main concept of nanotechnology comes through their ability to modulate drug behavior and consequently their biological effects (e.g., male effect). In this review, the challenges of the current reproductive management in farm animals will be discussed in line with the possible solutions offered by applying nanotechnology. ABSTRACT: Reproductive efficiency of farm animals has central consequences on productivity and profitability of livestock farming systems. Optimal reproductive management is based on applying different strategies, including biological, hormonal, nutritional strategies, as well as reproductive disease control. These strategies should not only guarantee sufficient reproductive outcomes but should also comply with practical and ethical aspects. For example, the efficiency of the biological- and hormonal-based reproductive strategies is mainly related to several biological factors and physiological status of animals, and of nutritional strategies, additional factors, such as digestion and absorption, can contribute. In addition, the management of reproductive-related diseases is challenged by the concerns regarding the intensive use of antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistant strains. The emergence of nanotechnology applications in livestock farming systems may present innovative and new solutions for overcoming reproductive management challenges. Many drugs (hormones and antibiotics), biological molecules, and nutrients can acquire novel physicochemical properties using nanotechnology; the main ones are improved bioavailability, higher cellular uptake, controlled sustained release, and lower toxicity compared with ordinary forms. In this review, we illustrate advances in the most common reproductive management strategies by applying nanotechnology, considering the current challenges of each strategy.