Reproductive success is one of the most important factors affecting the sustainability and profitability of livestock farms

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine $650,000 through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) on February 1, 2026, to investigate the biological mechanisms linking immune system activation, nutritional stress, and reproductive dysfunction in livestock.

The project studies young sheep under controlled models simulating mild infection and limited feed availability to identify how brain cells controlling fertility become disrupted during inflammatory and nutritional challenges. Research activities include monitoring reproductive hormones, examining brain cell responses to stress, and employing imaging, molecular, and genetic tools to identify which neural pathways fail under adverse conditions and whether protective signaling systems can restore reproductive function. The work aims to provide knowledge supporting improved livestock management practices that minimize reproductive losses and strengthen economic stability of farming operations.

Performance occurs in Knoxville, Tennessee, with a period of performance from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2029. The award is classified as a Project Grant and carries $650,000 in obligated funding.

When animals experience illness, inflammation, or poor nutrition, their ability to reproduce is often reduced, leading to fewer offspring, lower milk production, and financial losses for farmers. These issues ultimately influence food supply, rural economies, and the affordability of animal-based products for consumers. Our preliminary work shows that certain cells in the brain that control fertility become disrupted when animals face infection or inadequate nutrition. This project seeks to understand whythis happens and to identify the biological signals that connect the immune system, nutrition, and reproductive health.to answer these questions, we will study young sheep using safe, controlled models that mimic mild infection and limited feed availability, conditions commonly encountered in real agricultural settings. We will monitor hormone levels that control reproduction and examine specific brain cells to see how they respond to stress. By using modern imaging, molecular, and genetic tools, we will identify which brain pathways fail during inflammation and poor nutrition and whether stimulating certain protective signaling systems can restore normal reproductive function. The ultimate goal of this work is to provide new knowledge that helps farmers, veterinarians, and animal-health specialists keep livestock healthy and reproductively efficient, even during stressful conditions. Long-term, this research may lead to improved management practices or new strategies that minimize reproductive losses, strengthen the economic stability of livestock operations, and support a more reliable and sustainable food supply for communities.