Project Grant 20266701545709

FEDERAL GRANT AWARD SUMMARY

The University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine received a $650,000 Project Grant from the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), CFDA 10.310, effective February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2029. The grant supports research designed to understand the biological mechanisms linking immune function, nutritional status, and reproductive health in livestock. Using young sheep models that simulate mild infection and limited feed availability—conditions common in agricultural operations—the research team will employ advanced imaging, molecular, and genetic tools to identify how brain cells controlling fertility become disrupted under stress, monitor reproductive hormone levels, and determine whether stimulating protective signaling systems can restore normal reproductive function.

The research deliverables will provide farmers, veterinarians, and animal health specialists with evidence-based knowledge to maintain livestock reproductive efficiency despite stressful environmental conditions. Findings are expected to inform new management practices and intervention strategies that minimize reproductive losses, enhance the economic sustainability of livestock operations, and support a more reliable and sustainable food supply. This work aligns with AFRI's priority area of Animal Health and Production and contributes to improving rural economies and food production capacity.